Eleven members of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, have been charged with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate racketeering acts involving murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, witness tampering and witness retaliation, and related narcotics and firearms offenses.
Earlier today, a superseding indictment was unsealed in federal court in Central Islip charging 11 members of the MS-13 with racketeering conspiracy. The indictment also includes charges of narcotics and firearms offenses. Four of the defendants were charged with committing the April 11, 2021 murder of Nazareth Claure in Far Rockaway, New York, whose body was recovered from the trunk of a car.
Three of the defendants – Onan Garcia-Lopez, also known as “Demente,” David Alberto Orantez-Gonzalez, also known as “Carlos Rodriguez-Gonzalez” and “Casper,” and Carlos Torres-Alfaro, also known as “Solitario,” – were arrested today and will be arraigned this afternoon by United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke.
The other eight defendants were already in federal and state custody and will be arraigned at a later date. The charges include racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, witness tampering and witness retaliation, and related narcotics and firearms offenses.
“The significant federal charges in the superseding indictment, including the brutal murder of a mother whose body was wrapped in trash bags, underscores the cruel depravity and senseless violence of the MS-13 gang,” stated Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) announced the arrests and charges in the superseding indictment. The charges include racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, witness tampering and witness retaliation, and related narcotics and firearms offenses. The indictment also includes charges of narcotics and firearms offenses.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), announced the arrests and charges in the superseding indictment. “Today’s superseding indictment and arrests send a clear message that violent gang members who commit such deplorable and cowardly crimes against humanity will be tracked down and held accountable for their actions,” said Patel.
The charges include racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, witness tampering and witness retaliation, and related narcotics and firearms offenses. The indictment also includes charges of narcotics and firearms offenses.
Defendant: Onan Garcia-Lopez, also known as “Demente”
Criminal Charges: Racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, witness tampering and witness retaliation, and related narcotics and firearms offenses
City and State: Central Islip, New York
Date: April 11, 2021
Sentence: To be determined
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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