MS-13 Members Accused Of Trafficking Drugs, Murder: Grand Jury

Woodbridge VA

07 January, 2022

10:24 AM

Description

VIRGINIA — A dozen men, including nine from northern Virginia, were indicted by a grand jury on Thursday after they were accused of involvement with drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Authorities said the men are members of the MS-13 gang who were also involved with a series of murders in Prince William County in 2019. Seven of the indicted men are from Woodbridge, one is from Annandale, one is from Manassas, and the remaining men are from New York. A full list of the defendants' names and residences is available in the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The indictment alleges that since 2017, members of the MS-13 gang have traveled from northern Virginia to Long Island, New York, to obtain cocaine and return it to the Washington, D.C., region. Prosecutors said gang members then sold the drugs in restaurants and nightclubs. Eight of the defendants face charges connected to four murders in eastern Prince William County in 2019. The murders took place between June and September 2019. Read more: Suspect In Woodbridge Double Murder Arrested In Fauquier County Official charges include racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, accessory after the fact to murder in aid of racketeering, witness tampering, and using a firearm during a crime of violence causing death. The punishment for each charge ranges from 10 years in prison to capital punishment. A federal judge would determine a sentence after considering federal guidelines and other factors. Have a story idea? Email me at [email protected] with tips, questions, comments, or concerns.