June 8, 2007
Prepared Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at Press Availability Following a Meeting of Central American Attorneys General

Good afternoon.
I would like to thank Mexico Attorney General Medina Mora for hosting this Summit, and all of the Attorneys General in attendance. I believe we have had very frank and productive discussions on some matters of great importance to all of our countries.

Protecting the safety of our citizens is perhaps the central mission of any government. Without basic safety and security, we cannot be free to enjoy the many blessings of liberty, democracy, and economic opportunity. (Read More)

April 26, 2007
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales Announces Expansion of Justice Department’s Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today announced the expansion of the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative to include four additional sites targeting dangerous street gangs and promoting prevention efforts to keep communities and neighborhoods safe. Attorney General Gonzales made the announcement during a visit to Rochester, N.Y., one of four sites that will receive $2.5 million in additional grant funding to combat gang violence. Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. were also selected to receive funding as part of the Department’s Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative.
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February 5, 2007
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales Announces Aggressive New Joint Initiatives with El Salvador To Combat Transnational Gangs

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – Today, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and Salvadoran President Elias Antonio Saca announced tough new collaborative efforts to combat transnational gangs such as MS-13 and 18th Street that operate in El Salvador, elsewhere in Central America, Mexico, and the United States. The comprehensive, four-part initiative is designed to help identify and prosecute the most dangerous Salvadoran gang members through programs to enhance gang enforcement, fugitive apprehension, international coordination, information sharing, and training and prevention. (Read More)

Prepared Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales at the Press Conference Following Bilateral Meetings in El Salvador

Good afternoon, and thank you. I am pleased to be here today on behalf of President Bush and to recognize the new Ambassador to El Salvador—Ambassador Glazer. And I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with President Saca, Attorney General Safie, and Minister of Public Security and Justice Figueroa to discuss issues of great importance to both of our countries.

Protecting the safety of our citizens is perhaps the central mission of any government. Without basic safety and security, we cannot be free to enjoy the many blessings of liberty, democracy, and economic opportunity. (Read More)

January 16, 2007
Fact Sheet: Department of Justice Efforts to Stop Gang Violence in America’s Communities

At the direction of the Attorney General, the Department has taken several important steps to address gang violence. First, the Department established an Anti-Gang Coordination Committee to organize the Department’s wide ranging efforts to combat gangs. Second, each United States Attorney has appointed an Anti-Gang Coordinator to provide leadership and focus to our anti-gang efforts at the district level. Third, the Anti-Gang Coordinators, in consultation with their local law enforcement and community partners, have developed comprehensive, district wide strategies to address the gang problems in their districts. All of the Department’s law enforcement components are engaged in a coordinated effort to combat gang violence. (Read More)

January 10, 2007
Thirteen Alleged Members of Ms-13 Gang Indicted on Racketeering Conspiracy Charges

WASHINGTON – Thirteen alleged members of the street gang called La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Tennessee on charges that they conspired to participate in a violent RICO enterprise responsible for killings and other violent crimes in Nashville, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Craig S. Morford for the Middle District of Tennessee announced today. The one-count racketeering indictment names the following 13 individuals, all of whom are currently in federal or state custody: (Read More)