Matthew M. Graves U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
Moises Humberto Rivera-Luna, also known as Viejo Santos, has been extradited from Guatemala to the United States to face charges related to his alleged involvement in a racketeering conspiracy connected to at least one murder. The 55-year-old, who is described as an international leader of the MS-13 gang, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth, who ordered him held without bond.
The extradition was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck of ICE Homeland Security Investigations' Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Rivera-Luna is one of seven defendants named in a nine-count indictment issued on May 3, 2013. He faces a charge of racketeering conspiracy but not the other charges included in the indictment such as murder in aid of racketeering and kidnapping in aid of racketeering. It is alleged that while incarcerated in El Salvador, Rivera-Luna supervised MS-13 operations in Washington D.C., later traveling to Guatemala where he became subject to extradition.
U.S. Attorney Martin stated, “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, no matter how long it takes.”
Supervisory Official Bacon emphasized that "keeping Americans safe from transnational criminal gangs is one of the Department’s top priorities," highlighting the importance of Rivera-Luna's appearance in federal court as a step towards justice for victims.
Acting Special Agent Heck noted that Rivera-Luna "stands accused of very serious crimes" and praised cooperation with various law enforcement partners for making the extradition possible.
The indictment accuses MS-13 members of engaging in numerous criminal activities including murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, and obstruction of justice. It alleges frequent communication between MS-13 members in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and those incarcerated in El Salvador who encouraged violent acts.
Rivera-Luna is specifically charged with ordering murders within the United States. The indictment claims he directed killings via phone calls from his prison cell and sought retribution against MS-13 members cooperating with law enforcement.
This case is prosecuted by Trial Attorney Lakeita F. Rox-Love and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty with investigative support from ICE Homeland Security Investigations and MPD. Significant assistance was provided by several local police departments and attorney offices across Maryland and Virginia.
An indictment serves only as an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
