Remberto Argueta, Murder, Georgia 2007

Two MS-13 Members Found Guilty of Murder and Armed Robbery

In a federal jury trial, Remberto Argueta, 27, of Lilburn, Ga., and William Espinoza, 31, of Norcross, Ga., were convicted of their roles in committing murders, attempted murders, and armed robberies in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties in northern Georgia.

The crimes, which took place in 2007, left a trail of destruction and fear in the community. Argueta and Espinoza were members of the notorious MS-13 gang, which has operated in the Atlanta area since at least 2005.

According to court records, the gang members staked out Gwinnett and DeKalb Counties as their home territory. The evidence presented at trial showed that Argueta and his fellow MS-13 members planned to rob Arpolonio Rios-Jarquin, a suspected drug dealer, at a hotel in April 2007. When Rios-Jarquin turned out to have his own gun, Argueta and his fellow MS-13 members engaged in a shootout with Rios-Jarquin that spilled outside the hotel room.

Argueta was also convicted of violent crime in aid of racketeering and a firearms offense related to the murder of Arpolonio Rios-Jarquin. Violent crime in aid of racketeering for murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, while RICO conspiracy involving murder carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

Remberto Argueta and William Espinoza will be sentenced at a later date before U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story. Each defendant was convicted of RICO conspiracy involving murder. Argueta was also convicted of violent crime in aid of racketeering and a firearms offense related to the murder of Arpolonio Rios-Jarquin. Espinoza was also convicted of violent crime in aid of racketeering and a firearms offense related to the attempted murder of Jayro Arango-Sanchez.

The convictions are a significant blow to MS-13, which has been a thorn in the side of law enforcement in the Atlanta area for years. The gang's violent tactics and disregard for human life have made them a target for investigators and prosecutors.

Remberto Argueta, aka Pitufo, 27, of Lilburn, Ga., and William Espinoza, aka Cheberria and Crazy, 31, of Norcross, Ga., were convicted today by a federal jury.

According to court records, MS-13 is an international gang that has operated in the Atlanta area since at least 2005. The gang members staked out Gwinnett and DeKalb Counties as their home territory.

HSI and our partners at the FBI and local law enforcement agencies have taken a strong stand against transnational gangs in Atlanta. These are just the latest convictions that show how successful our efforts have been.

Remberto Argueta and William Espinoza will face up to life in prison behind bars.

The case is being investigated by HSI and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Diclerico Jr.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/ms-13-members-convicted-murders-and-attempted-murders