MS-13: Making Their Presence Known in Bradley County

Willie Espinoza is a Correctional Officer at the Bradley County Jail.

"M-S stands for Mara Salatucha." 

Jason Law: "And what does that mean?"

"Army of ants...Salvadorians watch out," says Espinoza.

Ms-13 has the repuation as one of the most violent gangs in America. Once found only in major cities...the gang's presence has trickled into Bradley County.

"We know they're here, hopefully we can get a hold of it before it starts being like Memphis or Los Angeles," says Espinoza.

In past couple of years, Espinoza says noticed a startling rise of MS-13 members brought into his facility.

We try to separate them from the rest of the population...because we don't want to get an MS-13 member in a pod or in a housing cell that holds a rival gang member. Then we'll have a fight for sure."

According to a new census, Bradley County's hispanic population has grown five percent since 1990. Police say the deadly gang has grown with it.

"They want to be one of the most dangerous gangs I think they're about to accomplish it if they keep going," says Espinoza.

Jason: "Is there some way to combat this?"

 "I would like to say yes...but it's kind of hard especially when you don't know who could be an M-S 13 member now...It takes a lot more investigation to confirm them."

For safety concerns when confirmed MS-13 members are arrested, they are automatically isolated from other inmates. But beyond the bars...thats when battling gang's becomes a much tougher task for police. From Bradley County, Jason Law WDEF News12.