Cold Cases Cracked: Nine MS-13 Members Face Murder Charges

ByAva Sinclair

Nine alleged members of the notorious MS-13 gang have been arrested in connection with four brutal murders that went unsolved for nearly a decade in South Florida, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Friday. The arrests stem from “Operation Shadow of the Beast,” a multi-agency effort targeting gang-related homicides that occurred in Broward and Palm Beach counties between 2014 and 2015.

“Nine MS-13 terrorists have been taken off our streets and four cold murder cases have been solved thanks to the great investigative work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners,” Bondi declared during a press conference in Fort Lauderdale, according to The New York Post. “Let this be a lesson: no matter how long it takes, we will never give up in our pursuit of justice.”

In a stark warning that echoed the Trump administration’s hardline approach to gang violence, Bondi added: “More arrests are coming. If you are a gang member living in this country, I’d self-deport right now because we’re coming after you.”

Photo Source: Gage Skidmore/Pam Bondi/Creative Commons Wiki

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Disturbing Details Emerge in Cold Cases

Three of the suspects – Jose “Chango” Ezequiel Gamez-Maravilla, Wilber “Blue” Rosendo Navarro-Escobar, and Hugo “Power” Adiel Bermudez-Martinez – were charged last month in the 2015 killing of 22-year-old Gerson Vilelio Vasquez-Portillo, a rival gang member who was stabbed approximately 100 times before being shot in the head, NBC Miami reported.

Bondi revealed during the press conference that suspects allegedly referred to their victim as a “piñata” during the attack, which investigators believe was part of a gang initiation ritual designed to elevate members’ status within the organization. Vasquez-Portillo’s body was discovered in a vacant Palm Beach lot on May 3, 2015.

Another solved case involved the 2014 murder of 18-year-old Joel Antonio Canizales-Lara, whose remains were only recovered in 2021 after an extensive forensic excavation in Oakland Park. Wilson Tirado-Silva, Miguel Cabrera Granados, and Melvin David Cruz-Ortiz allegedly lured Canizales-Lara to a vacant field, stabbed him to death, and buried him in a makeshift grave after discovering he had falsely claimed to be an MS-13 member from El Salvador.

Gang Initiation and Revenge Killings

Authorities also announced charges in the murder of 18-year-old Omar DeJesus Gutierrez, who was allegedly shot dead in 2015 after flashing a rival gang sign. Investigators say alleged MS-13 leader Andy Tovar ordered Tirado-Silva to carry out that killing.

The fourth solved case involved the 2015 murder of 25-year-old Chrislet Ondina, who authorities say was killed as part of a gang initiation for one of the perpetrators. Tirado-Silva and Cruz-Ortiz face charges in this homicide as well.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, who joined Bondi at the announcement, delivered his own stern message to potential offenders: “If you come here in this community and decide that you are going to take a life, we are going to unleash every single resource to bring you to justice.”

Several family members of the victims attended the press conference. “We’re very sorry for your loss, and I know you have to relive this. Thank you for being here today,” Bondi told them.

Photo Source: https://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/ngic/gallery.htm/WikiCommons

A Transnational Threat

MS-13, which originated as a neighborhood street gang in Los Angeles but evolved into a transnational organization based primarily in El Salvador, has been a focus of intensified Justice Department efforts over the past decade. The gang has established strongholds throughout Central America and maintains thousands of members across the United States.

“These vicious and callous acts by MS-13 not only shattered lives but also undermined the safety and security of South Florida communities,” said Hayden P. O’Byrne, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. “We are sending a clear message to those who inflict violence, feed drug addiction, or cause other harm to the people of our district: We will find you; we will prosecute you; and we will apply the full force of American justice.”

The suspects face first-degree murder charges, and authorities are reviewing the cases to determine if they may qualify for the death penalty if convicted. Officials indicated that the investigation remains active, with additional arrests anticipated in the ongoing operation.

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Ava Sinclair

Ava is a financial analyst-turned-writer who translates complex economic trends into digestible insights. Whether it's Wall Street movements, market shifts, or personal finance strategies, Ava makes numbers make sense for everyone.

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