Alleged MS-13 gang leader linked to nearly a dozen murders, on the run for years nabbed in Long Island: DOJ

A elder person of the brutal MS-13 pack was arrested successful Long Island for his alleged relation successful astir a twelve murders, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. 

Joel "Momia" Vargas-Escobar was the alleged person of the "Parkview clique" of MS-13 operating retired of the Las Vegas area, national prosecutors said. 

JUDGE RULES ALLEGED MS-13 LEADER ARRESTED BY FBI TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY FOR NOW

The Department of Justice seal is seen during a quality league astatine the DOJ bureau successful Washington, May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Vargas-Escobar was deported to El Salvador successful 2018 but illegally reentered the state and had been connected the tally for astir 4 years, the DOJ said. 

An indictment from the District of Nevada charges Vargas-Escobar, and different alleged members of the "Parkview clique," with committing 11 murders implicit astir a twelvemonth successful Nevada and California. The indictment alleges that MS-13 members kidnapped victims and drove them to distant locations successful the mountains and godforsaken wherever they were tortured and killed.  

Prosecutors accidental Vargas-Escobar personally ordered astatine slightest 2 of the charged murders. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks earlier President Donald Trump astatine the Justice Department successful Washington, Friday, March 14, 2025. (POOL)

"The American radical are safer pursuing the apprehension of yet different MS-13 person acknowledgment to the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Joint Task Force Vulcan," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said successful a statement. "This violent entered our state illegally and is accused of orchestrating 11 murders — nether President Trump’s leadership, we volition not remainder until this violent enactment is wholly dismantled and its members are down bars."

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