Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales

Last updated

Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales
Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales.png
FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive
Charges
  • Conspiracy to Provide and Conceal Material Support and Resources to Terrorists
  • Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy
  • Racketeering Conspiracy (RICO)
  • Alien Smuggling Conspiracy
Reward$250,000
Alias"Veterano de Tribus" [1]
Description
Born (1977-12-02) December 2, 1977 (age 47)
Ahuachapán, El Salvador
NationalitySalvadoran
GenderMale
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight175 lb (79 kg)
Status
AddedFebruary 21, 2025
CaughtMarch 17, 2025
Number534
Captured

Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales (born December 2, 1977), also known as "Veterano de Tribus", [2] is a Salvadoran former fugitive and an alleged senior leader of MS-13 responsible for criminal activities of the gang in the United States, Mexico, and El Salvador. [3] [4]

Criminal history

In December 2020, Roman-Bardales was indicted along with 26 other high-ranking MS-13 leaders by the Eastern District of New York. [5] He faces serious charges, including conspiracy to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, narcoterrorism conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy, and alien smuggling conspiracy. [3]

As part of MS-13's leadership, he is alleged to have been involved in directing acts of violence and murder, establishing military-style training camps, and obtaining military-grade weapons. The organization is also accused of manipulating the electoral process in El Salvador and negotiating with the Salvadoran government for benefits and concessions. [5]

He is also believed to have played a role in MS-13's expansion into Mexico, forging alliances with Mexican drug cartels and engaging in various criminal activities, including narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and arms trafficking. [6]

In September 2022, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Roman-Bardales in the United States on narcoterrorism and human smuggling charges. On February 21, 2025, he was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, replacing Arnoldo Jimenez. [3] [7]

On March 17, 2025, Roman-Bardales was apprehended in Teocelo, Veracruz, Mexico. The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort by both U.S. and Mexican authorities, who had been surveilling Roman-Bardales in the days leading up to his arrest. He was transported to Mexico City before being handed over to U.S. authorities and brought to the United States to face charges. [8] He was arraigned in New York City on March 19, 2025. [9]

References

  1. ↑ "Fugitive, High-Ranking MS-13 Leader Arrested on Terrorism Charges Following Joint Investigation With HSI National Gang Unit, International Operations and New York Field Office". June 18, 2024. Archived from the original on February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025– via United States Department of Homeland Security.
  2. ↑ "Fugitive, High-Ranking MS-13 Leader Arrested on Terrorism Charges Following Joint Investigation | Homeland Security". www.dhs.gov. June 18, 2024. Archived from the original on February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "FRANCISCO JAVIER ROMAN-BARDALES". February 21, 2025. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025– via Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  4. ↑ González Díaz, Marcos (March 9, 2023). "Qué es el "Programa México" con el que la Mara Salvatrucha se expandió en ese país (y cuál fue el golpe que lo dejó al borde de su desaparición)" [What is the "Mexico Program" with which the Mara Salvatrucha expanded in that country (and what was the blow that left it on the brink of its disappearance)]. BBC Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "High-Ranking MS-13 Fugitive Arrested on Terrorism Charges | ATF". www.atf.gov. Archived from the original on March 8, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Three High-Ranking MS-13 Leaders Arrested on Terrorism and Racketeering Charges". February 23, 2023. Archived from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025– via United States Department of Justice.
  7. ↑ Zraick, Karen (February 23, 2023). "U.S. Unseals Terrorism Charges Against Men Identified as MS-13 Leaders". The New York Times . Archived from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  8. ↑ Sorto, Marlon; Patiño, Daniela (March 17, 2025). "Mexico arrests alleged MS-13 leader on FBI's most wanted list". CNN . Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  9. ↑ "High-Ranking MS-13 Leader Arraigned in Long Island Federal Court on Terrorism and Racketeering Charges After His Arrest in Mexico". United States Department of Justice . March 19, 2025. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
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