Grand jury indicts MS-13 gang members, reports DOJ

A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Texas indicted 10 alleged MS-13 gang members with a series of crimes.

The alleged crimes, according to the Department of Justice, include racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering, related firearms charges and obstruction of justice.

“The charges in this case reflect the Justice Department’s commitment to dismantling and disrupting MS-13, a criminal organization that sows violence, terror, and fear in communities across the country,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. “We will continue to work closely alongside our law enforcement partners to root out criminal organizations wherever they exist and break the cycles of violence that they perpetuate.”

The indictment alleges the defendants were leaders and members of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13. The indictment includes criminal charges related to seven murders, one attempted murder, and one murder conspiracy.

“Protecting the safety of our communities is fundamental to what we do at the FBI,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “This indictment is one example of the persistent work being done by the FBI and our partners to combat violent gangs like MS-13 that inundate communities with violence. The FBI is committed to reducing violent crime and combating the threat criminal enterprises pose. We are proud to work alongside our local, state, Tribal and federal enforcement partners in bringing violent members of criminal organizations like MS-13 to justice.”

The indictment alleges the crimes started around 2015.