High-Ranking MS-13 Leader Arraigned for Terrorism Crimes

FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Extradited and Detained Pending Trial in Eastern District of New York

A senior leader of the violent transnational criminal organisation MS-13 has been arraigned in a federal court in Long Island, facing terrorism and racketeering charges. Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, known as "Veterano de Tribus," was a fugitive for nearly three years before being apprehended in Mexico and transferred to the United States. His indictment forms part of a wider case targeting MS-13’s command structure and their international criminal operations.

Arrest & Extradition

Roman-Bardales, 47, a native of El Salvador with ties to Mexico, was arrested by Mexican authorities in Veracruz on 17 March. Following his expulsion from Mexico due to his undocumented status, he was taken into custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, California, on 18 March. Just last month, he was placed on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List due to his leadership role in MS-13’s extensive criminal activities.

MS-13 Leadership

As a founding member of MS-13’s Ranfla en las Calles, the defendant played a pivotal role in the gang’s operations across El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States. His position within the criminal hierarchy enabled him to oversee MS-13’s Western Zone in El Salvador and drive the organisation’s expansion into Mexico.

The prosecution, led by the Eastern District of New York, underscores the impact of MS-13’s reign of terror on communities in the United States. “This case is another momentous step in dismantling this evil criminal enterprise,” stated U.S. Attorney John J. Durham. “Thanks to the relentless work of US law enforcement, he will soon face reckoning in a courtroom on Long Island.”

Terrorism Charges & Other Criminal Activities

Roman-Bardales and his co-defendants face a litany of charges, including:

• Racketeering conspiracy

• Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists

• Narco-terrorism conspiracy

• Alien smuggling conspiracy

The indictment alleges that MS-13 leaders, including Roman-Bardales, orchestrated acts of extreme violence, including targeted assassinations, bombings, kidnappings, and drug trafficking. Their activities aimed to exert control over governments, law enforcement, and communities in multiple countries. They reportedly ran military-style training camps, engaged in the smuggling and murder of migrants, and collaborated with Mexican cartels in illicit drug and weapons trafficking.

Implications & Ongoing Investigations

If convicted, Roman-Bardales faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with the possibility of the death penalty. His prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organisations.

The case was brought forward by Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), a multi-agency task force that includes the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and numerous U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country.

Authorities have pledged their unwavering commitment to bringing MS-13 members to justice. "MS-13 is a terrorist organisation, and this case reflects the Department of Justice’s ironclad commitment to putting terrorists behind bars," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

Conclusion

Roman-Bardales’ arraignment marks a significant step in the US government's crackdown on MS-13’s international criminal network. With multiple high-ranking leaders facing extradition and prosecution, law enforcement agencies continue to target the gang’s infrastructure, aiming to dismantle its operations and safeguard communities from further violence.

Read the press release here.