BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A former Schuele Boys gang associate spoke publicly to children for the first time on Thursday about staying on the right path and learning from his mistakes.
"All the bad things that other people are doing, stay away from it 'cause you can get in trouble - a lot of trouble, and I'm paying for it now. I wish I would've made the right choices," he said. "It's all about the choices you make."
The former gang associate, who chose not to be identified, admits he did not always make the right choices, but speaking out is something U.S. Attorney William Hochul believes is a step in the right direction towards ending the cycle of violence.
"I frankly think it took a great deal of courage, but I believe, having seen the children's faces and heard their questions, that it was information that they very much benefited from," said Hochul.
Hochul says the former gang associate who spoke to kids is no longer taking part in any criminal activity, but he has pleaded guilty.
Hochul says 28 of the Schuele Boys gang associates have been arrested, and nine of them have been convicted so far.
"The gang did things like drive-by shootings, they possessed all kinds of firearms, they had drugs on dozens and dozens of occasions," said Hochul.
Prosecutors say the latest arrest was made Monday, when Julio Contreras, 31, an alleged cocaine supplier, was caught at the Texas-Mexico border.
Hochul said according to the indictment they've unsealed, 2015 is the conclusion of the Scheule Boys gang, but he says it's hard to tell if this is truly the end.
"Having somebody like our guest come here today is very important in light of the fact that he grew up in this area and he was willing to speak to these young children, and to show that even when you do get in trouble, you can make your life different. You can turn it around," said Assistant U.S. Attorney George Burgasser.