Alleged MS-13 gang leader on the run for years nabbed in Long Island: DOJ

A senior leader of the notorious MS-13 gang has been apprehended in Long Island for his alleged involvement in nearly a dozen murders, according to a statement released by the Justice Department on Wednesday. Joel “Momia” Vargas-Escobar is believed to have been the head of the “Parkview clique” of MS-13, operating in the Las Vegas area, federal prosecutors disclosed.

Vargas-Escobar had been deported to El Salvador in 2018 but managed to reenter the United States unlawfully, eluding authorities for close to four years. An indictment filed in the District of Nevada accuses Vargas-Escobar and other alleged members of the “Parkview clique” of carrying out 11 murders over a span of approximately a year in Nevada and California. The indictment asserts that MS-13 members abducted victims and transported them to remote locations in the mountains and deserts, where they were subjected to torture and eventual death.

Prosecutors contend that Vargas-Escobar personally sanctioned at least two of the murders detailed in the indictment. Attorney General Pamela Bondi commended the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Joint Task Force Vulcan for the arrest, emphasizing the significance of dismantling MS-13 and ensuring that its members are held accountable for their actions.

“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,” Bondi stated. “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.”

The gravity of this arrest underscores the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and protect communities from the scourge of violence perpetrated by gangs like MS-13. It serves as a reminder of the commitment of law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law and ensure that those who engage in criminal activities are brought to justice.

This article was written by Bradford Betz, a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.