Maryland law enforcement officials announce new, nationwide MS-13 tip line

GREENBELT, Md. - A press conference was be held today at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Greenbelt, Maryland to announce a new tool in the fight against MS-13. 

A nationwide MS-13 tip line as well as a Spanish-language public service announcement to highlight the tipline was presented and is now available for use.

“This new tipline adds to our tool box in the fight against MS-13,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “MS-13 is terrorizing and preying upon entire communities. We want to help end the fear and violence, but we need the community’s help to fight back. Please, if you have information, call 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713). Federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together to find and bring to justice MS-13 members who commit heinous crimes—and your information will help us to do that. Your identity will be protected.”

“MS-13 uses violence to strike fear in our communities and they count on that fear resulting in silence,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Boone. “We must not allow fear and silence to be weapons MS-13 is allowed to use. Please call the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713). Use your voice to tell them, no more.”

The FBI tipline allows individuals to provide information about MS-13 activities to a central location and the FBI will then disseminate the information to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for investigation. The Spanish-language public service announcement features a mother who was extorted by MS-13 and whose child was murdered by the gang. In the PSA the victim encourages others to call the FBI so the FBI can help them.  The PSA is available for download on You Tube and has captions enabled for both English and Spanish. In addition, the video will be live in the videos section on the FBI’s website.

Special Agent in Charge Jesse Fong, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Field Division, would like to thank  United States Attorney District of Maryland Robert K. Hur, Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Eric Delaune, Homeland Security Investigations, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Rothermund, Drug Enforcement Administration, Chief Henry P. Stawinski, Prince George’s County Police Department, Chief Marcus Jones, Montgomery County Police Department, Major Ross Passman, Anne Arundel County Police Department, Major Paul Herman, Deputy Chief, and Annapolis Police Department, Chief Edward G. Hargis, City of Frederick Police Department for their work in this new and important public service tool.

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