SAN MANUEL INDIAN RESERVATION - In an unprecedented move, Chairman James Ramos has announced his tribe's decision to fine two convicted tribal members linked to a murder conspiracy and ban them from the reservation.

Decisions made by the tribal council, composed of all tribal members over age 21, typically remain private matters within the tribe and are never made public.

Ramos said the tribal council's Dec. 13 decision to ban Stacy Barajas-Nunez, 26, and her brother, Erik Barajas, 36, from the reservation and fine them a "considerable" amount of money for disorderly conduct speaks volumes to the tribe's position of holding its members accountable for errant behavior.

"This isn't just lip service. This is action in force," Ramos said. "We're actually taking action and showing through action, with overwhelming support, to impose fines and bans on our own tribal members."

Ramos wouldn't disclose how much the Barajases were fined or how long they will be banned from the reservation.

He did say the tribe is enforcing its decision and working with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's Office to ensure that Barajas-Nunez and Barajas remain in compliance.

Barajas' San Bernardino attorney, Chuck Nascin, declined to comment Friday.

Barajas-Nunez's attorney, Albert Perez Jr., didn't return phone calls seeking comment.

San Bernardino police and agents from the federal Drug

Enforcement Administration arrested the siblings in December 2006 during a joint investigation into the Mexican Mafia's methamphetamine rackets in the San Bernardino area.

Authorities said they learned during the investigation of a conspiracy hatched by the Barajas siblings and several others, including two-high ranking members of the Mexican Mafia, to kill Leonard Epps.

The murder conspiracy stemmed from an altercation Barajas had with Epps at the now-closed Brass Key bar in Highland. Epps, who remains in hiding, formerly managed the bar.

On Nov. 6, the Barajas siblings were sentenced to five years of probation for their roles in the murder conspiracy. San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Michael Dest told the pair their sentences weren't light and they could face "double digit" prison time if they violated their probation terms.

Two weeks after her sentencing, sheriff's deputies arrested Barajas-Nunez after she allegedly trespassed at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino. The tribe had previously ordered her to stay away from the casino.

Deputy District Attorney Douglas Poston said she violated her probation. One of the conditions of Barajas-Nunez's probation was not to break any laws.

Barajas-Nunez remained in custody without bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. A probation revocation hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23.

In his petition for probation revocation, filed Nov. 24 in San Bernardino Superior Court, Poston argues that Barajas-Nunez broke the law and violated the terms of her probation by trespassing and not having in her possession a copy of her terms of probation.

Barajas-Nunez is facing up to 20 years in prison, Poston said.