LOS ANGELES -- Federal and local authorities in the Los Angeles area have arrested the head of a high-profile anti-gang organization as part of an action against the notorious Mara Salvatrucha street gang.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said Alex Sanchez, executive director of the nonprofit Homies Unidos, was arrested at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Bellflower early Wednesday on federal racketeering charges.
Mara Salvatrucha also is known as MS-13.
Homies Unidos works to rescue kids from gangs in Los Angeles and Sanchez's native El Salvador.
An indictment named 24 members of Mara Salvatrucha alleging crimes including murder and narcotics offenses.
There was no immediate response to a call seeking comment from the organization.
© 2009 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
