MS-13 Leader Pleads Guilty to Attempting Murder and Racketeering

Today, a leader of MS-13 plead guilty to participating a racketeering organization that plotted to kill members of two rival gang members and extorted pimps that trafficked prostitutes in Maryland and Virginia.

Jose Anibal Vigil, 21, of Falls Church, Va., pled guilty to a criminal information charging him with being a member of MS-13, a criminal racketeering enterprise. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 6, 2011.

According to the criminal information and the statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Vigil was officially jumped into MS-13 in 2008 and obtained the gang moniker “Silencio.” He became a leader of the GLS clique, which was involved in extensive criminal activity, including an attempt on May 27, 2008, to kill two rival gang members outside a youth center in the Culmore area of Fairfax County, Va. Armed with a pick axe, a machete, and a chain, the MS-13 members attacked their rivals yelling, “We are going to kill you,” and “La Mara Salvatrucha.” The two rival gang members were seriously injured during the attack.

Today, Vigil also admitted that in 2010, MS-13 members collected “protection money” from at least two prostitution organizations operating in Culmore. In exchange for payments, MS-13 members allowed the prostitution services to operate in the area, and one of the leaders of the prostitution services stated that he believed the gang would kill him if he did not pay. A portion of the funds collected was sent to MS-13 gang operations in El Salvador.

In a press conference this afternoon, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli mentioned that the guilty plea represented a strong collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s office and state and local authorities. Cuccinelli said:

Today’s plea represents the success of another strategic collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, local and federal agencies, and the Office of the Attorney General – and Virginia is safer for it. Each gang member has a choice before him — to give away his or her prime years to a jail cell, or to get an education, have a job, a family, and most of all, freedom. Today’s plea is a reminder that young people tempted by gang membership are choosing the wrong path. Your gang will not protect you from the law when you commit crimes. We will catch you and we will prosecute you.

MS-13 has a huge presence in Northern Virginia, particularly within Fairfax County. This was definitely a successful collaboration, and another criminal is off the streets

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About the author

Krystle Weeks

Growing up in Maryland typically does not yield a Republican. Fortunately, Krystle Weeks was one of the lucky few booted to the Commonwealth for her staunch conservative views. From an early age, she has been debating politics, and since 2006, she has been involved here in the Commonwealth helping Republican candidates to victory. Aside from politics, Krystle is a runner and a dynamite cook. You can email her here. Krystle also blogs at Crystal Clear Conservative and Charm Offensive Cooking.