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Feds sweep in on gang they blame for five murders in East Boston and Chelsea over past two years

Federal and local authorities are reporting the arrest of 56 MS-13 gang members, who they say recruited young teens at East Boston, Chelsea and Everett high schools and are to blame for five murders and 14 attempted murders of rival gang members since 2014 - including three teens murdered in East Boston over the past four months.

The US Attorney's office reports more than 400 law-enforcement agents fanned out across East Boston and towns north of Boston this morning.

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 Globe reports that among the people arrested are suspects in the murders of three Central American teenagers in East Boston - Cristofer Perez de la Cruz, Irvin Depaz and Wilson Martinez.

One alleged gang member, Hector Enamorado of Chelsea, has been charged for a 2014 Chelsea murder. He is scheduled for trial on June 6 in Suffolk Superior Court, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports. Also behind bars and awaiting trial for a different 2014 murder is Hector Ramires, 22, of Chelsea.

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.

Note: In the following list, "FNU" means "First Name Unknown," LNU means "Last Name Unknown."

The following defendants are charged with one count of racketeering influenced corrupt organization (RICO) conspiracy:

1. Oscar Noe Recinos-Garcia, a/k/a "Psycho," 22, of Somerville
2. Juilo Esau Avalos-Alvarado, a/k/a "Violento," 23, of Chelsea
3. German Hernandez-Escobar, a/k/a "Terible," 28, of Medford
4. Noe Salvador Perez-Vasquez, a/k/a "Crazy," 25, of Somerville
5. Santos Portillo-Andrade, a/k/a "Flaco," 31, of Everett
6. Herzzon Sandoval, a/k/a "Casper," 34, of Cambridge
7. Edwin Guzman, a/k/a "Playa," 30, of East Boston
8. Jose Hernandez-Miguel, a/k/a "Muerto," 27, of East Boston
9. Edgar Pleitez, a/k/a "Cadejo," 26, of East Boston
10. Christian Alvarado, a/k/a "Catracho," 26, of Everett
11. Cesar Martinez, a/k/a "Cheche," 35, of East Boston
13. Fnu Lnu, a/k/a "Caballo," of Everett
14. Erick Argueta Larios, a/k/a "Lobo," 31, of Cambridge
15. Luis Solis-Vasquez, a/k/a "Brujo," 25, of Everett
16. Jose Miguel-Hernandez, a/k/a "Smiley," a/k/a "Danger," 20, of Somerville (Deported)
17. Carlos Melara, a/k/a "Chuchito," a/k/a "Criminal,"19, of East Boston
18. Joel Martinez, a/k/a "Animal," 20, of East Boston
19. Jose Rene Andrade, a/k/a "Triste, a/k/a "Innocente," 24, of Somerville
20. Hector Enamorado, a/k/a "Vida Loca," 37, of Chelsea
21. Henry Santos-Gomez, a/k/a "Renegado," a/k/a "Pino," 30, of Revere
22. Rafael Leoner-Aguirre, a/k/a "Tremendo," 20, of Chelsea
23. Hector Ramires, a/k/a "Cuervo," 22, of Chelsea
24. Daniel Menjivar, a/k/a "Rocoa," a/k/a "Sitiko," 19, of Chelsea
25. Angel Pineda, a/k/a "Bravo," a/k/a "Jose Lopez," 20, of Chelsea
26. Jose Vasquez, a/k/a "Little Crazy," 22, of Somerville
27. David Lopez, a/k/a "Cilindro," a/k/a "Villano," of New Jersey
28. Bryan Galicia-Barillas, a/k/a "Chucky," 18, of Chelsea
29. Domingo Tizol, a/k/a "Chapin," 21, of Chelsea
30. Fnu Lnu, a/k/a "Violento," of Arizona
31. Oscar Duran, a/k/a "Demente," 24, of East Boston
32. Edwin Gonzalez, a/k/a "Sangriento," 20, of East Boston
33. Henry Josue Parada Martinez, a/k/a "Street Danger," 20, of East Boston
34. Josue Morales, a/k/a "Gallito," 20, of Chelsea
35. Kevin Ayala, a/k/a "Blancito," 22, of Chelsea
36. Mario Aguilar Ramos, 19, of Somerville
37. Rutilio Portillo, a/k/a "Pantera," 32, of Everett
38. Edwin Diaz, a/k/a "Demente," 18, of East Boston
39. Marvin Melgar, a/k/a "Ninja" 21, of Chelsea
40. Jairo Perez, a/k/a "Seco", 24, of Chelsea
56. Jose Adan Martinez Castro, a/k/a "Chucky", 26, of Richmond, VA

The following defendants are charged with drug trafficking conspiracy:

41. Ramiro Guerra, a/k/a "Camello," 42, of East Boston
42. Manuel Martinez, a/k/a "Gordo," 44, East Boston or Stoneham
43. Alex Alvarenga, 42, of Saugus
44. Manuel Flores, a/k/a "Manny", 41, of East Boston
45. Heiner Yovani Gomez, a/k/a "Fiero," 31, of Chelsea
46. FNU LNU, a/k/a "The Columbian"
47. Carlos Lovato, 32, of Chelsea
48. FNU LNU, a/k/a "Migue"
49. Luis Lnu

The following defendants have been charged with immigration violations and/or fraudulent document charges;

50. Jose Nelsin Reyes-Velasquez, a/k/a "Diablito", 22, of Malden
51. Oscar Rivera, a/k/a "Jose", 27, of Chelsea
52. Roberto A. Lopez, of Chelsea
53. Franklin Rodriguez, a/k/a "Hollywood", 35, of Chelsea
54. Oscar Ramirez-Cornejo, a/k/a "Vago",
55. Mauricio Sanchez, a/k/a "Tigre"
57. Elenilson Gustavo Gonzalez-Gonzalez, a/k/a "Siniestro"

Innocent, etc.

