Nashville’s Homeland Security Task Force has charged 38 people, including eight Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members, with crimes related to drug trafficking, firearms, assault, and immigration.
President Donald Trump’s executive order, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” led to these arrests and criminal charges. The executive order established a Homeland Security Task Force attempting to eliminate cartels, foreign gangs, transnational organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking operations in America.
In several cases involving the MS-13 gang members, many of whom were in America illegally, they are accused of car theft and drug trafficking.
Debyi Bangeas, an MS-13 member, faces charges of carjacking, use of a firearm during that carjacking, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
MS-13 gang members Kevin Jasir Contreras Arita and Jose Pena, as well as MS-13 associate David Dubon-Enamarado, have been charged with drug trafficking, assault on a federal law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, and illegal re-entry into the United States.
Other MS-13 gang members also face charges related to drug trafficking. Leonel Vargas is accused of drug trafficking cocaine and marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being an illegal alien unlawfully in possession of a firearm.
Another MS-13 associate, Anthony Vargas, faces charges of being an illegal alien unlawfully in possession of a firearm. According to the Department of Justice press release, law enforcement allegedly found Vargas with a stolen firearm with ballistic associations to the homicide of a 14-year-old girl.
Acting U.S. Attorney McGuire said these criminal cases illustrate “law enforcement’s commitment to stop gang violence [and] combat the scourge of fentanyl overdoses here in Middle Tennessee.”
“Working together as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, these agencies have made our communities throughout Middle Tennessee safer and stronger,” he noted.
The Nashville Task Force consisted of personnel from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, and other federal agencies.
Earlier this year, the federal government announced the dismantling of an MS-13 cell operating in Nashville. Seventeen people, including 13 MS-13 gang members, were arrested on charges ranging from drug trafficking to firearm-related offenses.
The federal government declared MS-13 a foreign terrorist organization in February.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.|
