What to Know
- DEA agents have brought the alleged East Coast crime boss of the MS-13 to New York to face murder conspiracy and drug-trafficking charges
- Miguel Angel Corea Diaz had been jailed in Maryland in a separate drug case, but was arraigned Thursday in Long Island
- Diaz was arraigned on three counts of operating a major trafficker and five counts of conspiracy to the second degree
Drug Enforcement Administration agents have brought the alleged East Coast crime boss of the notorious street gang MS-13 to New York to face murder conspiracy and drug-trafficking charges.
Miguel Angel Corea Diaz had been jailed in Maryland in a separate drug case. He was arraigned Thursday on Long Island, where authorities blame MS-13 for a wave of violence.
Prosecutors say Diaz ordered beatings and killings and directed the gang's drug operations in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Texas and elsewhere.
They say his street name was "Reaper."
Diaz was arraigned on three counts of operating a major trafficker and five counts of conspiracy to the second degree. If convicted of the top count, Diaz could face up to 25 years to life in prison.
Local
He is due back in court on May 10.
There was no immediate information on an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
Federal prosecutors believe MS-13, or the Mara Salvatrucha, has thousands of members across the country, mostly Central American immigrants.
In January, the Nassau County Fistrict Attorney's Office announced the indictment of 17 alleged members and associates of MS-13 on murder, conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking charges.
Fourteen other defendants charged in the indictment, in addition to Corea Diaz, have been arraigned to date. Another defendant is incarcerated out of state and awaiting extradition to New York, while the final defendant has yet to be apprehended.
