Washington – In a stunning verdict, six members of the notorious 18th Street gang were found guilty in U.S. District Court for their involvement in two cold-blooded murders and a web of racketeering activity.
The convictions were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott, ICE Deputy Director Russ Hott, and MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith. The jury took three days to deliberate before delivering the guilty verdicts to Judge Trevor N. McFadden.
The 18th Street gang has terrorized the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, Central and South America, and even Europe with its violent tactics. They maintain control through acts of murder, kidnapping, assault, robbery, witness intimidation, and trafficking firearms and narcotics.
The investigation into the gang’s activities began in 2019, focusing on a series of murders, attempted murders, and kidnappings. One of the most chilling incidents involved the attempted murder of C.H. on May 21, 2021. Jexon Madrid-Flores, along with another gang member, followed and shot C.H. in Columbia Heights.
The investigation also uncovered the July 14, 2021, murder of Carlos Ramos Martinez, a rival gang member, near Elkton, MD. Jose Santos Alvarado-Velasquez, Gerlin Neptali Diaz-Lopez, Carlos Rolando Martinez-Mora, and Jose Anselmo Ibarra-Cristales were all involved in the slaying. Another murder occurred on December 19, 2021, when Danis Alcides Salgado Mata, a suspected MS13 member, was gunned down by Rolando Martinez-Mora following his mother’s wedding celebration.
Twelve members of the gang were arrested and charged, with six going to trial. Sentencing is scheduled for September 20, 27, October 4, and November 11, 2024. The convictions send a stark warning to other organized crime syndicates: The days of impunity are over.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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