Moises Humberto Rivera-Luna, known as Santos and Viejo Santos, 55, appeared in the District of Columbia following his extradition from Guatemala. Rivera-Luna faces racketeering conspiracy charges related to his alleged role as an international leader of the MS-13 gang.
Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated, “Keeping Americans safe from transnational criminal gangs is one of the Department’s top priorities.” She emphasized that Rivera-Luna's court appearance shows a commitment to justice for victims.
U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia highlighted the decade-long effort to bring Rivera-Luna to justice, stating it reflects their office's determination.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck of ICE HSI Washington, D.C., noted that Rivera-Luna stands accused of serious crimes. He added that Rivera-Luna's alleged activities and leadership pose a significant threat to American safety.
Rivera-Luna is one of seven defendants charged in a nine-count indictment returned on May 3, 2013. The indictment includes allegations such as murder in aid of racketeering and kidnapping. While incarcerated in El Salvador, he allegedly supervised MS-13 operations in the Washington area before moving to Guatemala.
The indictment details MS-13's engagement in various criminal activities including murder and extortion across multiple states. It claims frequent contact between members in Washington and El Salvador, with orders for violence being issued from prisons.
Rivera-Luna is accused of ordering murders including those of Louis Alberto Membreno-Zelaya and Felipe Enriquez. The case is under investigation by ICE HSI Washington, D.C., along with local police departments and other agencies.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted significantly with Rivera-Luna's extradition. Trial Attorney Lakeita F. Rox-Love and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty are prosecuting this case under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation.
It should be noted that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.