El Paso Standard

An investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the Virginia State Police and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, has resulted in the extradition of a high-ranking leader of the MS-13 gang from Guatemala to the United States. Moises Humberto Rivera-Luna, also known as Santos and Viejo Santos, was extradited on March 4 to face racketeering conspiracy charges.

“Moise Humberto Rivera-Luna will have his day in court, but he stands accused of very serious crimes,” stated ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. He emphasized Rivera-Luna's alleged criminal activities and leadership role within MS-13 as significant threats to American safety.

Rivera-Luna appeared in court on March 5 in the District of Columbia following his extradition. The indictment against him includes charges such as racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, and assault with a deadly weapon. However, Rivera-Luna is specifically charged with racketeering conspiracy.

"The Virginia State Police is committed to protecting the public from violent gangs,” remarked VSP Superintendent Colonel Matthew Hanley. He noted that the extradition was a result of cooperation with ICE HSI Washington, D.C., highlighting future collaborative efforts.

The investigation revealed that while incarcerated in El Salvador, Rivera-Luna managed MS-13 operations around Washington. After his release and subsequent travel to Guatemala, he became subject to extradition proceedings.

MS-13 is recognized for engaging in various criminal activities including murder and extortion. According to investigators, some defendants were involved in assaults against rival gang members and extortions against those cooperating with law enforcement.

“The decade-long pursuit of this alleged violent gang member illustrates our office’s resolve to remain focused and bring to justice those who violate the law no matter where they are," said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia.

The case involves alleged crimes across multiple states including Maryland and Virginia. Communication between MS-13 members locally and internationally was frequent; orders for violence were reportedly issued from El Salvadorian prisons.

ICE identified Rivera-Luna as an international leader who allegedly directed local cliques via phone calls from prison alongside another leader, Marvin Geovanny Monterrosa-Larios. They aimed to eliminate MS-13 members suspected of cooperating with authorities.

Additional allegations suggest Rivera-Luna ordered murders including those of Louis Alberto Membreno-Zelaya in 2008 and Felipe Enriquez in 2010.

Multiple law enforcement agencies contributed significantly to this investigation which also involved assistance from Montgomery County’s State Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for Maryland and Eastern Virginia districts.

The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs played a crucial role in securing Rivera-Luna's extradition from Guatemala.

The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation aimed at dismantling top-level criminal organizations threatening national security.