| MS-13 CLIQUE LEADER AND OTHERS INDICTED ON RICO CONSPIRACY CHARGES Baltimore, Maryland – Eight individuals connected to a Baltimore County-based MS-13 clique, including the leader of a New Jersey gang, now face a superseding indictment in federal court in connection with RICO Conspiracy charges. Several members and associates of the MS-13 clique known as "Los Ghettos Criminales Salvatruchas" (LGCS) allegedly committed firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, and robbery crimes associated with the conspiracy. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Christopher R. Heck, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Baltimore; Charles Doerrer, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore; and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD). The indictment charges Luis "Duke" Melendez Serrano, 19, of El Salvador; Kevin Melendez Serrano, 23, of El Salvador; Alex "30" Pena Martinez, 19, of Honduras; William "36" "Midnight" "Oso" Rivera Nolasco, 19, of Owings Mills, Maryland; German "19" "Viejo Raro" "Raro" Lisandro Benites Moreno, 32, of El Salvador; Melanie "Mala," Pina Verde, 22, of Owings Mills, Maryland; Joshua Palacios, 18, of El Salvador; and Nilson Montecinos, 21, of Honduras with allegedly participating in the conspiracy. According to the superseding indictment, prior to his incarceration, Benites Moreno led an LGCS clique in New Jersey. Then, since at least December 2024, Benites Moreno continued leading LGCS even though he was incarcerated in a New Jersey state prison. Benites Moreno facilitated the gang's firearm trafficking, drug distribution, money laundering, and violence. Additionally, Benites Moreno called into LGCS meetings that occurred in Baltimore County and exerted control over the gang when committing assaults and robberies. As also described in the superseding indictment, throughout 2025, Pina Verde allowed LGCS members to store firearms and narcotics at her apartment and permitted LGCS to conduct its business from her apartment. She also acted as an intermediary between Benites Moreno – who was in prison – and the non-incarcerated LGCS members. According to court documents, from at least January 28, 2025, through October 16, 2025, Luis Melendez Serrano, Pena Martinez, Rivera Nolasco, and Kevin Melendez Serrano conspired to knowingly traffic firearms to individuals who were ineligible to legally possess them. During this period, Luis Melendez Serrano, Pena Martinez, and Rivera Nolasco also trafficked controlled substances, including methamphetamine and marijuana. Additionally, in September 2025, Palacios, Montecinos, and other LGCS members committed multiple assaults and robberies as part of their membership and association with the clique. During one of these robberies, an LGCS member racked the slide of a handgun and placed it against the victim's head. Also, during these robberies, the LGCS members directed the victims to apologize to LGCS leadership, including Benites Moreno. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which seeks to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative and comprehensive response to the growing threat to public safety and national security. The HSTF integrates personnel, including law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, from federal agencies to combat crime in our communities. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI, ATF, and BCPD for their work in the investigation, along with HSI-Newark and the New Jersey Department of Corrections for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. O'Donohue III and Stanton M.B. Lawyer who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach. # # # |
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