Topline: A federal jury convicted three alleged MS-13 members in a sweeping racketeering case tied to a multistate killing spree that left nine people dead.
Published: July 1, 2026 7:30 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
Must Read
LAS VEGAS, NV — Three men accused of being members of MS-13 were convicted in federal court in Las Vegas on multiple charges, including murder and racketeering, in a case tied to nine killings in Las Vegas and Los Angeles between 2017 and 2018.
According to 8 News Now, federal prosecutors called the verdict a major win in a case that took years to build. The Associated Press reported the three convicted men were Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, David Arturo Perez-Manchame and Joel Vargas-Escobar.
Prosecutors said the defendants carried out brutal killings and other violent crimes to rise within the gang, often targeting people they merely suspected of being rivals. Defense attorneys challenged the credibility of cooperating witnesses who had taken plea deals.
The jury found Reyes-Castillo guilty of eight murders, five kidnappings and weapons charges. Perez-Manchame was convicted in two murders and two kidnappings, while Vargas-Escobar was convicted in one murder and firearm-related charges.
A fourth defendant, Alexander De Jesus Figueroa-Torres, accepted a plea deal before trial. The jury did not return guilty verdicts in two other killings tied to the broader case. The three convicted defendants now face mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole, and sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Three MS-13 Members Convicted in Las Vegas Murder Spree That Left Nine Dead
A federal jury convicted three alleged MS-13 members in a sweeping racketeering case tied to a multistate killing spree that left nine people dead.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 1, 2026 7:30 am ET
LAS VEGAS, NV — Three men accused of being members of MS-13 were convicted in federal court in Las Vegas on multiple charges, including murder and racketeering, in a case tied to nine killings in Las Vegas and Los Angeles between 2017 and 2018.
According to 8 News Now, federal prosecutors called the verdict a major win in a case that took years to build. The Associated Press reported the three convicted men were Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, David Arturo Perez-Manchame and Joel Vargas-Escobar.
Prosecutors said the defendants carried out brutal killings and other violent crimes to rise within the gang, often targeting people they merely suspected of being rivals. Defense attorneys challenged the credibility of cooperating witnesses who had taken plea deals.
The jury found Reyes-Castillo guilty of eight murders, five kidnappings and weapons charges. Perez-Manchame was convicted in two murders and two kidnappings, while Vargas-Escobar was convicted in one murder and firearm-related charges.
A fourth defendant, Alexander De Jesus Figueroa-Torres, accepted a plea deal before trial. The jury did not return guilty verdicts in two other killings tied to the broader case. The three convicted defendants now face mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole, and sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Three MS-13 Members Convicted in Las Vegas Murder Spree That Left Nine Dead
A federal jury convicted three alleged MS-13 members in a sweeping racketeering case tied to a multistate killing spree that left nine people dead.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 1, 2026 7:30 am ET
LAS VEGAS, NV — Three men accused of being members of MS-13 were convicted in federal court in Las Vegas on multiple charges, including murder and racketeering, in a case tied to nine killings in Las Vegas and Los Angeles between 2017 and 2018.
According to 8 News Now, federal prosecutors called the verdict a major win in a case that took years to build. The Associated Press reported the three convicted men were Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, David Arturo Perez-Manchame and Joel Vargas-Escobar.
Prosecutors said the defendants carried out brutal killings and other violent crimes to rise within the gang, often targeting people they merely suspected of being rivals. Defense attorneys challenged the credibility of cooperating witnesses who had taken plea deals.
The jury found Reyes-Castillo guilty of eight murders, five kidnappings and weapons charges. Perez-Manchame was convicted in two murders and two kidnappings, while Vargas-Escobar was convicted in one murder and firearm-related charges.
A fourth defendant, Alexander De Jesus Figueroa-Torres, accepted a plea deal before trial. The jury did not return guilty verdicts in two other killings tied to the broader case. The three convicted defendants now face mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole, and sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
