06:32 AM CDT on Friday, May 20, 2005
Dangerous gang moves into North Texas
http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/n ... e8319.html

By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA-TV

It is considered the most dangerous gang in America, and it has moved into Dallas-Fort Worth.

Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, is a group made up mostly of Salvadorans who entered the U.S. illegally through Mexico. Department of Homeland Security officials said once they are caught in the U.S. they are deported, but some continue to make their way back and onto the streets of North Texas.

The gang has an estimated 10,000 members across 33 states. Many are known by the Dallas Cowboys jerseys they wear, and police said they are ruthless. More than a dozen suspected members were recently arrested in Dallas.

To get into MS-13, a gang member has to endure a 13-second beating.

Jonathan Reyes is a former member and a two time convicted killer.

"You have to prove yourself as a gang member who is the meanest, and everyone has to be scared of you," Reyes said. "We know they are involved in very violent criminal activity, including homicides, rapes (and) sexual assault of minors," said Thomas Homan of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Wednesday night, ICE and Dallas police arrested suspected gang member Juan Delacruz Gomez, 21, for murder. They said he and 18-year-old Melvin Duarte shot Eduardo Galecia in the head in March.

Suspected MS-13 member Juan Delacruz Gomez was arrested Wednesday in connection with a March murder. Authorities have identified 140 MS-13 gang members in North Texas, and have arrested 17 of them so far.

In fact, law enforcement officials consider the gang such a high priority that they've created a special nationwide effort called Operation Community Shield to dismantle it.

The Department of Homeland Security considers gang members a threat because they smuggle drugs and illegal immigrants across the border.

"If they are smuggling aliens, that is a vulnerability on the border," Homan said. "These conduits could be used by terrorists to smuggle a terrorist into the country."

Authorities said MS-13 is now recruiting heavily in North Texas, especially targeting young illegal immigrants.
E-mail: rlopez@wfaa.com