Anthony "Tony" Casas

CASAS, Anthony ''Tony''
Died of pancreatic cancer on April 23rd, 2006 in Palm Desert, CA. Born in 1929 in Lavern, CA, Tony Casas was the first Latino Deputy Director of Corrections for the State of California. He worked in California corrections for 22 years. He was Associate Warden of San Quentin State prison from 1984- 1987. During that time as head of security operations he uncovered and thwarted an escape attempt by the infamous Charles Manson hours before it happened. Manson's followers were prepared to blow a hole out of the side of the prison that faced the San Francisco Bay and "disappear" Manson amidst a flotilla of boats. In the 1970's at the request of the Director of Corrections, Tony organized the State Prison Gang Task Force that first brought the criminal intricacies of the Mexican Mafia to light, until that time it was commonly thought that Mexicans were too disorganized and not intelligent enough to run organized crime. Due to Tony's diligence the lethal warring factions of "eMe" and La Nuestra Familia were finally brought to the attention of law enforcement. In 1979, during his tenure as associate warden at California Men's Colony, San Luis Obispo he wrote and produced the docu-drama "Basta" The cast were all ex-Mexican Mafia members who put their lives at risk to discourage youthful offenders from becoming involved in prison gangs. The film won an award at the prestigious San Francisco Film Festival and because of it's extreme realism is still in use today at youth detention facilities in California and Texas. Upon retirement from the State in 1987 Tony worked tirelessly with at risk youth to help them escape the atrocities of gang life, he was a juvenile counselor at St. John's School for Boys, White Water, CA. detention facility and a youth court coordinator for the Palm Springs Police Department. He was the technical consultant for Edward James Olmos ground breaking film about the Mexican Mafia, "American Me". Tony worked until days before his death as an expert witness in gang related death penalty cases and with the families of incarcerated youths to help insure their safety in the prison system and to give them a fighting chance at a "clean" life upon their release. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Dorothy Casas and his five children, Belinda Casas, Debbie Allen, Peter Casas, Tammie Mueting and Anthony Casas Jr. and six grandchildren. Services will be held at Riverside Veteran's Cemetery on Monday, May 1st, at 1:15pm. Catholic Mass will be held at 11:00 am at 25075 Cottonwood Ave., Moreno Valley.