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A former gang leader in the Mexican Mafia who was also a one-time FBI informant stabbed Derek Chauvin 22 times at the Federal Correctional Facility in Tucson, Arizona.  John Turscak assaulted the ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on Black Friday leaving Chauvin near death.

Turscak has been charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

 Each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

He is scheduled to complete his current sentence in 2026. He has represented himself in numerous court matters, and no lawyer is listed in court records.

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Former Gang Leader Details

He is currently serving a 30-year sentence for crimes committed as a member of the Mexican Mafia.

He is scheduled to complete his current sentence in 2026. He has represented himself in numerous court matters, and no lawyer is listed in court records.

According to Federal Prosecutors, Chauvin was targeted for the killing of George Floyd.

Authorities revealed that Turscak saw the attack as a symbolic connection to the Black Lives Matter movement and also the Mexican Mafia's "Black Hand" symbol. 

The attack

The brutal assault was carried out with an improvised knife in the prison law library. And was only thwarted by the swift response of correctional officers who used pepper spray to subdue Turscak.

On November 24 after the stabbing, Chauvin was taken to a hospital for treatment. He was in critical condition initially but is reported to now be in stable condition. 

Chauvin, previously convicted for violating George Floyd's civil rights and second-degree murder, had been serving concurrent state and federal sentences. 

His lawyer, Eric Nelson, had advocated for keeping Chauvin out of the general prison population, anticipating potential threats to his safety.

Federal Prison System Challenges

This incident highlights ongoing challenges within the federal Bureau of Prisons. The system has faced increased scrutiny in recent years. 

The beating death of James "Whitey" Bulger in 2018 and Jeffrey Epstein's jail suicide in 2019 have raised concerns about the safety and security of high-profile inmates. 

An Associated Press investigation has uncovered systemic flaws, including sexual abuse, criminal conduct by staff, escapes, violence, and severe staffing shortages.

Turscak: Criminal and FBI Informant 

Turscak, once a leader of a Mexican Mafia faction in the late 1990s, went by the nickname "Stranger."

In 1997, he became an FBI informant, providing crucial information about the gang. But his cooperation was terminated when the FBI discovered he was still involved in criminal activities. 

Turscak's criminal history includes racketeering, conspiring to kill a gang rival, and plotting attacks on rival gang members. These criminal activities continued, leading to his current incarceration. Turscak pleaded guilty in 2001.

He said he thought his cooperation with the FBI would get him a lighter sentence.

“I didn’t commit those crimes for kicks,” Turscak said.

“I did them because I had to if I wanted to stay alive. I told that to the FBI agents and they just said, ‘Do what you have to do.”’

The challenges faced by the Bureau of Prisons have reportedly prompted a reevaluation of security measures within the federal correctional system.