DOJ arrests three MS-13 leaders on terrorism, racketeering charges

The Department of Justice on Thursday announced the indictment of 13 high-ranking members of the MS-13 organization on charges of "racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide or conceal material support to terrorists, and narco-terrorism conspiracy."

Vladimir Antonio Arevalo-Chavez, Walter Yovani Hernandez-Rivera, and Marlon Antonio Menjivar-Portillo were expelled from Mexico on Feb. 22 and subsequently arrested by American authorities at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, the DOJ announced.

An additional four co-defendants remain at large while six more are believed to be in the custody of El Salvadorian authorities. The U.S. will seek their extradition.

FBI Director Christopher Wray celebrated the arrests and indictments, saying "[t]he FBI will continue to vigorously investigate and hold transnational organized groups like MS-13 and their leaders accountable for the continued violent and terrorist criminal activities they orchestrate."

"Today's indictment demonstrates the FBI's reach and commitment to seeking justice against those individuals who jeopardize American lives and liberty. We will never stop working in coordination with our international partners to protect our respective citizens from MS-13 and other gangs wherever they are," he continued.

The 13 defendants "play significant leadership roles" in the gang's operations in El Salvador, Mexico and Central America. The DOJ further alleged that they had engaged in terrorist activities against the El Salvadorian government including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices.

"Further, these defendants authorized and directed violence in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere as part of a concerted effort to expand MS-13's influence and territorial control," the DOJ press release asserted.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.