Ms-13 leader francisco javier roman-bardales arraigned on multiple charges

Brooklyn, NY – A leader of the MS-13 gang, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, was arraigned earlier today on charges related to directing the gang’s illegal activities in the U.S., El Salvador, and other countries over two decades. Roman-Bardales, a 47-year-old from Ahuachapán, El Salvador, had been a fugitive for nearly three years and was recently apprehended and expelled by Mexican authorities.

Roman-Bardales is accused of holding a significant leadership position within MS-13’s organizational structure, which spans several countries. In the related case of United States v. Henriquez, et al., a grand jury previously indicted 14 members. Extradition requests for 11 defendants have been submitted and are pending.

The indictment alleges activities that include violent acts aimed at influencing Salvadoran government policies and expanding territory through intimidation and violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has prosecuted numerous MS-13 members, accounting for over 80 murders in the region since 2009.

Roman-Bardales faces multiple charges, including racketeering and narco-terrorism conspiracies.

Shore News Network Staff Report Latest posts

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.