Eight individuals associated with the MS-13 clique “Los Ghettos Criminales Salvatruchas” (LGCS) have been indicted on federal racketeering conspiracy charges in Baltimore, Maryland. The group, which includes a leader based in New Jersey, faces allegations related to firearms trafficking, drug distribution, and robberies.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, the indictment is part of a broader effort involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Baltimore County Police Department.
The superseding indictment names Luis “Duke” Melendez Serrano, Kevin Melendez Serrano, Alex “30” Pena Martinez, William “36” “Midnight” “Oso” Rivera Nolasco, German “19” “Viejo Raro” “Raro” Lisandro Benites Moreno, Melanie “Mala,” Pina Verde, Joshua Palacios, and Nilson Montecinos as participants in the conspiracy. Several are from El Salvador or Honduras; two reside in Owings Mills, Maryland.
Prosecutors allege that Benites Moreno led an LGCS clique in New Jersey before his incarceration and continued to direct gang activities while imprisoned. He allegedly facilitated firearms trafficking and drug distribution by calling into meetings held in Baltimore County and maintaining control over assaults and robberies carried out by LGCS members.
Throughout 2025, authorities say that Pina Verde allowed her apartment to be used for storing firearms and narcotics and served as an intermediary between Benites Moreno in prison and other gang members.
Court documents state that from January 28 to October 16, 2025, several defendants conspired to traffic firearms to people who were not legally allowed to possess them. During this period, some also trafficked methamphetamine and marijuana.
In September 2025, Palacios and Montecinos allegedly participated in assaults and robberies linked to their association with LGCS. During one robbery incident described by prosecutors, a handgun was placed against a victim’s head while victims were ordered to apologize to LGCS leadership.
This case is part of initiatives such as the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which aims to address threats posed by criminal cartels and transnational organizations through coordinated law enforcement efforts. It also falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide campaign led by the Department of Justice targeting illegal immigration and violent crime linked to organized gangs.
“All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” officials emphasized.
U.S. Attorney Hayes thanked HSI-Newark and the New Jersey Department of Corrections for their assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. O’Donohue III and Stanton M.B. Lawyer are prosecuting the case.
Further information about resources available from the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/ or https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
