Score:   1
Docket Number:   D-MD  1:17-cr-00589
Case Name:   USA v. Reyes-Canales et al
  Press Releases:
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro,” “El Pastor,” and “Gasper,” age 21, of Annapolis, Maryland, of murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, in connection with his participation in the activities of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13.  The verdict was returned late on October 31, 2019.

The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations-Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Baltimore Field Division; Police Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess.

“The MS-13 gang uses violence, extortion, and intimidation to terrorize their communities, both here in the U.S. and abroad.  The gang’s chilling motto is ‘mata, viola, controla,’ or ‘kill, rape, and control.’  This MS-13 member showed his allegiance to the gang through murder.  Now he faces a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison.  His conviction for murder, and our ongoing work with our law enforcement partners to bring other gang members to justice, demonstrates our unflagging commitment to eliminate MS-13 and its campaign of wanton violence,” said United States Attorney Hur.  “We will continue to root out and prosecute violent gang members to obtain justice for their victims.”

“This individual’s crime is yet another example of the terror and violence that criminal gangs like MS-13 inflict upon our communities,” said HSI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge John Eisert. “HSI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and dismantle these gangs to make our streets safer.”

MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador.  Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Frederick County, Maryland.  In Maryland, MS-13 cliques often work cooperatively to engage in criminal activity and to assist one another in avoiding detection by law enforcement.   These cliques include the Hempstead Locos Salvatrucha (HLS or Hempstead), Fulton Locos Salvatruchs (FLS or Fulton), and Langley Park Salvatrucha (LPS), among others.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.

According to the evidence presented at his 9-day trial, from at least 2015 through 2017, Sandoval-Rodriguez was a member and associate of the Fulton clique.  As a member of the MS-13 gang, Sandoval-Rodriguez participated in racketeering activities including drug trafficking, extortion, and murder.

The evidence at trial proved that Sandoval-Rodriguez and other MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder an individual whom they believed to be a rival gang member.  Specifically, on March 11, 2016, Sandoval-Rodriguez lured the victim to a park in Annapolis, with the intent to murder the victim.  Once the victim arrived at the park, members of the gang struck the victim on the head with a branch or stick.  Sandoval-Rodriguez and the other members and associates of MS-13 then stabbed the victim repeatedly, killing the victim. The members and associates of MS-13 then buried the victim in a shallow grave in the park.  Sandoval-Rodriguez and his co-conspirators murdered the victim in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing their position in MS-13.

As a result of his conviction for murder in aid of racketeering, Sandoval-Rodriguez faces a mandatory life sentence.  Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has not yet scheduled sentencing. 

Co-defendants Marlon Cruz-Flores, a/k/a “Little S,” age 22; Fermin Gomez-Jimenez, age 20; and David Diaz-Alvarado, age 21; all of Annapolis, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering enterprise. The other defendants are awaiting sentencing.  All of the defendants are detained.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and AAG Benczkowski commended HSI, the ATF, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Hur and Mr. Benczkowski thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig, Trial Attorney Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Mildenberg, a cross-designated Anne Arundel County Assistant State’s Attorney, who are prosecuting this case.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – On March 29, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted six MS-13 members on charges in connection with their MS-13 gang activities, including racketeering conspiracy; murder in aid of racketeering; violent crimes in aid of racketeering; use, carry and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. 

The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning for the District of Maryland; Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Baltimore Office;  Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Baltimore Field Division; Police Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel Police Department; and State Attorney Wes Adams of the Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office.

Charged in the nine-count indictment are Moises Alexis Reyes-Canales, a/k/a “Sicopata”, age 19; Marlon Cruz-Flores, a/k/a “Little S”, age 22; Fermin Gomez-Jimenez, age 20;  Manuel Martinez-Aguilar, a/k/a “El Lunatic” and “Zomb”, age 19; Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro”, “El Pastor”, and “Gasper”, age 20; and David Diaz-Alvarado, age 20; all of Annapolis, Maryland.

MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador.  Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Frederick County, Maryland.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.

According to the indictment, prior to 2015, and continuing through 2017, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar participated in a racketeering conspiracy that included assaults, murder, attempted murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. 

According to the indictment, MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder a rival gang member.  On or about March 11, 2016, Sandoval-Rodriguez lured the victim to a park in Annapolis, Maryland with the intent to murder the victim.  On or about that same date, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, Sandoval-Rodriguez, and Diaz-Alvarado, and other members and associates of MS-13 murdered the victim in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.

According to the indictment, on October 23, 2016, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar conspired to and attempted to murder two victims in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.  Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar, and other members and associates of MS-13 attempted to kill one of the victims by stabbing the victim multiple times and attempted to kill a second victim by shooting and stabbing the victim multiple times.  

All of the defendants are currently detained on related federal or state criminal charges.  Initial appearances have not yet been scheduled.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended HSI, ATF, Anne Arundel Police Department, and Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Seema Mittal, Trial Attorney Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Mildenberg, who are prosecuting this case.

 

                                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885

 

 

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted four MS-13 members today on charges in connection with their MS-13 gang activities, including violent crimes in aid of racketeering, use, carry and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.

 

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Andre Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Baltimore Office;  Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Baltimore Office; Police Chief Tim Altomare of the Anne Arundel Police Department; States Attorney Wes Adams of the Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

 

Charged in the three-count indictment is Fermin Gomez-Jimenez, 20;  Manuel Martinez-Aguilar, aka “El Lunatic” and “Zomb,” 19;  Moises Alexis Reyes-Canales, aka “Sicopita,” 19; and Marlon Cruz-Flores, 22, all of Annapolis, Maryland.

 

MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Frederick County, Maryland. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.

 

According to indictment, on October 23, 2016 for the purpose of gaining entrance to and maintaining and increasing position in MS-13 the defendants conspired to and attempted to murder two victims in Annapolis, Maryland.

 

All of the defendants are currently detained on related state criminal charges.

 

The defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison.  Initial appearances have not yet been scheduled.

 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

 

Acting U.S. Attorney Schenning and Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco commended HSI Baltimore, ATF Baltimore, Anne Arundel Police Department, Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office and the FBI for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seema Mittal, Trial Attorney Matthew Hoff of the Organized Crime and Gang Section, as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Mildenberg are prosecuting this case.

Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
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Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
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Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
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Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
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Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
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Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
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Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
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Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
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Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
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Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
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Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
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Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
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Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
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Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
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Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
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Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
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Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
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Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
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Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
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Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fourth highest severity
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Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE4
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Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE4
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Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE4
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Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the fifth highest severity
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Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE5
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Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE5
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Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE5
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Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE5
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Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
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Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
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Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
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Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
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Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
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Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
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Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
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Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
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Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
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Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
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Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
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Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
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Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
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Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
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