Federal authorities have unsealed a superseding indictment charging two more alleged members of the Centrales Locos Salvatruchas (CLS) clique of MS-13 in Baltimore. The charges are part of a racketeering conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, bringing the total number of defendants to six. The latest indictment also includes allegations related to a fourth murder and an additional attempted murder.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland announced the indictment alongside officials from the FBI Baltimore Field Office, Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, Baltimore Police Department, and Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
According to court documents, since at least 2023, members of the CLS clique allegedly engaged in a pattern of criminal activity including multiple murders, drug trafficking, and extortion. The indictment names Manuel Alexander “Snappy” “23” Lara Morales as the leader of the CLS clique in Baltimore since about 2023. Prosecutors allege that Lara Morales and Eliseo Alexander “10” “Zorro” “Terrible” Lopez Alvarez authorized the killing of another gang member or associate on September 4, 2023, after a dispute over drug sales. On that day, several defendants reportedly lured the victim to a wooded area in southeast Baltimore and fatally shot him.
The indictment further alleges that on October 13, Miguel “Canabe” Riva Salvador; Josue Anibal “Flaco” Guerra Ramos; Olvin Josue “Elevado” Posas Alvarenga; and other CLS members sought out an individual who was set to testify against Riva Salvador in court. The group allegedly found this person behind his house and shot him; he survived after being struck in the groin.
Earlier indictments detail three additional murders attributed to CLS members between November 2023 and April 2024. These incidents involved using social media deception to lure victims or carrying out shootings on public streets.
Prosecutors stress that these charges are allegations: "Charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding."
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation: "U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, BPD, and DPSCS for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. O’Donohue III and Kenneth S. Clark, who are prosecuting the case, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for its assistance throughout the investigation."
This prosecution is part of broader federal initiatives aimed at targeting violent gangs and transnational criminal organizations such as MS-13 through interagency partnerships like Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which was established by Executive Order 14159 ("Protecting the American People Against Invasion"). HSTF focuses on eliminating criminal cartels operating both domestically and abroad with special attention to crimes involving children.
Additionally, Operation Take Back America is mentioned as another initiative mobilizing Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration networks and violent crime.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about MS-13 activity to contact law enforcement via FBI tipline at 1-866-STP-MS13 or HSI tipline at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
More details about ongoing priorities can be found at justice.gov/usao-md or justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
