ALEXANDRIA, Va. – 5 members of the transnational road gang La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, have acquired sentences of life imprisonment for his or her roles within the kidnapping and homicide of two adolescent boys in 2016.
In response to court docket paperwork and proof offered at trial, MS-13 gang members Elmer Zelaya Martinez, Ronald Herrera Contreras, Henry Zelaya Martinez, Pablo Velasco Barrera, and Duglas Ramirez Ferrera, together with their co-conspirators, focused E.E.E.M., a 17-year-old resident of Falls Church, who they erroneously suspected was a member of the rival 18th Avenue gang. On the night time of August 28, 2016, the gang lured E.E.E.M. to Holmes Run Stream Valley Park in Fairfax County below the pretense that there was going to be a gang assembly there. As an alternative, in a wooded space of the park, gang members restrained, attacked, and killed E.E.E.M., stabbing and chopping him greater than 100 occasions with knives, a machete, and a pickaxe. Afterwards, the gang broke certainly one of E.E.E.M.’s legs in order that his physique would match into the pre-dug gap that was close by.
Court docket data and proof offered at trial additionally established that the identical gang members, together with their co-conspirators, focused S.A.A.T., a 14-year-old resident of Alexandria, who they erroneously suspected was a police informant. On the night of September 26, 2016, the gang informed S.A.A.T. that there was going to be a gang assembly later that night time and inspired him to attend. Not lengthy thereafter, S.A.A.T. went exterior in his pajamas, telling his mom he was simply taking out the trash. Finally, a number of gang members picked up S.A.A.T. and drove him to the identical park the place they’d killed E.E.E.M. The gang members restrained, attacked, and killed S.A.A.T., stabbing and chopping him with knives, machetes, and a pickaxe. In addition they filmed the homicide with a cellular phone in order that they might show to gang leaders in the US and in El Salvador that they deserved to be promoted in rank. As soon as S.A.A.T. was useless, the gang broke his legs and tied him up along with his personal pajama pants in order that he would match into the shallow grave that was dug for him that night time.
“Phrases alone are incapable of describing the tragedy and senselessness that mark this case. Mere proximity to MS-13 and its twisted code value two unassuming teenage boys their lives. Within the wake of their appallingly violent murders lie wrecked households and fear-stricken communities,” mentioned Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Lawyer for the Japanese District of Virginia. “The sentences of life imprisonment imposed by the court docket are becoming; they are going to shield the general public from these 5 defendants, ship a message to different members and associates of MS-13 that there will likely be extreme penalties for committing violent crimes in furtherance of their gang’s illicit actions, and supply a measure of justice for the victims and their households. EDVA stays steadfast in its dedication to prosecuting members of road gangs and deterring acts of violence perpetrated of their identify.”
“Brutality is the hallmark of MS-13. The defendants kidnapped and murdered two harmless youngsters, shattering their desires and stoking concern within the communities we dwell and work in,” mentioned Wayne A. Jacobs, Particular Agent in Cost of the FBI Washington Subject Workplace’s Prison and Cyber Division. “This joint investigation demonstrates the FBI and our legislation enforcement companions’ refusal to tolerate violent gang members who terrorize our neighborhoods and ruthlessly homicide rival gang members and harmless civilians.”
“It is a profoundly disturbing case involving gang members taking the lives of younger members of our group. We’re proud to work with our Federal companions on instances like this to maintain Fairfax County and surrounding communities secure,” mentioned Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police.
Up to now, a complete of 17 defendants have been charged on this case, 5 of whom went to trial and had been convicted of all prices. 9 defendants pleaded responsible previous to trial. See the desk beneath for added data on the defendants who had been convicted at trial.
Identify |
Age |
Nation of Origin |
Convictions |
Sentence |
Elmer Zelaya Martinez |
31 |
El Salvador |
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping and homicide in help of racketeering exercise; conspiracy to kidnap; homicide in help of racketeering exercise; kidnapping leading to demise |
Sentenced to 6 phrases of life imprisonment and two phrases of 120 months, all to run concurrently |
Ronald Herrera Contreras |
24 |
El Salvador |
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping and homicide in help of racketeering exercise; conspiracy to kidnap; homicide in help of racketeering exercise; kidnapping leading to demise |
Sentenced to 6 phrases of life imprisonment and two phrases of 120 months, all to run concurrently |
Henry Zelaya Martinez |
28 |
El Salvador |
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping and homicide in help of racketeering exercise; conspiracy to kidnap; homicide in help of racketeering exercise; kidnapping leading to demise |
Sentenced to 6 phrases of life imprisonment and two phrases of 120 months, all to run concurrently |
Pablo Velasco Barrera |
24 |
El Salvador |
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping and homicide in help of racketeering exercise; conspiracy to kidnap; homicide in help of racketeering exercise; kidnapping leading to demise |
Sentenced to 6 phrases of life imprisonment and two phrases of 120 months, all to run concurrently |
Duglas Ramirez Ferrera |
26 |
El Salvador |
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping and homicide in help of racketeering exercise; conspiracy to kidnap; homicide in help of racketeering exercise; kidnapping leading to demise |
Sentenced to 6 phrases of life imprisonment and two phrases of 120 months, all to run concurrently |
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Lawyer for the Japanese District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Particular Agent in Cost of the FBI Washington Subject Workplace Prison Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Choose Rossie D. Alston, Jr.
The FBI Washington Subject Workplace, the Fairfax County Police Division, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Washington Subject Workplace, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Alexandria Police Division, the Prince William County Police Division, the Montgomery County (MD) Police Division, and the Marin County (CA) Sheriff’s Workplace supplied vital help on the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Blanchard and Cristina C. Stam and former Assistant U.S. Lawyer Rebeca H. Bellows prosecuted the case.
The case was investigated as a part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Job Forces (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional process power that provides supplemental federal funding to the federal and state businesses concerned within the identification, investigation, and prosecution of main drug trafficking organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to determine, disrupt, and dismantle probably the most critical drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and cash laundering organizations, and people primarily liable for the nation’s unlawful drug provide.
A replica of this press launch is positioned on the web site of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Japanese District of Virginia. Associated court docket paperwork and knowledge are positioned on the web site of the District Court for the Japanese District of Virginia or on PACER by trying to find Case No. 1:18-cr-123.