United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Gerson Emir Cuadra Soto, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was charged with illegal entry of an unlawfully present alien in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska.
An unsealed complaint affidavit underlying the arrest alleges that Cuadra Soto, a Honduran national, was a leader in MS-13 who was part of a professional assassination squad for the criminal organisation.
After being charged in Honduras in 2022 with firearms charges related to the quadruple homicide, Cuadra Soto and two co-defendants were allegedly able to bribe their way out of the Honduran jail.
Following the bribe, Cuadra Soto is alleged to have entered the United States illegally in 2022 by crossing into the State of Texas from the Country of Mexico. From there, the complaint alleges that Cuadra Soto obtained a California driver’s license in his true identity. Federal agents then tracked him to the District of Nebraska, where Cuadra Soto established a residence in Grand Island. He was arrested without incident on December 8, 2025, in Grand Island.
Special Agent Eugene Kowel, leader of the Omaha Federal Bureau of Investigation field division, stated, “Our capture of alleged MS-13 leader Gerson Emir Cuadra Soto in Grand Island, Nebraska, highlights the critical work undertaken daily to address threats posed by transnational gangs. Hiding in the heart of the heartland is not a good option for violent offenders; we will turn over every stone to find you. The apprehension of Cuadra Soto is a testament to the power of our partnerships; we are grateful to FBI Houston and Joint Task Force Vulcan, the TRIDENT Task Force, the Grand Island Police Department, and CBP’s BORTAC team.”
Special Agent in Charge of HSI Kansas City Mark Zito said, “Taking this criminal, illegal alien who is a suspected MS-13 leader and wanted for multiple homicides in Honduras off our streets demonstrates HSI’s unwavering commitment to Homeland Security Investigations to safeguarding our communities. This successful operation is a powerful example of why partnerships with local and state law enforcement are so critically important. By working together, we maximise our collective resources, share actionable intelligence, and ensure a coordinated approach to public safety.”
A complaint is a charging document that contains one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organisations (TCOs), and protect American communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, TRIDENT Task Force, and the Grand Island Police Department.
