MS-13 leader Joel Vargas-Escobar arrested in Long Island for 11 murders

Joel Vargas-Escobar, an alleged leader of the MS-13 gang's 'Parkview clique,' was arrested in Long Island, New York, after being a fugitive for nearly four years. The U.S. Department of Justice charged him with orchestrating a conspiracy linked to 11 murders that occurred in Nevada and California, with many victims reportedly tortured and killed in remote locations. Vargas-Escobar, who had been deported to El Salvador in 2018, illegally reentered the U.S. and is facing significant charges, including racketeering and murder. Federal authorities stated that his arrest contributes to a broader effort to dismantle MS-13, a gang notorious for its violent activities. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of the arrest in enhancing public safety and reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating gang violence. Vargas-Escobar will be transferred to Nevada for trial, where he faces possible life imprisonment if convicted.