Police: Violent Gang Initiation in Manassas Led to Four Arrests

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Image: Manassas City Police Department

A violent November incident in Manassas involving the street gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) led to the arrest last week of four alleged members following a three-month investigation, according to Manassas police.

On Wednesday, investigators with the Manassas City Police Department arrested and charged the suspects for their alleged involvement in recruiting for MS-13, according to a city police report. Along with Manassas police, the investigation involved the City of Manassas Park Police, the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, the Virginia State Police, Fairfax County police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The investigators have served a total of 43 warrants in all, with additional charges pending, the police report said.

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The investigation was triggered by the Nov. 14 assault of a 15-year-old Manassas female by MS-13 members during a gang initiation ritual, police said. It was initially reported to Manassas police in early December.

The incident illustrated the range and movement of the gang’s activities throughout Northern Virgnia and prompted the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies, Manassas police said.

The four suspects are being held without bond in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, where they await prosecution. They include Jose Angel Iraheta Palacios (in photo), 30, of 11910 Winterthur Lane, Reston, who is charged with human trafficking; gang participation (nine counts); and gang recruitment (two counts).

Nicknamed “Little Crazy,” Iraheta Palacios also is charged with conspiracy to cause a juvenile to assist in the distribution of marijuana (three counts); conspiracy to distribute marijuana; contributing to the delinquency of a minor; aiding illicit sexual intercourse; use of a vehicle to promote unlawful sexual intercourse; threatening force to encourage gang participation; and obstruction of justice.

The other three suspects include:

• Carlos Albert Hernandez-Garcia (nicknamed “Momia” and “Albert”), 20, of no fixed address, was charged with human trafficking; gang participation (six counts); gang recruitment (two counts); conspiracy to distribute marijuana; conspiracy to cause a juvenile to assist in the distribution of marijuana; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
• A 17-year-old male juvenile from Reston, charged with human trafficking; gang participation (four counts); gang recruitment (two counts); and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
• A 16-year-old male juvenile from Reston, charged with gang participation and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.