By USA Daily Now 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A suspected MS-13 gang member with a history of violent crimes has been arrested in Nashville after evading law enforcement for over a year, authorities confirmed. LEONEL VARGAS JR., 24, was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon by the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).
According to Davidson County jail records, VARGAS faces multiple charges, including felony aggravated assault by strangulation, felony aggravated burglary, felony probation violation, misdemeanor domestic assault, and two counts of misdemeanor theft of property. He is currently ineligible for bond.
The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between MNPD’s Specialized Investigations Division (SID) detectives and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The agencies have been investigating VARGAS‘ alleged ties to the infamous Salvadoran MS-13 gang, known for its extreme violence.
ATF officials confirmed to Fox News Digital that their investigation into VARGAS‘ gang affiliations remains active.
VARGAS’s criminal history dates back to 2019, when he was charged with aggravated assault by strangulation, two counts of domestic assault resulting in bodily injury, and one count of domestic assault with fear of bodily injury. He received probation for these offenses.
In 2022, VARGAS violated his probation and was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. That same year, a 2021 case involving felony evading arrest by motor vehicle and reckless endangerment was reopened. He was convicted on these charges in 2023 and sentenced to two years of supervised release.
Last year, VARGAS was charged with felony domestic aggravated assault, burglary, and theft, prompting him to flee from authorities until his capture this week.
The arrest comes as MS-13 continues to draw attention from law enforcement. Earlier this week, FBI Director KASH PATEL announced a $5 million bounty for information leading to the capture of MS-13’s alleged leader in Honduras, YULAN ADONAY ARCHAGA CARÍAS.
In related news, another suspected MS-13 member, KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA, was recently deported to El Salvador. GARCIA was allegedly involved in labor and human trafficking, according to a 2022 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) report obtained by Fox News.
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