More than 20 MS-13 gang members were arrested in California on Thursday on federal and state charges pertaining to alleged gang activities, the Justice Department announced Friday.
The charges included assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Recommended Stories
Additionally, two MS-13 members were also charged with with kidnapping and murder in aid of racketeering, and three others were charged with conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, according to two federal indictments unsealed Friday.
According to the Justice Department, seven firearms and more than 60 machetes and knives were also confiscated in connection with the arrests.
“Global criminal organizations like the MS-13 strike fear into our local communities here in the United States by committing violent and often brutal crimes in our backyards; but by all levels of law enforcement working together, their vicious and dangerous acts will not go unpunished,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ryan Spradlin said in a statement. “While transnational gangs may have tentacles that reach globally, Homeland Security Investigations does as well and is well‑equipped to intercept these threats to our national security.”
“The FBI is committed to aggressively investigating and disrupting gang activity,” FBI Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office Sean Ragan said in a statement. “Through the Safe Streets Task Force and the Transnational Anti-Gang Initiative, the FBI leverages resources to target MS-13–the first and only street gang to be designated by the U.S. government as a transnational criminal organization–by focusing on the gang’s structure and leadership. To ensure success, the FBI it committed to working in close cooperation with federal, state, local and foreign law enforcements partners to coordinate operations and share information.”
In total, 21 members received federal charges, such as kidnapping and murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and drug conspiracy. Six separate members also received state charges.
President Trump has called members of the gang “animals,” which prompted backlash from some lawmakers such as Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.
