Like any american teenager, brenda paz spent much of her time with her. On july, 2003, brenda paz, a 17yearold former ms member turned informant was found stabbed on the banks of the shenandoah river in virginia. Brenda paz, 17, was stabbed to death and her body was. Years later she was detained by the police, where she was then convinced to testify and serve as.
Tracked in 42 states, according to the 2009 national gang threat assessment, as many as 40,000 to 50,000 ms members exist worldwide, with 8,000 to. Ms is the new bad boy in girls lives, said carlos salvado, a defense attorney who has represented young women accused of gang connections. On july , 2003, brenda paz, a 17yearold former ms member turned informant was found stabbed on the banks of the shenandoah river in virginia. Inside the ms, americas most violent gang this is for the mara salvatrucha. Samuel logans debut book is a wellwritten, engrossing tale that combines solid research and a great narrative about a group the fbi has called the worlds most dangerous gang. Fearing charges for a murder she had witnessed, brenda started telling. But smiley, as she was known, had wanted out and had begun helping federal. Among the most highprofile killings attributed to ms in virginia was the 2003 slaying of a pregnant teenager who had become an informant. This is the moment a teenage ms gangster admitted torturing and murdering a 15yearold girl who she believed had killed her boyfriend. Brenda paz, 17, was stabbed to death and her body left along the banks of the shenandoah river. Her relationships with gang leaders led to a meteoric rise within the ms until she was privy to most of its secrets. For a reallife account of how some ms members treated their friend in the gang, you may wish to check out the following link to an article and video from cbs news.
Through her story you learn just a little insight into how the gang operates and where they spread their seed. Samuel logans this is for the mara salvatrucha is in essence the story of an ms gangster named brenda paz, a honduran immigrant who. Paz was killed for informing the fbi about mara salvatruchas criminal activities. The murder of brenda smiley paz was carried out by the notorious ms gang in virginia. Oct 12, 2012 among the most highprofile killings attributed to ms in virginia was the 2003 slaying of a pregnant teenager who had become an informant. But brenda and her friends belonged to the mara salvatruchathe msthe most violent gang in america, and in addition to. Okay, this is for the mara salvatrucha is the title of the book, but the subtitle is. Inside the ms , americas most violent gang, which led me to believe i was getting an insiders testimony, or at the very least, someone that was remotely associated with the mara salvatrucha, telling their all about the gang. This story is told in samuel logans book this is for the mara salvatrucha. Through her story you learn just a little insight into how the gang operates and where. The nook book ebook of the this is for the mara salvatrucha. Sep 16, 2014 paramount vantage no country for old men options the rights to samuel logans this is for the mara salvatrucha, about the life of brenda paz, a teenage member of the notorious ms.
But smiley, as she was known, had wanted out and had begun helping federal authorities. This is for the mara salvatrucha by samuel logan overdrive. I didnt flip through the book before i checked it out, which might have given me an idea of what this book is about. Mss appeal to girls grows as gang becomes americanized. Samuel logan introduces us to the story of brenda paz, a ms gang member turned fbi informant. At age 12, brenda paz began her affiliation with a dallas branch of the latino mara salvatrucha street gang, one of the most powerful in the united states. Mara salvatrucha, commonly known as ms, is an international criminal gang that originated. Inside the ms, americas most violent gang, which led me to believe i was getting an insiders testimony, or at the very least, someone that was remotely associated with the mara salvatrucha, telling their all. Paramount vantage no country for old men options the rights to samuel logans this is for the mara salvatrucha, about the life of brenda paz, a teenage member of the notorious ms. She was killed for informing the fbi about mara salvatruchas criminal activities. The murder of brenda smiley paz was carried out by the notorious m s gang in virginia. When she was 15, paz participated in her jumping inenduring a vicious second beating by the male gang members, one of two entry points for women into the ms the other being. This is for the mara salvatrucha by samuel logan hachette books.
They would go to parties, listen to music, and show off their cars late into the night. Jul 12, 2009 samuel logans this is for the mara salvatrucha is in essence the story of an ms gangster named brenda paz, a honduran immigrant who, at 15, became involved with ms and then, facing jail. This piece describes the story of brenda paz, an ms member who was murdered by her friends when she wanted to leave the gang and then became a police informant. Jul, 2014 brenda paz, 17, was stabbed to death and her body left along the banks of the shenandoah river. The brenda paz story implicates other ms members into the scheme of things by the criminal activities that take place during brenda pazs tenure and later her.
