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Press Release

Grand Jury Indicts Five MS-13 Members for Violent Robbery

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas

DALLAS - Five members of MS-13, a violent criminal gang, are in custody today after being indicted by a federal grand jury, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox. 

“MS-13 is one of the most ruthless gangs on the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox.  “This case – along with the eight MS-13 gang members we indicted earlier this summer -- underscores our commitment to dismantle this organization in and throughout our District and keep gangs from terrorizing our citizens.”

Carlos Enreique Mejia Caceres, aka “Machete,” Francisco Javier Argueta Montes, aka “Rostro,” Juan Carlos Andrade Rivas, Luis Santiago Marrego, aka “Shorty,” and Luis Fernando Salazar Angeles were charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interference with commerce by robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

On May 16, 2018, prosecutors say, Montes, Rivas, and Marrego disguised their identities and entered Plaza Ferrache Western Wear in Dallas, where they brandished a firearm and took money from an employee. They fled the scene with Angeles as the getaway driver, and divided the money between themselves, Angeles, and Caceres, who masterminded the scheme.

Each faces a maximum life sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

In July, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Texas indicted eight MS-13 members on charges in connection with their gang activities, including attempted murder in aid of racketeering; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. And just today, more than 20 individuals associated with MS-13 were arrested in California for assault and drug trafficking.

Contact

Erin Dooley, Public Affairs Officer
214-659-8707
erin.dooley@usdoj.gov

Updated August 31, 2018