Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 10, 2011

Former Leader of MS-13 Gang in San Francisco Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges

Two Others Plead Guilty for Roles in MS-13 Gang

WASHINGTON — A former leader of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, pleaded guilty today in federal court in San Francisco to racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and the use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag for the Northern District of California.

Ivan Cerna, aka “Tigre,â€