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Comments

I hope they post mug shots of these cretins. They are a cancer on our society.

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"Psycho, Violento, Muerta........Chucky."

"No way, no way. Tried it once, doesn't work. You got four guys all fighting over who's gonna be Violento, but they don't know each other, so nobody wants to back down. No way. I pick. You're Chucky. Be thankful you're not Gordo.

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"Pocho" to me.

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Wasn't it Scarface who wanted his nickname to be Shmorky?

The ones like "Triste" get me though. I picture a guy in sad clown makeup. So tough, much wow.

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aka "Inmate"

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One of the FNU/LNU refuses to give a name, ever. What does the gov't do when it's time for a trial?

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haven't seen anyone named Rico Suave yet. How 'bout they give him that name. Or Muffy.

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Carlos Danger? Or Princess Consuela Bananahammock?

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An inmate number to his picture and fingerprints.

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It's happened before. I think it was a guy who stole someone's identity but never did give up his own real name or even country of origin, so he's still serving out his sentence as John Doe, insisting his real name is (Stolen Identity).

And it was like the 7th identity he'd stolen, too. Weird stuff but does nothing to keep 'em out of jail.

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FNUs are protected informants who are going to testify against the rest, but are arrested to give the impression that he's not the snitch. RICO cases are never made without informants or undercovers.

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Interesting that the US Attorney's Office can't spell 'Colombian'

but, who knows, maybe FNU LNU graduated cum laude from Columbia University.

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Major victory for 18th Street!

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About time. Eastie was doing so well for a few years, and it's been sad to see all of the gang violence escalating now. Not to mention harmful to the immigrants who really are good neighbors, but end up losing trust in a crime wave like this.

If nothing else, I hope the remaining scumbags learn to keep it out of the T stations and away from innocent bystanders. This sweep must have been planned for a long time but the shooting at Maverick just could not be ignored.

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Couldn't ignore the shooting at Maverick T Station and the continued shootings at Maverick Landing (housing) that didn't have any hits recently but who wants that happening multiple nights in a week in front of your house?

People had really had enough, and the police were still probably gathering evidence. Although they reportedly knew who was involved, clearly you want to round them all up with a load of evidence that is solid so they don't bounce right back out again. The list of folks apprehended included a shorter list of folks who were apparently associated but were only brought up on false documents or immigration charges. They'll get deported and probably be heading back up - hence getting a solid case and locking them up is the better deal. Hopefully the public agitation and pressure didn't rush the case too much.

These things tend to be a question of balancing the best case you can build (largest haul of assholes) with the increasing risk of someone getting shot in the crossfire or another 14 year old stabbed for not joining the gang. Trust that the authorities know what they're doing. They did a good job on this one.

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You have Boston globe columnist Chris Cullen writing about these gangs, comparing them to the mafia, the guy has his head so far up his ass..and he brings Chelsea, Eastie, Revere, Everett down in the dumps. I live in East Boston and I feel safe, no matter if there are gangs lurking in the street, he talks about the shooting on maverick t station platform depicting as if east Boston is a war zone and you should stay away from the area. Mr Cullen should well know that this particular gang is worldwide there in Ireland, Milan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and other parts of Europe.

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But which cartel is MS-13 allied with? MS-13 doesn't get to distribute on their own without answering to the Mexicans.
If it's Sinoloa, this could be a short-term pause in their heroin distribution network in the area, before they find another local affiliate to do their bidding. If it's another cartel, then the other cartels stand to benefit by the vacuum left, as do the other gangs in the area. While it will take these guys off the streets, I don't see it making a difference in the drug trafficking market here.

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Did anyone from Eastie witness these sweeps this morning?

Tell us what you saw.

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Nothing really around Jeffries Point. I'm used to seeing frequent cop cars on Sumner (it's a main drag and the station is pretty close by). I did notice more SUVs than regular squad cars, I guess? But if there was any drama, it played out elsewhere.

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MS 13 is one of the most violent gangs. In Fairfax, Virginia gang members have been convicted or machete attacks and killings. They are notorious for incredibly savage and brutal attacks me killings.

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MS-13 horribly discriminates in its recruitment and hiring practices! The list is all Hispanic men and no women. How much clearer could this case be?

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Maybe you should do the honors and head to Maverick to pass out pamphlets about this matter

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Are you insinuating that Dan Duquette was involved in recruitment, somehow?

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I don't see him listed at all.

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WHOOSH!

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My first reaction was "Awesome! Take those bastards off the street!"

Then I remembered they've only been charged, not convicted, and I have to pretend to not assume they're guilty until the justice process has run its course.

It's hard to be a law&order liberal.

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Added.

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I've updated the original post with a link to a Globe report that includes the fact authorities are charging some of the people arrested today with the three murders over the past four months in East Boston.

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So who else thinks this will just lead to more street violence as the power vacuum is fought over by whatever gangs were playing second fiddle to MS-13 until this morning?

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