Eleven MS-13 members could get the death penalty if found guilty of charges related to two murders

Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Eleven MS-13 members could get the death penalty if found guilty of charges related to the kidnappings and murders of two minors in 2016. The 11 were indicted Friday by a federal grand jury on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit kidnapping and murder in aid of racketeering activity and kidnapping resulting in death.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia alleged Edenilson Alfaro, aka “Lil Sicario” which translates to the hitman, originially from El Salvador ordered lower level MS-13 members to kill someone whose Facebook post showed he was a member of the rival 18th Street gang. The boy was lured to Holmes Run Stream Valley Park in Fairfax County and murdered in Aug. of 2016.

Then in Sept. of 2016 Elmer Martinez, aka “Killer,” also orginially from El Salvador told Alfaro he thought the other victim was cooperating with police, so Alfaro put out a hit on that person. That person was lured to the same park and murdered according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said the gang members taped both killings so they could prove they carried them out and deserved promotions.

The 11 could be sentenced to death if convicted, but prosecutors said many defendants don’t get sentenced to the maximum penalties.

The FBI did not say whether any of the defendants are illegal immigrants.