http://www.newschannel5.tv

Click Here for Video

MS-13 arrests increase
Thursday, December 01, 2005 Updated: 09:46 AM


The arrest of the 15th member of the Mara Salvatrucha in the Valley in the last two months has people wondering what is behind the increase.

BROWNSVILLE - Investigators say a 33-year-old Guatemalan arrested for re-entering the US after deportation is a suspected Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member.

Customs officials in Brownsville today announced Manuel de Jesus Sandoval-Gonzalez is believed to be the 15th gang member arrested in the Rio Grande Valley sector in two months.

Sandoval-Gonzalez had several tattoos identifying him as a gang member.

His fingerprints identified him as a Guatemalan national with an extensive criminal history and prior deportation.

MS-13 is known for violence throughout Central America and the United States.