MS-13 associates face death penalty in Virginia
November 30, 6:21 AMLaw Enforcement Examiner Jim Kouri
2 comments

MS-13 is considered one of the more ruthless and deadly crime gangs operating in the US today.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Tuesday charging three MS-13 associates with murdering Claros Luna, 40, of Maryland, during an armed robbery in Alexandria, Virginia committed by the suspects on July 29, 2009.

The indictment charges the three men -- Eris Arguera, 21, of Alexandria, Virginia.; Alcides Umaña, 21, of Arlington, Virginia; and Adolfo Portillo, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia -- with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and extortion, interference with commerce by robbery and extortion, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death.

The suspects are facing a maximum penalty of life in federal prison or the death penalty, according to a report obtained by the Organized Crime Committee of the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

According to the indictment, Luna was robbed and murdered after transporting a woman from Maryland to Virginia for prostitution. The indictment states the three men were members of a conspiracy -- which included members of the gang Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13 -- to extort money from individuals involved in prostitution.

The suspects, who reside in the US illegally, are scheduled to be arraigned on December 4, 2009 in the United States District Court in Alexandria.

This case was investigated by the Alexandria Police Department and FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the Fairfax County and Arlington County Police Departments and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s Office of Investigations in Washington, D.C.

Assistant United States Attorneys Ronald Walutes and Morris Parker are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

MS-13, with thousands of members nationwide, is considered one of the most violent and deadly gangs operating in the US today. Originating in El Salvador, a number of the gang's members are former left-wing guerillas or military veterans.

http://oneoldvet.com/

www.examiner.com