MS-13 Members, Racketeering Conspiracy, Tennessee 2023

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MS-13 Members Sentenced to Life, Nashville TN, 2023

Nashville, TN – In a sweeping crackdown on the notorious MS-13 gang, eighteen members and associates were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in 10 murders, 7 attempted murders, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses.

The last of the defendants was sentenced on [date], bringing an end to a multi-year investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case involved charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, obstruction of justice, and destruction of evidence.

According to officials, the MS-13 gang has been operating in Nashville since at least 2014 through its local clique, the Thompson Place Locos Salvatrucha (TPLS). The gang seeks to preserve and protect its power, territory, reputation, and profits through violence and intimidation.

Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski praised the efforts of prosecutors and law enforcement partners in bringing the gang members to justice, stating, ‘This result sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the senseless violence and intimidation committed by MS-13 in our district.’

Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the ATF added, ‘Today’s sentencing is another example of the ATF’s relentless commitment to reduce violent crime.’

The sentences ranged from 10 years to life in federal prison, with some defendants facing decades-long sentences. The convictions were a result of a collaborative effort between the Middle District of Tennessee, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the DEA, and the HSI.

Chief John Drake of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department noted, ‘The relentless work of our Specialized Investigations and Homicide detectives, combined with the strong partnership of our federal and state law enforcement colleagues, has again sent a clear message that Nashville will not tolerate this criminality.’