In 2002, brenda paz admitted what many wouldnt dare that she was a member of the inner circle of the brutal gang ms. Jul 24, 2018 brenda pazs murder on july, 2003 marked the beginning of an aggressive and revitalized effort to combat the mara salvatrucha, the largest and fastest growing gang in the united states. Brenda was jumped into the mara salvatrucha ms gang in texas when she was just 15. New book s devastating psychological portrait of how baby.
Untitled rupert wyatt mara salvatrucha project archives. Jul 22, 2018 my interest in and experience with ms became very personal when ms members murdered my friend and client, the young and brilliant brenda paz, to keep her from testifying against them in 2003. Her story was chronicled in the book, this is for the mara salvatrucha by journalist samuel logan. A wellknown story is that of brenda paz, ms member turned informant. Mss legacy of murder, rape, and control exposed daily. When the 17yearold was arrested by virginia police in june 2002, she unexpectedly started telling them vivid tales about life as a member of the violent mara. Brenda had a very ordinary life before being introduced to her friend and future boyfriend veto. Like any american teenager, brenda paz spent much of her time with her friends. May 07, 2018 ms is the new bad boy in girls lives, said carlos salvado, a defense attorney who has represented young women accused of gang connections. Journalist logan offers a gripping exploration of pazs.
Paramount vantage options samuel logans book on the gang. Lastly, brenda paz was informing the authorities on her exlover and her gang. Gang members convicted of killing protected witness. But brenda and her friends belonged to the mara salvatruchathe msthe most. But brenda and her friends belonged to the mara salvatruchathe ms the most violent gang in america, and in addition to enjoying the things that all teenagers do, her. New books devastating psychological portrait of how baby. The brenda paz story implicates other ms members into the scheme of things by the criminal activities that take place during brenda paz s tenure and later her. On july, 2003, brenda paz, a 17yearold former ms member turned informant, was found stabbed to death on the banks of the shenandoah river in virginia. Two of her former friends were later convicted of the murder.
On july , 2003, brenda paz, a 17yearold former ms member turned informant, was found stabbed to death on the banks of the shenandoah river in virginia. The book focuses primarily on one member of the ms gang brenda paz. We will trace the growth of mara salvatrucha ms from their. Using all of the tools of a capable police investigation, logan, a journalist based in latin america, connects the fortunes of brenda paz, a honduranamerican teenager, with the ultraviolent mara s. Jan 11, 2018 this is the moment a teenage ms gangster admitted torturing and murdering a 15yearold girl who she believed had killed her boyfriend. The book is the story of brenda paz, a teenaged exmember of the ms gang who was killed by her comrades after she became an informant for the fbi. Every child that the st petersburg police department uses as a confidential informant, they place in a position to possibly be killed. Jun 18, 2011 i didnt flip through the book before i checked it out, which might have given me an idea of what this book is about.
Her tale began when she was a young girl as she ran away from home to start her endeavors in gang life. From its outset it has had to be lethally violent and this book details the story of the gang as it migrates across america, through the eyes of traitor and informant, 16 year old brenda paz. Book is the story of brenda paz, a teenaged exmember of the ms gang who was killed by her comrades after she became an informant for the fbi. Brenda paz had been a homegirl, or full female member, of ms. Like any american teenager, brenda paz spent much of her time with. Moment ms female gangster confesses to brutal murder. May 18, 2005 the murder of brenda smiley paz was carried out by the notorious m s gang in virginia. My interest in and experience with ms became very personal when ms members murdered my friend and client, the young and brilliant brenda paz, to. On july, 2003, brenda paz, a 17yearold former ms member turned informant, was found stabbed to death on the banks.
But brenda and her friends belonged to the mara salvatruchathe msthe most violent gang in america, and in addition to enjoying the things that all teenagers do, her. Venus romero iraheta, 18, pleaded guilty to the murder in. But brenda and her friends belonged to the mara salvatruchathe ms the most violent gang in america, and in addition to. Samuel logans this is for the mara salvatrucha is in essence the story of an ms gangster named brenda paz, a honduran immigrant who, at 15, became involved with ms and then, facing jail. Jul 01, 2009 okay, this is for the mara salvatrucha is the title of the book, but the subtitle is. Inside the ms, americas most violent gang from the worlds largest community of readers. Mara salvatrucha, about the life of brenda paz, a teenage member of the notorious ms gang who. May 07, 2018 brenda paz had been a homegirl, or full female member, of ms. Brenda paz was 16 years old when she was killed in virginia as a result of her confidential informant work involving the latin gang mara salvatrucha ms. Brenda pazs murder on july, 2003 marked the beginning of an aggressive and revitalized effort to combat the mara salvatrucha, the largest and fastest growing gang in the united states.
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