NJ Feds Charge 14 Reputed MS-13 Members

Federal authorities in Newark are announcing numerous charges against reputed members of a violent street gang.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman has scheduled a noon news conference to discuss the indictment against 14 alleged members of the MS-13 gang.

MS-13 stands for Mara Salvatrucha, a gang that originated in Los Angeles among immigrants from El Salvador in the 1970s and 80s and has since spread to parts of the U.S. and Central America.

Authorities say the alleged members charged Wednesday have been operating in the Plainfield area and many are already facing separate state charges. The Union County prosecutor's office has been investigating the gang for the last few years.

The indictment unsealed Wednesday lists charges including racketeering, murder, extortion, robbery, and murder for hire.

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