Suspected MS-13 Gang Member with Violent History Nabbed in Nashville After Year on the Run

Leonel Vargas Jr., a 24-year-old suspected MS-13 gang member with a reputation for violence, is finally back in police custody after spending a year dodging authorities in Nashville, Tennessee.

Metro Nashville Police confirmed Vargas was arrested Wednesday afternoon. According to Davidson County jail records, the charges against him are a laundry list of serious crimes: felony aggravated assault by strangulation, felony aggravated burglary, felony probation violation, misdemeanor domestic assault, and two counts of misdemeanor theft of property. And no, he’s not eligible for bond—so he’s not going anywhere this time.

The Metro Nashville Police Department’s Specialized Investigations Division teamed up with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to track Vargas down. Detectives and agents had been hot on his tail, investigating his ties to the ultra-violent MS-13 gang. The ATF says their investigation into Vargas’ gang connections is still ongoing.

Vargas’ criminal record stretches back to 2019. That year, he was charged with aggravated assault by strangulation, two counts of domestic assault causing bodily injury, and another for domestic assault with fear of injury—resulting in a probation sentence. In 2022, after violating probation, he landed a year in prison and another year of supervised release. While he was trying to keep things interesting, a previous case for felony evading arrest and reckless endangerment resurfaced, leading to a conviction in 2023 and two more years of supervised release.

Last year, Vargas racked up fresh charges: felony domestic aggravated assault, burglary, and theft. This spree sent him underground until Wednesday’s arrest wrapped up his run.

MS-13’s name has been making headlines beyond Tennessee. Earlier this week, FBI Director Kash Patel announced a $5 million reward for info leading to the arrest of the gang’s notorious leader, Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, in Honduras. Stateside, another alleged MS-13 member, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was recently deported to El Salvador amid suspicions of involvement in human and labor trafficking, according to Homeland Security Investigations.

With the list of charges and the gang’s ongoing notoriety, it’s clear law enforcement isn’t letting up when it comes to cracking down on MS-13’s violent influence.