MS-13 continues to gain power in middle Tennessee

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MS-13 is a gang known for their extreme violence– torturing and killing people to gain power internationally.

And, as U.S. Attorney Don Cochran knows well, middle Tennessee is not out of this international gang’s reach.

“It’s never a large presence in terms of numbers but it’s a large presence in terms of its impact particularly in the neighborhoods that members operate in,” Cochran said.

Particularly southeast Nashville nightclubs and other businesses near Murfreesboro road.

Anywhere there’s a large Hispanic population — a recruiting hotbed for MS-13

“The Serrano Ramirez case is a good example of that and how they victimize the hispanic community,” Cochran said. “A DJ in that case out of one of the night clubs on Murfreesboro Road came to Mr. Serrano Ramirez, an ms-13 member and asked if they would tone down their disruptive behavior in his club.”

They responded by torturing him by spraying bleach in his eyes, putting plastic bag put over his head, they attempted to strangle him with the strap of an AK-47 rifle.

So what are they doing here? What is their business?

What is the goal? The chilling answer– violence and power.

“Unlike some gangs that are drug gangs that engage in violence in order to sell drugs, MS-13 is a violence gang, an intimidation gang that essentially sells drugs to support its violence,” Cochran said. “It’s the reason why even though they don’t have a large presence in middle Tennessee they’re particularly dangerous.”

Dr. Carter Smith is a professor at MTSU and specializes in how gangs operate.

He says MS-13 has cornered the market when it comes to violence.

“They have perfected the art of the threat of violence,” Smith said. “They don’t ever need to cut off somebody’s hand or head or leg or arm with a machete. They are known for being violent.”

He says MS-13 is an extremely sophisticated gang– comparable to the mob.

“The biggest issue is their ability to mobilize,” Smith added. “These guys are an insurgency.”

An insurgency that’s recruiting younger and younger, according to Cochran.

“To me they’re even more terrifying that they’re trying to recruit from high schools,” Cochran said. “That’s probably the most terrifying thing to me about what they’re trying to do in this community.”

Take this case— 19-year-old Franklin Pineda-Caceras. He’s facing charges for kidnapping a Nashville teen– in an attempt to force him to join MS-13. On top of that– firearm, drug and immigration charges.

“Most of the ones we’ve charged are also charged with illegal reentry and being illegal aliens here and possessing fire arms often illegally,” Cochran said.

And– it’s not always easy to recognize them.

“They’ll have real jobs during the daytime. Not all, but some. And those real jobs may be where you work,” Cochran said. “They may be in government or at least they’re associates may be in a government function , they might be running the neighborhood, they might be the contractor who’s doing your roof.”

Cochran says the best things parents can do to keep their kids safe is to stay involved.

“They tend to often want to force people to join their gang,” Cochran said. “So if you see any signs of that then reach out immediately to our office or the Metro Police Department or our federal partners at the ATF homeland security or the DEA.

Recognizing the reach of MS-13 and knowing middle Tennessee is not immune.

Signs to look out for in your kids:

A change in behavior

Grades drop or skipping school

Calls from unknown people

New friends

Obsession with certain colors or sports team apparel

Graffiti on books or walls

New nicknames

And unexplained money or jewelry