An alleged leader of the notorious MS-13 gang, who authorities allege terrorized communities, targeted law enforcement, and orchestrated violence in the U.S. and abroad for decades, has been indicted in a federal terrorism conspiracy.
Elmer Canales-Rivera, 47, also known as “Crook de Hollywood,” was arrested on Nov. 9 by federal agents when he arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
He has been charged with conspiracy to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiracy to finance terrorism and narco-terrorism conspiracy, prosecutors said.
“We allege that Elmer Canales-Rivera, a founding member of MS-13’s ‘Twelve Apostles of the Devil,’ bears responsibility for the gang’s efforts over decades to terrorize communities, target law enforcement, and sow violence here in the United States and abroad,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in a statement. “The arrest of this high-ranking, longtime leader of MS-13 should serve as a warning to MS-13’s other leaders that the Justice Department will hold you accountable for your crimes.”
Authorities allege he was a part of MS-13’s leadership known as the ‘Twelve Apostles of the Devil.” He allegedly directed the material support for terrorists in El Salvador and the U.S., authorities said in the news release.
“This arrest makes it clear that there is no hiding place for leaders of criminal syndicates that threaten our communities,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
Elmer Canales-Rivera (Screenshot via La Prensa Gráfica Noticias de El Salvador/YouTube)
Indictments also name 27 of the highest-ranking leaders of MS-13 charged in the Eastern District of New York, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Canales-Rivera, his co-defendants, and other MS-13 leaders set up a highly organized command structure in 2002, made decisions and enforced orders, even in prison.
“They directed acts of violence and murder in El Salvador, the United States, and elsewhere, established military-style training camps for its members and obtained military weapons such as rifles, handguns, grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket launchers,” officials said in the release.
In 2012, Canales-Rivera and other members of the Ranfla Nacional negotiated with officials from the government of El Salvador (GOES), obtaining benefits and concessions from them, officials said.
“In order to extract those benefits and concessions from GOES, MS-13 engaged in public displays of violence to threaten and intimidate civilian populations, targeted GOES law enforcement and military officials, and manipulated the electoral process in El Salvador,” the news release said. “Canales-Rivera played one of the most prominent roles in MS-13’s negotiations and agreements with the GOES.”
Mexican authorities captured Canales-Riveral on Nov. 7 after he had been released from a prison in El Salvador and had illegally entered Guatemala, prosecutors said.
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