West Texas Gang Member Receives 87-Month Prison Sentence

A known gang member in Midland was recently sentenced to 87 months (7 years and 3 months) in prison after he was caught possessing illegal firearms after an extensive criminal history with illegal narcotics.

Midland Gang Member Arrested

According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 43-year-old Manuel Trevino Padilla, a U.S. citizen and known member of the Tango Blast gang, was arrested on August 19, 2025, after illegal firearms were discovered in his residence.

The guns were found after a narcotics search warrant was obtained for officers to search his home.

As a result, Padilla was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the indictment on October 16. Padilla was then sentenced to 87 months in prison on January 20, 2026, by U.S. District Court Judge David Counts. Following his release, he will spend the next three years under court supervision.

Padilla's criminal history in Texas includes charges for possession of a controlled substance. He was also charged with the federal offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to ICE. These charges totaled 197 months of imprisonment.

What is the Tango Blast Gang?

Tango Blast refers to the regionally based prison or street gangs operating primarily out of major Texas cities. These groups typically comprise Hispanic prison inmates who formed these clusters out of security needs and watching each other's backs from rival gangs.

Tango Blast is also commonly referred to as a loose affiliation gang, meaning it's not often as structured as other notable organizations.

A notable initiation method for wannabe members is where they must endure a physical attack of two or more members. As long as they either hold their own during the unfair fight or refuse to flee, they will be welcomed into the gang.