Police arrest members of violent gang

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Local, federal, and state law enforcement agencies banded together early Wednesday morning to take a group of violent gang members off the street.

Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements joined other state and local law enforcement to announce the arrest of 11 members of the notorious MS-13 gang.

Police tell us the operation also led to the identification of three other members. They say those arrested are among the most dangerous people in the Providence area.

"Their criminal activity included shootings, arson, drugs, illegal firearm possession and sales," said Clements.

The roundup was the result of a year-and-a-half-long investigation led by the Providence Police Department, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, ATF, DEA, and ICE.

There are thought to be about 50 members of the gang in the Providence area, but hundreds worldwide.

Along with the arrests, officers seized 11 firearms and $400,000. Two of the members will be deported for being in the country illegally.

Police released the following list of suspect names:

Francisco Bonilla, AKA “Cisco”
Age 33
A Providence County Grand Jury reported out a secret indictment on October 5, 2012 charging Francisco Bonilla, AKA “Cisco,” with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of conspiracy of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of carrying a firearm without a license and one count of use of a firearm while committing a crime of violence.  Bonilla was arraigned before Providence County Superior Court this afternoon.Bail was set at $100,000 with surety.  A pre-trial conference is scheduled before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause on October 17, 2012.

Richard Ibanez, AKA “Chinoz”
Age 22
A Providence County Grand Jury reported out a secret indictment on October 5, 2012 charging Richard Ibanez, AKA “Chinoz,” with two counts of first degree arson and two counts of conspiracy to commit first degree arson.  Ibanez was arraigned before Providence County Superior Court this afternoon and is being held without bail

David Galdemez, AKA “Guanaco”
Age 22
A Providence County Grand Jury reported out a secret indictment on October 5, 2012 charging David Galdemez, AKA Guanaco,” with two counts of first degree arson and two counts of conspiracy to commit first degree arson.  Galdemez was apprehended by Providence Police over the weekend, arraigned in Superior Court on Monday is currently held without bail.

Anthony Berardis, AKA “White Boy”
Age 35
Providence Police apprehended Anthony Berardi, AKA “White Boy” this morning and charged him with conspiracy, carrying a firearm without a license, and sale of a concealable weapon. He will be arraigned in Providence County District Court.

Jose Reyes, AKA “Scrappy”
Age 25
Providence Police apprehended Jose Reyes, AKA “Scrappy,” this morning and charged him with carrying a firearm without a license and sale of a concealable weapon.  He will be arraigned in Providence County District Court

The US Attorney’s Office has released the following information on the defendants who were federally charged today in federal court. There is no further information at this time on the other federally charged defendant.

Adalberto Pagan , Age 27

Felon in possession, Possession of a firearm, Unlawful transfer or a firearm

Ordered detained in federal custody

Christian Ferrer, Age 27

Alexander Ramos, Age 42

Conspiracy to distribute and possess to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine, Distribution of 28 grams of more of cocaine

Both defendants ordered detained in federal custody