NASHVILLE – The final defendant in a multi-year investigation involving federal, state, and local law enforcement was sentenced to federal prison today, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The investigation included charges such as racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, obstruction of justice, and destruction of evidence.
Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski stated, “This result sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the senseless violence and intimidation committed by MS-13 in our district. All gang members and associates should be on notice that this Office will use every means possible to investigate, prosecute, and seek lengthy federal prison sentences for those who terrorize our community.”
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Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division added, “Today’s sentencing is another example of the ATF’s relentless commitment to reduce violent crime.” Watson emphasized the ATF’s dedication to working with federal, state, and local partners to dismantle criminal gangs.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Louisville Division’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Erek Davodowich remarked, “This case should serve as a warning to criminal gangs who terrorize our communities with violence and sow misery through drug trafficking; these activities will not be tolerated.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud stated, “HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners, remains vigilant in combating transnational gangs and holding criminals accountable for their egregious actions.”
David Rausch, Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, asserted, “The safety of our communities is paramount, and TBI remains committed to pursuing, along with our law enforcement partners, these violent individuals that engage in dangerous and illegal activities.”
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake commented on the case, acknowledging the combined efforts of specialized investigations and homicide detectives along with federal and state law enforcement colleagues in sending a clear message that such criminality will not be tolerated in Nashville.
Court documents and trial evidence revealed that MS-13 is an international street gang primarily composed of individuals of Salvadoran or Central American descent. The defendants were members and associates of the Thompson Place Locos Salvatrucha (TPLS) clique of MS-13, which has been active in Nashville since at least 2014. The gang committed various criminal activities, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking, to preserve its power, territory, reputation, and profits.
The illegal activities generated income to support gang leaders, members, and associates, including those incarcerated in the United States and El Salvador. Cooperation with law enforcement was strictly prohibited within the gang, with punishment for such actions being death.
The MS-13 members and associates were convicted of numerous acts of drug distribution, firearms offenses, and violent crimes, including:
– The murder of Victim 1 on April 6, 2016.
– The killing of Victim 2 and Victim 3 on July 31, 2016.
– The murder of Victim 4 on November 13, 2016.
– The shooting of Victim 5 on January 18, 2017.
– The conspiracy to murder rival drug dealers, Victims 6 and 7, in February 2017.
– Multiple armed carjackings near Nashville.
– The murders of Victims 8 and 9 on April 2, 2017.
– The murder of Victim 10 on May 21, 2017.
– The murder of Victim 11 and the shooting at Victim 12 on May 27, 2017.
– The assault of Victim 13 on June 17, 2017.
– The assault of Victim 14 on July 25, 2017.
– The murder of Victims 15 and 16 on September 24, 2017.
– The murder of Victim 17 later that evening on September 24, 2017.
The defendants received the following sentences:
– Jorge Flores, age 31: life plus 65 years
– Kevin Tidwell, age 30: life plus 30 years
– Luis Colindres, age 27: 55 years
– Jose Pineda-Caceres, age 25: 52 years and three months
– Gerson Serrano-Ramirez, age 36: 34 years
– Carlos Ochoa-Martinez, age 34: 30 years
– Francisco Avila, age 26: 30 years
– Franklin Hernandez, age 24: 28 years and 11 months
– Jason Sandoval, age 38: 20 years
– Oscar Delgado-Flores, age 30: 19 years and eight months
– Angel Daniel-Garcia, age 38: 13 years and 9 months
– Bryan Paredes, age 27: 10 years
– Jose Calderon, age 24: 10 years
– Hector Venturas, age 28: 12 years and 7 months
– Juan Melendez, age 25: 8 years
– Franklin Pineda-Caceres, age 23: 7 years and 6 months
– Sergio Alvarado-Ochoa, age 30: 2 years and 6 months
– Anabely Caceres, age 44: time-served sentence of 1 year and 1 month
The case was investigated by the ATF, HSI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, LaVergne Police Department, and Kentucky State Police. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ahmed Safeeullah and Brooke Farzad for the Middle District of Tennessee and Deputy Chief Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. More information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Detectives Seek Help in North Nashville Robberies
Detectives from the Violent Crimes Division are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying a group of juveniles, aged 10 to 14, suspected of committing at least four armed robberies in North Nashville last weekend, and have released images of the suspects. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.