MS-13 Indictments: Stoneham Resident among 56 Indicted

STONEHAM, MA— A Stoneham man is among 56 alleged members of ”La Mara Salvatrucha,” or MS-13, who were indicted on federal racketeering charges Friday.

Manuel Martinez, a/k/a “Gordo,” 44, of East Boston and Stoneham was charged with drug trafficking conspiracy Friday. According to the release from the U.S. Justice department, the organization has particularly shocking allegations against it.

Violence is a central tenet of MS-13, as evidenced by its core motto -- “mata, viola, controla,” translated as, “kill, rape, control.” During the course of this investigation, this violence was directed against rival gangs, particularly the 18th Street gang, and anyone who was perceived to have disrespected MS-13. The 18thStreet gang, another criminal organization in Central America with members living in the United States, has been a longstanding rival of MS-13. MS-13 members and associates often commit murders and attempted murders using machetes, knives, and chains in order to intimidate rival gang members.

During the course of this investigation, it is alleged that MS-13 actively recruited prospective members, known as “paros,” inside local high schools from communities with significant immigrant populations from Central America, including Chelsea High School, East Boston High School and Everett High School. Prospective members were typically 14 or 15 years old. Under the strict rules of MS-13, as communicated to the local “cliques” by the leaders of MS-13 in El Salvador, these prospective members must engage in significant violent criminal activity on behalf of the criminal organization, usually the killing of a rival gang member, in order to become a full-fledged member of MS-13, known as a “homeboy.” The indictment alleges that several of the defendants are responsible for the murders of at least five people since 2014, in Chelsea and East Boston, as well as the attempted murder of at least 14 people.

The indictment further alleges that members of the MS-13 organization in Massachusetts sell cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and commit robberies, in order to generate income to pay monthly dues to the incarcerated leadership of MS-13 in El Salvador. This money is allegedly used to pay for weapons, cell phones, shoes, food, and other supplies for MS-13 members in and out of jail in El Salvador.

Depending on the drug quantity found, drug trafficking carries a maximum sentence of between 20 years and life in prison and up to five years of supervised release. Fines can also total between $1 and $10 million.

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Photo courtesy of the FBI