Three alleged members of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, have been charged for their possible roles in two separate murders in Massachusetts in December 2010 and July 2020, according to the Department of Justice.

La Mara Salvatrucha is a violent, transnational criminal organization involved in murder, assault, extortion, kidnapping, obstruction of justice and drug trafficking, according to court documents. Gang members maintain and enhance their status and the overall reputation of the gang by participating in violent acts.

William Pineda Portillo, 31, of Everett, and Jose Vasquez, 31, of Somerville are charged in a second superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to conduct racketeering affairs.

Racketeering is a broad term used to describe partaking in illegal schemes, including kidnapping, murder, bribery and arson.

Penda Portillo and Vasquez are also charged on one count of violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, the Department of Justice said.

Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes, 27, of New Bedford was charged in a separate indictment with racketeering and violent crime in aid of racketeering.

All three will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

“The brutal acts of violence these defendants are accused of committing demonstrate a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “We will not allow MS-13 or any other violent criminal organization to terrorize our communities.”

The “circumstances” of the men’s alleged crimes “still stand out,” said Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division.

“Today’s charges should make it clear to MS-13 members and their associates that medieval-style violence and senseless murder will not be tolerated in Massachusetts,” Cohen added.

According to the charging documents, Amaya Paredes allegedly murdered a 27-year-old in July 2020 near Horseneck Road in Dartmouth.

It is alleged that Amaya Paredes lured the victim to a family party, after which he drove the victim to the scene where they were shot and killed.

Surveillance video and location information allegedly showed Amaya Parades and the victim entering a Honda Pilot minivan, which was tracked to the scene of the murder at the time gunfire was heard, the Department of Justice said.

According to court filings, the victim was found lying face down with multiple gunshot wounds, the Department said.

In the days following the 2020 murder, Amaya Paredes was charged by state authorities with murder.

Investigators uncovered information that allegedly connects Amaya Paredes to MS-13 and determined he murdered the victim to gain influence and improve his position in the gang, according to the Department of Justice.

The investigation also revealed that Amaya Paredes allegedly conspired to murder a witness following his arrest on state murder charges.

On Sept. 11, 2024, Amaya Paredes was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the 2020 murder and his alleged conspiring to murder a witness, according to the Department of Justice.

Pineda Portillo and Vasquez were also indicted on Sept. 11 by a federal grand jury in connection to a 2010 murder, according to the Department of Justice.

According to the charging documents, Pineda Portillo and Vasquez allegedly conspired with other gang members to murder a 28-year-old man on Dec. 18, 2010 in Chelsea.

Pineda Portillo allegedly drove the victim and a group of MS-13 members to the scene where they stabbed the victim’s head and chest a total of 12 times.

It is also alleged that Vasquez took part in stabbing the victim and that his palm print was on the handle of a silver kitchen knife left at the scene, according to the Department of Justice.

Vasquez pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy during a 2016 investigation and was sentenced to 212 months prison, the Department of Justice said. Vasquez is currently serving this sentence.

Pineda Portillo was also indicted for racketeering conspiracy in the 2016 investigation, during which he was recorded discussing the need to locate and murder a member of MS-13 who he incorrectly believed was cooperating with law enforcement, the Department of Justice said.

Pineda Portillo was deported to El Salvador before his indictment was returned, but on May 10, 2022, he was arrested as he crossed into Texas from Mexico.

According to court documents, Pineda Portillo admitted he was a member of MS-13 and through a fingerprint analysis it was determined that there was an active arrest warrant for him.

Pineda Portillo was returned to Massachusetts where he remained in federal custody pending trial.

The charge of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy involving murder provides for a sentence of life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, the Department of Justice said.

The charge of violent crime in aid of racketeering involving murder provides for a sentence of life in prison or death and a fine of $250,000, the organization said.

The charge of racketeering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.