A federal grand jury has indicted four MS-13 members today on charges in connection with their MS-13 gang activities, including violent crimes in aid of racketeering; use, carry and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.
Charged in the three-count indictment is Fermin Gomez-Jimenez, 20; Manuel Martinez-Aguilar, aka “El Lunatic” and “Zomb,” 19; Moises Alexis Reyes-Canales, aka “Sicopita,” 19; and Marlon Cruz-Flores, 22, all of Annapolis, Maryland.
MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Frederick County, Maryland. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.
According to the indictment, on Oct. 23, 2016, the defendants conspired to and attempted to murder two victims in Annapolis, Maryland, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.
All of the defendants are currently detained on related state criminal charges.
