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An MS-13 gang leader linked to 11 brutal murders across the United States has been captured on Long Island after evading authorities for four years, dealing a significant blow to one of America’s most violent transnational criminal organizations.
Key Takeaways
- Joel “Momia” Vargas-Escobar, a high-ranking MS-13 leader, was arrested in Westbury, Long Island following a four-year manhunt
- Vargas-Escobar faces charges including racketeering conspiracy and murder-in-aid-of-racketeering for orchestrating 11 murders across Nevada and California
- The gang leader was previously deported to El Salvador in 2018 but illegally re-entered the United States
- MS-13 has approximately 10,000 members across 10 states and operates through intimidation, violence, and criminal activities
- The arrest was part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations
Dangerous Fugitive Finally Captured
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents successfully apprehended Joel “Momia” Vargas-Escobar in Westbury, Nassau County, ending a prolonged search for one of MS-13’s most dangerous leaders. Vargas-Escobar, who had been on the run since a 2021 federal indictment, is accused of co-leading MS-13 activities across Nevada and California, particularly in Las Vegas. The arrest marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against the transnational gang known for extreme violence and criminal enterprise operations throughout the United States.
According to federal authorities, Vargas-Escobar was deported to El Salvador in 2018 but illegally re-entered the United States. His capture involved coordination between multiple FBI field offices and law enforcement partners, demonstrating the extensive resources dedicated to neutralizing MS-13 leadership. The arrest was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, where Vargas-Escobar will face federal charges carrying potential life sentences.
A high-ranking leader of the notorious gang MS-13, Joel Vargas-Escobar, also known as “Momia,” was arrested in Long Island, New York, for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy responsible for 11 murders. https://t.co/cNmzvHbWdy
— KSNV News 3 Las Vegas (@News3LV) April 2, 2025
Brutal Criminal Activities Exposed
The indictment against Vargas-Escobar details disturbing criminal activities attributed to MS-13’s “Parkview” clique. Victims were allegedly kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in remote locations as part of the gang’s operations. MS-13 operates through a structured organization of subsets called “cliques,” each controlled by leaders known as “shot callers.” The gang maintains influence through intimidation and violence while profiting from various criminal enterprises.
“MS-13 operates through the use of intimidation and violence, including murder, and enriching members and associates through criminal activities, including breaking into houses and stealing firearms, jewelry, cash, and other items of value, and selling narcotics,” federal officials stated in their report on the organization’s operations.
The charges against Vargas-Escobar include racketeering conspiracy, murder-in-aid-of-racketeering, and firearms charges. If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence, reflecting the severity of his alleged crimes. The Justice Department has prioritized dismantling MS-13’s leadership structure as part of President Trump’s broader strategy to combat transnational criminal organizations threatening American communities.
National Security Victory
Law enforcement officials have hailed the arrest as a significant victory in the fight against organized crime and illegal immigration. MS-13, with approximately 10,000 members across 10 states and Washington D.C., remains one of the most dangerous criminal enterprises operating within American borders. The gang’s activities span multiple criminal ventures, from drug trafficking to extortion, murder, and human trafficking.
“The American people are safer following the arrest of yet another MS-13 leader thanks to the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Joint Task Force Vulcan. This terrorist entered our country illegally and is accused of orchestrating 11 murders — under President Trump’s leadership, we will not rest until this terrorist organization is completely dismantled and its members are behind bars,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
The operation that led to Vargas-Escobar’s capture was part of Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), created in 2019 specifically to target MS-13. This task force has since expanded its mission to include other criminal organizations threatening national security. The arrest demonstrates the effective coordination between federal agencies working to eliminate threats posed by transnational criminal organizations.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the significance of the arrest, stating, “The arrest of yet another violent and dangerous MS-13 leader is a major win for our FBI agents, law enforcement partners, and safer American streets. Our agents and analysts are continuously coordinating across multiple field offices and investigating with our valued partners to keep this work going — and we will not stop until that work is done.”
United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada reinforced the commitment to bringing gang leaders to justice: “No matter where a violent MS-13 fugitive hides or how long it takes our skilled law enforcement partners will find them. We will aggressively prosecute this defendant for his alleged role in a racketeering conspiracy involving murders in Nevada and California and seek justice for victims.”