Gang task force makes multiple arrests for alleged involvement with 2014 MS-13 incident in Manassas

Manassas City Police Department
Crime Report
March 2, 2015

Multiple Arrests Made in Gang Investigation
On February 25, 2015, Manassas City Investigators, in conjunction with the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, City of Manassas Park Police, Virginia State Police, Fairfax County Police, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, charged multiple suspects for their alleged involvement in a case regarding gang recruitment by the street gang known as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). 

The execution of two search warrants in Reston, VA and on a suspect vehicle yielded evidence that led investigators to arrest four suspects in the case and serve a total of 43 warrants in all, with additional charges pending. 

The arrests concluded a nearly three-month-long investigation into an incident involving the assault of a 15-year-old female of Manassas, VA by members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) street gang during a gang initiation ritual on November 14, 2014. 

The incident, which illustrated the typical movement of the gang’s activity throughout the region and prompted the collaboration of multiple agencies, was initially reported to Manassas City Police in early December, 2014.  The suspects were held without bond in Fairfax County, where they await prosecution.

Arrested on February 25, 2015:

1)    IRAHETA PALACIOS, Jose Angel (AKA: “Little Crazy”), 30
Address: 11910 Winterthur Ln, Reston, VA 20191
Charged with: human trafficking; gang participation (9 counts); gang recruitment (2 counts); conspiracy to cause a juvenile to assist in the distribution of marijuana (3 counts); conspiracy to distribute marijuana; contributing to the delinquency of a minor; aiding illicit sexual intercourse; use of a vehicle to promote unlawful sexual intercourse; threaten force to encourage gang participation; and obstruction of justice
     
2)    HERNANDEZ-GARCIA, Carlos Albert (AKA: “Momia” and “Albert”), 20
Address: None fixed
Charged with: human trafficking; gang participation (6 counts); gang recruitment (2 counts); conspiracy to distribute marijuana; conspiracy to cause a juvenile to assist in the distribution of marijuana; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor
[No Photo Available]

3)    17yo male juvenile of Reston, VA
Charged with: human trafficking; gang participation (4 counts); gang recruitment (2 counts); and conspiracy to distribute marijuana

4)    16yo male juvenile of Reston, VA
Charged with: gang participation; and conspiracy to distribute marijuana

Anyone with information about these events is encouraged to call the Manassas City Police Department Investigative Services Division at (703) 257-8092 or Crime Solvers.  The Manassas City Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest in these cases.  The confidential 24-hour tip line is (703) 330-0330.

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