Federal Indictment Charges Two MS-13 Gang Members With Murder In Aid Of Racketeering And Other Charges

A federal grand jury sitting in Nashville, Tennessee today, returned a five count indictment, charging two members of the MS-13 gang with murder in aid of racketeering, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Oscar Degaldo Flores, aka Flaco, 24, of El Salvador, and Luis Colindres, aka Listo and Joe, 21, of Honduras, were also charged with conspiracy; witness tampering; using, carrying and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and causing death through the use of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on September 24, 2017, Flores and Colindres shot and killed an individual identified as “H.Z.” and also shot and killed another individual identified as “Y.H.,” in order to prevent that individual from communicating with law enforcement about the commission of their crimes, including the murder of “H.Z.”  

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ahmed Safeeullah and Sunny A.M. Koshy of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case. 

An indictment in merely an accusation.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.