Denver Gang Leader Pleads Guilty to Numerous Charges, Including Two Counts of Second-Degree Murder

DENVER — Denver District Attorney John Walsh has announced that Angel “Taz” Espinoza pleaded guilty today to two counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act.

Espinoza was the leader of the criminal street gang that identified itself as “2D$” (Too Damn Smooth, Too Damn Self-Made and/or Too Damn Styling).  In March of 2023, Espinoza was among thirteen members of 2D$ who were indicted on 254 felony counts, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated motor vehicle theft, assault, menacing, and robbery.  With Espinoza’s plea, all 13 indicted 2D$ members have now pleaded guilty.

Between 2019 and 2022, the 13 2D$ members were responsible for dozens of shootings that targeted rival gang members. One of the shootings resulted in the murder of Paul Baca Sr. in Denver on January 22, 2021. Another resulted in the murder of Christian Chirinos-Salazar in Denver on May 28, 2022. The indictment identified nearly 200 additional victims, most of whom were not involved in gangs but were either caught in the crossfire of this gang violence or misidentified as rivals by 2D$ members.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Espinoza will be sentenced on May 22 to 95 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

“Angel Espinoza was the leader of a brutal criminal organization that terrorized neighborhoods on the Westside of Denver and showed no regard for human life. The city is safer now that he will be off the streets, effectively for the rest of his life.  I want to acknowledge the Denver DA’s Organized Crime Unit and its prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates, as well as the members of the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAVEN).  Together, their outstanding work during the multi-year investigation dismantled this violent gang and led to the successful resolution of all 13 cases,” said DA Walsh.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jake Friedberg, Senior Deputy District Attorney Ashley Morgan and Associate Deputy District Attorney Kelsey Tipps prosecuted the case for the Denver DA’s Office.

About the Denver DA’s Office:

The mission of the Denver DA’s Office is to protect the community, to seek equal justice for all, and to improve the quality and fairness of criminal justice on behalf of the people of Colorado.   We achieve that mission through excellence in our work investigating and prosecuting crime, supporting victims and their families, working with the community to prevent crime, and providing fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

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