A leader of the infamous MS-13 gang, wanted by the FBI, was caught at the California-Mexico border earlier this month after being on the run for over three years, as per court records.
Officials stated that FBI agents apprehended Jandres-Parada in San Diego on March 7. He decided not to request bail the following day, according to CNN.
MS-13 leader arrested, terrorism charges revealed, co-leaders still at large
Freddy Ivan Jandres-Parada had been evading authorities since December 2020 when he was indicted, along with several other MS-13 members, on terrorism charges by the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York.
“He is alleged to be among the most senior leaders of MS-13 worldwide,” as per the FBI’s website. “Jandres-Parada has been charged with several terrorism offenses for his alleged role in ordering numerous acts of violence against civilians, law enforcement, and rival gang members, as well as drug distribution and extortion schemes worldwide.”
Two other members of the gang’s leadership, part of the “Ranfla Nacional” in Spanish, César Humberto López-Larios and Hugo Armando Quinteros-Mineros, are still on the loose.
All 14 suspected MS-13 members, with 11 already in custody for years, most of them in El Salvador, are facing federal charges. These charges include conspiracy to provide and hide material support for terrorists and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism that cross national boundaries, according to the indictment.
From global operations to violent acts, prosecutors detail MS-13’s alleged crimes
Federal prosecutors claim that the group operated “military-style training camps,” acquired weapons such as handguns, rifles, grenades, improvised explosive devices, and rocket launchers. Additionally, they allegedly orchestrated acts of violence and murder in El Salvador, the United States, and other locations.
The gang’s criminal “board of directors” controlled its operations worldwide and authorized “green lights” — which meant execution orders — to eliminate rivals, disloyal members, or law enforcement officials, according to the indictment.
Originating from a Los Angeles street gang formed by Central American immigrants in the 1980s, MS-13, also known as “La Mara Salvatrucha,” evolved into one of the country’s most violent criminal organizations. It has been linked to numerous brutal machete killings, including incidents on Long Island.
In 2017, at least a dozen suspected MS-13 members were indicted for their involvement in seven murders. These included the gruesome killings and mutilations of three Brentwood high school students in 2016.
