San Diego’s Michael Forzano vanguards contemporary white nationalism
San Diego has seen a resurgence of community defense groups as a response to the events of La Mesa, CA in May 2020. These groups, on paper at least, are focused on preventing the destruction of private property and keeping local citizens from harm in the event a protest action turns into a riot.
Michael Forzano is the leader of a group named Exiled Patriots (EP), founded after Forzano split from a similar East County group. EP doubles down on “defender” rhetoric but analysis calls this into question due to actions EP members have taken counterprotesting and the resumes of individuals affiliated with the group.
Public records research
- Michael Thomas Forzano, born January 22, 1983, current leader of Exiled Patriots.
- April 2, 2002 Forzano and three friends were charged with assault and battery of three men. He plead guilty to his involvement.
- May 10, 2007 picked up a DUI, plead guilty to the misdemeanor.
- April 25, 2008 he was charged with battery of his wife at the time. He plead guilty.
- May 31, 2008 picked up a second DUI. He plead guilty; his driver’s license was revoked for a number of years.
- Forzano currently resides in Santee, CA and works for Sharp Healthcare.
April 2002
April 2, 2002 — Forzano and three friends were charged with assault and battery of three men. Forzano plead guilty.
Co-defendants
Stefan Daniel Anaya
Bryan Cunningham
Andrew Brent O’Quinn
Victims
Vincent Barrigan
Randel Davis
Paul Paradis
Charge One
Assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury
Victims: Vincent Barrigan, Randel Davis, and Paul Paradis
Charge Two
Battery with serious bodily injury
Victim: Randel Davis
April 2008
April 29, 2008 — Forzano pleads guilty to assault and battery of his ex-wife, as well as destruction of personal property.
On or about April 25, 2008 Forzano used force and violence against his then wife. They were living together and have children together. He also damaged and/or destroyed more than $400 worth of personal property that was not his.
Charge One
Battery of a current or former significant other
Victim: Linn Forzano
Charge Two
Battery
Victim: Linn Forzano
Charge Three
Vandalism over $400
East County affiliations
A 2008 photo of Forzano being embraced by another man who is raising a seig heil spurred research into Forzano’s East County connections. Research identified the following gangs as active in the area Forzano resided in during the time he was growing up, and may explain his involvement with East County Elite.
East County White Boys
The East County White Boys (ECWB), a peckerwood gang in the Santee, California, El Cajon, California, and Alpine, California area. The gang was started in 1995. The gang’s main territory is Woodglen Vista Park in Santee, CA.
East County Boys
East County Boys (ECB) started in 1995 throughout El Cajon, Lakeside, and Santee. ECB grew into a sizeable organization and then eventually fractured into smaller groups throughout East County.
East County Elite
Around 2008, Forzano was involved with a group called East County Elite. In a photo pulled from Forzano’s public Instagram account, the man standing next to him raises a Nazi salute. His other arm is around Forzano’s shoulder.