An indictment was unsealed today charging David Campbell, also known as Viejo Dan and Don David, 57, of Honduras, one of the principal narcotics and weapons suppliers to MS-13 in Honduras, with racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses. Campbell was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court after being extradited yesterday from Honduras. In addition to Campbell, the superseding indictment unsealed today also charges Yulan Andony Archaga Carías, also known as Alexander Mendoza and Porky, 42, of Honduras, the top leader of MS-13 in Honduras, and three additional MS-13 leaders, Juan Carlos Portillo Santos, also known as Juancy, 35; Victor Eduardo Morales Zelaya, also known as Cuervo, 49; and Jorge Alberto Velasquez Paz, also known as Chacarron, 41, for racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses.
"Over the course of decades, MS-13 has sowed unspeakable violence in communities here in the United States and abroad," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "With the arrest and extradition of the alleged principal MS-13 drug and weapons supplier, the Justice Department is making clear that those responsible for flooding our communities with violence and deadly drugs will be held accountable in an American courtroom."
"The FBI and our partners remain committed to the combating the violent criminal activity related to MS-13 occurring in communities across America," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "Criminals that engage in illegal activity targeting the American people should take today's announcement as a warning — they cannot hide beyond our borders. We are proud of the close collaboration with our partners which resulted in David Campbell having to face the consequences of his actions."
"Today’s extradition of David Campbell and the announcement of charges against four other MS-13 leaders for their alleged involvement in trafficking multi-ton loads of cocaine and for allegedly perpetrating unspeakable acts of violence in our communities is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the men and women of DEA to save lives and hold drug traffickers accountable," said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
"MS-13 is one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. "My office, the Justice Department, and our law enforcement partners will stop at nothing to pursue and hold accountable MS-13’s leaders, members, and associates, who, as alleged in the superseding indictment unsealed today, are responsible for large-scale drug trafficking and violence throughout the United States and Central America."
"Campbell’s arrest and extradition should serve as a clear message to those who support MS-13 and other transnational criminal organizations," said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). "HSI will not cease its relentless pursuit of all suspects involved in this case until they are captured and brought to justice."
"Every day, MS-13 ravages American neighborhoods with violence, drugs, and death," said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office. "David Campbell allegedly enabled the exportation of violence and poison onto American streets as Mara Salvatrucha’s primary supplier of cocaine and weapons. FBI Houston’s work to ensure Campbell now faces U.S. justice sends a simultaneous message to MS-13 around the world — we will not stop pursuing you, we will not stop dismantling your networks, and we will not rest until we’ve eradicated the violence you bring into our society."
If convicted, Campbell, Archaga Carías, Portillo Santos, Morales Zelaya, and Velasquez Paz face face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 40 years in prison.