The last defendant of 18 MS-13 gang members charged in a multi-year investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement was sentenced today. The investigation involved charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, obstruction of justice, and destruction of evidence.

According to court documents and trial evidence, the defendants were members and associates of MS-13’s Thompson Place Locos Salvatrucha clique, which has operated in Nashville, Tennessee, since at least 2014. MS-13, an international street gang mainly composed of Salvadoran or Central American individuals, seeks to protect its power, territory, reputation, and profits through murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, robbery, kidnappings, extortion, and other crimes. Cooperation with law enforcement is strictly prohibited under MS-13’s rules. Members must confront, fight, and/or kill rival gang members and retaliate quickly and viciously against anyone who disrespects or threatens the gang’s authority, power, reputation, or control of a neighborhood. Prospective members committed murders to join MS-13 or to gain respect among members.

In addition to drug distribution and firearms offenses, the defendants were convicted of conspiring and committing acts of violence, including:

On April 6, 2016, MS-13 members, including Jose Pineda-Caceres, murdered Victim 1, believing he was a rival gang member. They lured him to a field in Davidson County, Tennessee, and shot him multiple times.
On July 31, 2016, MS-13 members, including Pineda-Caceres, went to a South Nashville nightclub where Pineda-Caceres saw Victim 2, believed to be a rival gang member. As Victim 2 left with his sister, Victim 3, Pineda-Caceres chased their car on Interstate 24 and shot into it, killing Victim 3. Pineda-Caceres fled the country but was arrested upon his return in November 2017.
On Nov. 13, 2016, MS-13 members, including Jorge Flores, saw Victim 4 at a South Nashville nightclub. They followed him to his apartment in Antioch, Tennessee, and shot him. Victim 4 died from his injuries.
On Jan. 18, 2017, MS-13 members, including Flores, saw Victim 5 at a Wal-Mart in Antioch. They chased Victim 5’s car and shot into it, striking him multiple times.
In February 2017, MS-13 members, including Carlos Ochoa and Flores, conspired to murder rival drug dealers, Victims 6 and 7, and another MS-13 member. On Feb.18, 2017, they chased and shot at the victims’ car and a South Nashville nightclub. On Feb. 25, 2017, they shot Victim 6, causing life-threatening injuries.
On April 2, 2017, MS-13 members saw Victims 8 and 9 at a South Nashville nightclub. They informed other members who then retrieved an AK-47 rifle and shot Victims 8 and 9, killing them both.
On May 21, 2017, MS-13 members, including Flores and Kevin Tidwell, saw Victim 10 in a South Nashville nightclub parking lot. They shot him numerous times in his car, killing him.
On May 27, 2017, MS-13 members, including Tidwell, got into an altercation with Victim 11 at a convenience store. They chased Victim 11’s car and shot at it, killing him. The members later burned the truck used in the chase.
On June 17, 2017, MS-13 members confronted Victim 13 at a nightclub for falsely claiming to be an MS-13 member. They forced him into a car and beat him at a secluded location.
On July 25, 2017, at Serrano-Ramirez’s home, he assaulted Victim 14 for saying MS-13’s activities were causing problems. He choked Victim 14, sprayed bleach in his eyes, and broke his finger.
On Sept. 24, 2017, MS-13 members, including Luis Colindres, saw Victim 15 at a South Nashville nightclub. They followed him to his apartment complex, blocked his car, and shot him and another passenger, Victim 16, killing them both.
Later on Sept. 24, 2017, MS-13 members, including Flores and Colindres, lured Victim 17 to a secluded location for failing to repay a drug debt. They shot him and burned his body in Cheatham County, Tennessee.