MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges in Three Murders

Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes admitted to his role in killings in Massachusetts and Virginia.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a severed hand, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the brutal nature of the MS-13 murders.The grisly details of MS-13's violent crimes expose the ruthless nature of the transnational criminal gang.Reston Today

Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes, a 28-year-old Salvadoran national and alleged member of the La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) criminal organization, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges for his involvement in three murders that occurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 in Massachusetts and Virginia.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by MS-13, a violent transnational criminal gang, and the FBI's efforts to dismantle the organization and hold its members accountable for their crimes. The brutal nature of the murders Paredes admitted to underscores the ruthlessness of MS-13 and the need for continued law enforcement action against the gang.

The details

According to court documents, Paredes is a member of the Uniones Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13, which operates in northern Virginia, southeastern Massachusetts, and elsewhere. In July 2020, Paredes allegedly lured his 27-year-old cousin to a family party in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and then shot and killed him, claiming the victim had failed to 'check in' with MS-13 leadership. Paredes also allegedly conspired to kill a witness to this murder while he was in state custody. In June 2019, Paredes and other ULS members allegedly conspired to murder people who frequently gathered in a wooded area in Reston, Virginia, shooting and slashing one victim with a machete. On August 25, 2018, Paredes and other ULS members allegedly met in New Bedford, beat and strangled an associate of MS-13's Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique, and then dismembered and buried the victim's remains.

  • On July 14, 2020, Paredes allegedly shot and killed his 27-year-old cousin near Horseneck Road in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
  • In June 2019, Paredes and other ULS members allegedly conspired to murder people in a wooded area in Reston, Virginia.
  • On August 25, 2018, Paredes and other ULS members allegedly met in New Bedford and murdered an associate of MS-13's Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique.

The players

Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes

A 28-year-old Salvadoran national and alleged member of the La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) criminal organization who pleaded guilty to racketeering charges for his involvement in three murders.

La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)

A violent, transnational criminal organization that is involved in murder, assault, extortion, kidnapping, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking.

Uniones Locos Salvatrucha (ULS)

The MS-13 clique that Paredes is a member of, which operates in northern Virginia, southeastern Massachusetts, and elsewhere in the United States.

Directos Locos Salvatrucha

Another MS-13 clique that Paredes and other ULS members allegedly murdered an associate of in New Bedford in 2018.

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What they’re saying

“What Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes did to his victims was particularly heinous — so much so that years later, the circumstances of these three murders still stand out. The sheer brutality, cruel depravity and terror he inflicted on behalf of MS-13 demonstrates a complete disregard for human life.”

— Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Division

What’s next

Paredes' sentencing has been scheduled for July 10.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by the violent MS-13 criminal organization and the FBI's efforts to dismantle the gang and hold its members accountable for their brutal crimes. It underscores the need for continued law enforcement action against MS-13 to protect public safety.