Nashville, TN. — Federal authorities announced Thursday that 38 defendants, including eight members and associates of MS-13, have been charged in a sweeping series of cases involving drug trafficking, firearms offenses, carjacking, assault on law enforcement, and immigration crimes. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
The prosecutions stem from investigations conducted by the Nashville Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) — part of a national initiative established under Executive Order 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” The task force brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to dismantle criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational trafficking networks operating in the United States.
“These efforts illustrate law enforcement’s commitment to stop gang violence, combat the scourge of fentanyl overdoses here in Middle Tennessee, and hold offenders accountable for the havoc they have wreaked on our community,” said McGuire.
Among the cases highlighted were:
U.S. v. Rodriguez & Mendoza: Two men illegally in the U.S. charged with trafficking fentanyl from Mexico into Middle Tennessee.
U.S. v. Copeland: A ring accused of smuggling narcotics into the Trousdale County Correctional Facility.
U.S. v. Bangeas: An MS-13 member charged with carjacking and firearms violations.
U.S. v. Contreras Arita: MS-13 members charged with drug trafficking and assaulting a federal officer.
U.S. v. Leonel Vargas & Anthony Vargas: MS-13 affiliates charged with drug trafficking, illegal firearm possession, and ties to a homicide investigation.
U.S. v. Sandoval & Toliver: Large-scale methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl distribution conspiracies linked to overdose deaths in Crossville.
Agencies involved include HSI, ATF, FBI, DEA, IRS-CI, USMS, TBI, and numerous local police departments. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katy Risinger, Joshua Kurtzman, and Emily Petro, with Risinger serving as Lead HSTF Attorney.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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