MS-13 Gang Member’s RICO Charge Not Subject to Law for Juveniles

An alleged member of the street gang MS-13 must face adult conspiracy charges, even though he was originally charged for furthering the conspiracy as a minor, the Ninth Circuit said Thursday.

Edwin Mendez was originally charged pursuant to the Juvenile Delinquency Act with conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The alleged criminal activity in the information took place before Mendez was 18.

In a superseding indictment, however, most of the charges against Mendez were dropped and he was charged as an adult under RICO for activity that took place after he turned 18.

Mendez claimed that once ...