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

MS-13 Leader Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales Arraigned on Multiple Charges

Posted by
1 min read
March 21, 2025

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.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version