A federal grand jury indicted Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, David Arturo Perez-Manchame, and Joel Vargas-Escobar on charges arising from their alleged participation in MS-13 racketeering activity spanning Nevada and California [1]. The case, prosecuted by the DOJ Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, charged all three under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and alleged a series of murders and kidnappings carried out in furtherance of the gang enterprise [1][3]. Trial began in the District of Nevada before Judge Gloria M. Navarro and ran 43 days before the jury began deliberations [2].
On June 30, 2026, the jury convicted all three defendants on RICO conspiracy and on multiple counts of murder in aid of racketeering [1]. Reyes-Castillo was found guilty on eight counts of murder in aid of racketeering, five counts of kidnapping in aid of racketeering, one count of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, seven firearms counts, and six counts of causing death through use of a firearm [1][2]. Perez-Manchame was convicted on two murder counts and two kidnapping counts [1]. Vargas-Escobar was convicted on one murder count and one count of causing death through use of a firearm [1]. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on approximately 34 additional counts, including charges related to the killing of Daniel Clark and two other alleged victims, and Judge Navarro declared a mistrial on those counts [2].
Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole [3]. Sentencing is scheduled for November 10, 2026, before Judge Navarro [1]. The government prosecuted the case through a Homeland Security-led task force, and the nine killings at issue occurred across Nevada and California [1][4].
No acquittals were returned on any count that reached a full verdict [1][2]. The government has not publicly announced whether it will retry the defendants on the hung counts, and no post-trial motions have been reported as of the verdict date [2].