An alleged leader of the Gangsters Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13 pled guilty today to participating in a racketeering organization that attempted to murder two rival gang members and extorted pimps trafficking prostitutes from Maryland into Virginia.

An alleged leader of the Gangsters Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13 pled guilty today to participating in a racketeering organization that attempted to murder two rival gang members and extorted pimps trafficking prostitutes from Maryland into Virginia.

Jose Anibal Vigil, 21, of Falls Church, pled guilty to a criminal information charging him with being a member of MS-13, a criminal racketeering enterprise. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

“Violent gangs spread fear throughout the community,” said U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride. “We are determined to work together – as federal, state, and local law enforcement – to put MS-13 out of business in Northern Virginia.”

According to the criminal information and the statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Vigil was officially jumped into MS-13 in 2008 and obtained the gang moniker “Silencio.” He became a leader of the GLS clique, which was involved in extensive criminal activity, including an attempt on May 27, 2008, to kill two rival gang members outside a youth center in the Culmore area of Fairfax County. Armed with a pick axe, a machete, and a chain, the MS-13 members attacked their rivals yelling, “We are going to kill you,” and “La Mara Salvatrucha.” The two rival gang members were seriously injured during the attack.

Vigil also admitted that in 2010, MS-13 members collected “protection money” from at least two prostitution organizations operating in Culmore. In exchange for payments, MS-13 members allowed the prostitution services to operate in the area, and one of the leaders of the prostitution services stated that he believed the gang would kill him if he did not pay. A portion of the funds collected was sent to MS-13 gang operations in El Salvador.