CHARLOTTE — A federal grand jury in Charlotte, N.C., charged 26 members of the violent gang known as MS-13 with federal racketeering and related crimes occurring in the United States and El Salvador, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C. F. Shappert for the Western District of North Carolina and Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division announced today.
The 55-count indictment returned on June 23, 2008, alleges that the defendants conspired to participate in a racketeering enterprise, called La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, in the United States and El Salvador. The indictment alleges that from 2003 to June 2008, the defendants conspired to operate as a gang; committed four murders; formed a drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine and marijuana; distributed narcotics; committed multiple robberies; illegally possessed firearms, including in connection with crimes of violence and narcotics offenses; committed acts of extortion and threats of violence; assaulted others, often with deadly weapons; and intimidated witnesses and obstructed justice. One of the gang’s leaders
allegedly exercised a leadership role with respect to various MS-13 gang activities from prison in El Salvador, communicated with MS-13 gang members in the United States and on multiple occasions received money wired by various MS-13 members. The indictment was returned on June 23, 2008, and unsealed today.
“Criminal gangs such as MS-13 increasingly recognize no borders, which means that international cooperation is more important today than it ever was before,” said Attorney General Mukasey. “This case highlights the importance of, and the successes that flow from, such cooperation in the disruption and dismantling of violent international criminal organizations.”
“Gang-related violence and drug trafficking will not be tolerated. The determined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement to root out gang activity is a top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Shappert. “Together, we will bring to justice those who disregard our laws and threaten our communities. Today’s announcement is not the conclusion. It is just the beginning.”
As alleged in the indictment, the four murders committed by MS-13 members occurred in Greensboro, N.C., and Charlotte. Those involved in the murders received assistance from other MS-13 members in avoiding detection from law enforcement. In addition, MS-13 members discussed plans to murder an individual who they believed was cooperating with law enforcement.
As further alleged in the indictment, MS-13 members were required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang, including violence against rival gangs. Participation in criminal activity by an MS-13 member, particularly violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by the gang leadership, increased the level of respect accorded that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and possibly resulting in a promotion to a leadership position.
“MS-13 and gangs like it use brutal violence and intimidation to control neighborhoods and further their illegal money-making activities,” said Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser, FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This indictment sends a resounding message that the MS-13 National Gang Task Force, the Transnational Anti-Gang Initiative, and other efforts of the FBI and our partners in the U.S. and overseas are proving to be effective tools in combating gang violence. Standing together, we are more formidable than any adversary.”
The 26 defendants
named in the indictment include:
Manuel de Jesus Ayala, a/k/a “Chacua”;
Alejandro Enrique Ramirez Umana, a/k/a “Wizard,” “Lobo”;
Heverth Ulises Castellon, a/k/a “Misterio,” “Sailor”;
Julio Cesar Rosales Lopez, a/k/a “Stiler”;
Juan Gilberto Villalobos, a/k/a “Smoke,” “Smokey”;
Elvin Pastor Fernandez-Gradis, a/k/a “Tigre,” “Flaco,” “Juan Alberto Irias,” “Freddy”;
Juan Ruben Vela Garcia, a/k/a “Mariachi”;
Jose Jamilcar Garcia-Bonilla,a/k/a “Psicopata,” “Sicario”;
Yelson Olider Castro-Licona, a/k/a “Diablo”;
Carlos Ferufino-Bonilla, a/k/a “Tigre”;
Nelson Hernandez-Ayala, a/k/a “Sixteen”;
Mario Melgar-Diaz, a/k/a “Nino”;
Alexi Ramos, a/k/a “Pajaro”;
Carlos Roberto Figueroa-Pineda, a/k/a “Drogo”;
Cesar Yoaldo Castillo, a/k/a “Chino”;
Alexander Granados, a/k/a “Gorilon”;
Michael Steven Mena, a/k/a “Cholo”;
Johnny Elias Gonzalez, a/k/a “Solo”;
Jaime Sandoval, a/k/a “Pelon”;
Santos Canales-Reyes, a/k/a “Chicago”;
Jose Efrain Ayala-Urbina, a/k/a “Peligroso”;
Oscar Manuel Moral-Hernandez, a/k/a “Truchon”;
Santos Anibal Caballero Fernandez, a/k/a “Garra”;
Manuel Cruz, a/k/a “Silencioso”;
Javier Molina, a/k/a “Big Psycho,” “Gringo”;
and Mario Guajardo-Garcia, a/k/a “Speedy,” “Iran Guerro-Gomez.”
Many of the defendants are unlawfully present in the
United States. Fernandez-Gradis and Guajardo-Garcia have also been charged with returning to the United States unlawfully after having been deported.
Somewhere TSO is wringing his hands, so I need to include this from FBI’s release.
“An indictment is not evidence of guilt. All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
26 down, 10K members to go.
From the Associated Press…
Osama bin Laden has aged a little since he was last seen in September 2007 but has put on little or no weight in the arid surroundings of the Afghan-Pakistani border — that, at least, is the assumption made by FBI forensic artists as the agency continues its relentless search for the al-Qaeda leader.
