MS-13 Members in Tennessee Face Multiple Charges

NASHVILLE – In a major crackdown on organized crime, thirty-eight defendants – including eight members and associates of MS-13 – have been charged with a litany of serious crimes across Tennessee. United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the charges.

This sweep is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF targets criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational organizations that have terrorized communities. The task force places a special focus on child trafficking and violent criminals.

Acting U.S. Attorney McGuire highlighted the collaboration between federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ATF, FBI, IRS-CI, USPIS, USMS, USSS, DEA, and local partners. The prosecutions are led by the Middle District of Tennessee’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Key cases include United States vs. Rodriguez and United States v. Mendoza, where Victor Alfonso Paez Rodriguez and Jesus Mendoza Viera are accused of trafficking large quantities of fentanyl from Mexico into middle Tennessee. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) assisted HSI in these investigations.

In United States v. Copeland, Trenell Copeland and four others face charges related to the trafficking of drugs into the Trousdale County Correctional Facility. The FBI led the investigation with support from the Tennessee Department of Corrections Office of Investigations and Conduct (TDOC-OIC).

Debyi Bangeas, an MS-13 member, is charged in United States v. Bangeas with carjacking and unlawful possession of a firearm, with ATF and HSI taking the lead. In another case, Kevin Jasir Contreras Arita and others were charged with drug trafficking and illegal re-entry into the United States.

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