DOJ Seeks Death Penalty for MS-13 Gang Members Charged with Murdering Police Informant

by Cristina Laila Apr. 9, 2026 3:40 pm



Is this the “spark of divinity” that Nancy Pelosi was talking about?

The Justice Department, at the request of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, is seeking the death penalty for three MS-13 gang members charged with murdering an informant.

Dennis Anaya Urias, 27, Grevil Zelaya Santiago, 26, and Roberto Carlos Aguilar, 31, all of South Los Angeles, were charged with conspiracy to retaliate against a witness and murder in aid of racketeering.

The informant was murdered in a South Los Angeles grocery store last year.

Two of the MS-13 gang members are illegal aliens and one has a green card.

“Thugs and terrorists will find no shelter under this administration. If you take someone’s life, then you will forfeit your own,” First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli said.

Statement from Bill Essayli:

Dennis Anaya Urias, 27, Grevil Zelaya Santiago, 26, and Roberto Carlos Aguilar, 31, all of South Los Angeles, are charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering and two counts of conspiracy to retaliate against a witness or informant.

These defendants have been in federal custody since May 2025 and are scheduled to go to trial on July 21.

Urias and Aguilar are Salvadoran nationals. Urias has a green card. Aguilar is an illegal alien. Santiago is an illegal alien from Honduras.

According to court documents, Urias and Santiago fatally shot the victim at a grocery store in South L.A. on February 18, 2025.

The victim’s status as a government cooperator was well known by MS-13 and made the victim subject to a “green light” order that made him a target for murder by MS-13 members.

Approximately one hour before the victim’s death, he had what appeared to be a chance encounter with Aguilar inside the grocery store. Following that encounter, Aguilar set in motion a series of events that led to Urias and Santiago murdering the victim.

F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli



@USAttyEssayli
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As directed by @DAGToddBlanche, my office will seek the death penalty for the following three MS-13 members charged with murdering a law enforcement cooperator.

Dennis Anaya Urias, 27, Grevil Zelaya Santiago, 26, and Roberto Carlos Aguilar, 31, all of South Los Angeles, are

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1:23 PM · Apr 9, 2026

Photos of the MS-13 gang members via Fox News reporter Bill Melugin:

Bill Melugin
@BillMelugin_
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Photos of these MS-13 alleged murderers:









F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli



@USAttyEssayli

As directed by @DAGToddBlanche, my office will seek the death penalty for the following three MS-13 members charged with murdering a law enforcement cooperator.

Dennis Anaya Urias, 27, Grevil Zelaya Santiago, 26, and Roberto Carlos Aguilar, 31, all of South Los Angeles, are


2:02 PM · Apr 9, 2026

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...-gang-members/