Las Vegas (KSNV) — A high-ranking leader of the notorious gang MS-13, Joel Vargas-Escobar, also known as "Momia," was arrested in Long Island, New York, for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy responsible for 11 murders.

Vargas-Escobar was indicted in the District of Nevada and faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of murder in aid of racketeering, and associated firearms charges.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, "The American people are safer following the arrest of yet another MS-13 leader thanks to the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Joint Task Force Vulcan." She added, "This terrorist entered our country illegally and is accused of orchestrating 11 murders — under President Trump’s leadership, we will not rest until this terrorist organization is completely dismantled and its members are behind bars."

FBI Director Kash Patel remarked, "The arrest of yet another violent and dangerous MS-13 leader is a major win for our FBI agents, law enforcement partners, and safer American streets." He continued, "Our agents and analysts are continuously coordinating across multiple field offices and investigating with our valued partners to keep this work going — and we will not stop until that work is done."

According to court documents, MS-13 is a national and transnational gang with over 10,000 members in the United States and thousands more in Central America and Mexico.

The gang is known for its use of intimidation and violence, including murder, and engages in criminal activities such as burglary and drug trafficking.

Vargas-Escobar was allegedly a leader of the "Parkview" clique of MS-13 in Las Vegas, ordering two of the charged murders.

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The arrest operation was coordinated by the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division in Washington, D.C., with support from multiple field offices and the Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV).

JTFV, created in 2019, aims to dismantle MS-13 and other transnational criminal organizations.

Vargas-Escobar appeared for his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks in Central Islip, New York, and was ordered detained.

He will be transferred to the District of Nevada for trial, where he faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

The case is being prosecuted by the Department of Justice's Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.