A federal jury in Las Vegas, Nevada, has convicted three illegal alien members of the transnational criminal organization MS-13 on charges including nine murders, kidnapping, and racketeering, following an extensive investigation by the Homeland Security Task Force. Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, 30, known as “Molesto,” David Arturo Perez-Manchame, 27, known as “Herbi,” and Joel Vargas-Escobar, 30, known as “Momia,” were found guilty of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, attempted murder, and related gun offenses.
The defendants were members of MS-13's Parkview clique, operating in Las Vegas and California. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Vargas-Escobar led the clique until his arrest in late 2017, after which Reyes-Castillo became the ranking "Homeboy." Over approximately one year, these three men were responsible for nine murders, often involving the kidnapping of victims who were then tortured and killed in remote desert and mountain locations.
Among the brutal crimes detailed, Reyes-Castillo and other MS-13 members kidnapped a rival gang member in Mendota, California, in December 2017, murdering him with a machete and knives. In January 2018, Reyes-Castillo and others kidnapped and killed a victim believed to have defected to a rival gang, shooting and stabbing him multiple times before his body was found weeks later near Las Vegas. Perez-Manchame participated in the February 2018 kidnapping and murder of a perceived rival, who was stabbed over 200 times.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "Thanks to the tireless work of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors, these MS-13 members will be held accountable for the horrific violence they unleashed on U.S. communities during their year-long killing spree." Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva added that the Justice Department "will pursue these violent transnational criminal organizations in this exact way – charge these depraved gang members in bunches and try them for their brazen crimes."
Reyes-Castillo was convicted of RICO conspiracy, eight counts of murder in aid of racketeering, and multiple counts of firearm and kidnapping offenses. Perez-Manchame was found guilty of RICO conspiracy, two counts of murder, and two counts of kidnapping. Vargas-Escobar was convicted of RICO conspiracy, one count of murder, and related firearm charges. Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of life in prison without parole, with sentencing scheduled for November 10, 2026.
The convictions underscore the ongoing efforts of the FBI, HSI, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, working through the Homeland Security Task Force and Joint Task Force Vulcan, to dismantle violent transnational criminal organizations and protect American communities.