It's been a busy week in court for members of the notorious La Mara Salvatrucha street gang, better known as MS-13. Member Julio Chavez is charged with killing Maurice Parker on May 18, 2007, in Flushing—and all because of a misunderstanding. Chavez mistook Parker for a member of the rival Bloods gang, because he was wearing a red sweatshirt. According to accomplice and former MS-13 gang member Jose Molina, Chavez went on a long rant in Spanish after the murder, saying amongst other things: "Yeah, homie, that's how you're supposed to do it. You see the blood coming out of his head?...The beast has eaten!" more ›

Police got a tip from a Brooklyn cab driver that the MS-13 gang may be planning an attack on the NYPD. The driver's friend allegedly over heard gang member talk about a murder contract on police in the back seat of a cab, mentioning how he would kill an officer in every command. NYPD spokesman Sgt. Kevin Hayes told the Daily News, "At this time, there's nothing to indicate there's a city-wide threat," but cops are taking the tip seriously and trying to gather intel. more ›

A member of the notorious MS-13 gang told police that the gang's El Salvadorian leaders put a hit out on a federal agent meddling in the gang's NYC activities. Walter "Dukes" Torres was arrested along with four others for hassling passersby in Queens last month and said he was in New York "for the specific purpose of participating in the planning and execution of the murder plot...Gang members were trying to get their hands on a high-powered assault rifle, like an M-16. to penetrate the agent's bulletproof vest." Another gang member said bosses were "exceedingly angry" at the unidentified Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. more ›