Area MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced For Attempted Murder

CHELSEA, MA – A member of an MS-13 sect in Chelsea was sentenced Wednesday in federal court after pleading guilty earlier this year to racketeering and attempted murder, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Angel "Bravo" Pineda, 21, of Revere, was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison.

The Honduran national will also be subject to deportation upon his release.

Pineda pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity –known as a RICO conspiracy – and admitted to the attempted murder of a rival gang member, according to the USAO.

Prosecutors said on Sept. 8, 2014, Pineda and another MS-13 member, Jose "Little Crazy" Vazquez, stabbed a member of the rival 18th Street gang in Chelsea. Pineda was one of 61 defendants swept up in a January 2016 indictment targeting alleged leaders, members and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts.

MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence against rival gang members to be promoted and maintain membership in the group, according to authorities. Specifically, they are required to attack and murder rivals whenever possible.

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