Brayan Alexander Torres, Racketeering, Maryland 2024

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Brayan Alexander Torres, a/k/a 'Spooky,' age 29, of Adelphi, Maryland, yesterday to 28 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to his participation in the Weedams Locos Salvatrucha ('WLS') clique of the MS-13 gang, which operated primarily in Adelphi, Maryland.

Torres was the clique's leader or 'First Word.' Judge Xinis also ordered that Torres pay restitution in the full amount of the victims' losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 4's estate.

The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George's County Police Department.

According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as 'MS-13,' is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in Maryland and throughout the United States. MS-13 members are organized in 'cliques,' smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region, and are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rivals.

On August 8, 2020, Torres and other WLS members, including Franklyn Sanchez, were gathered at a park in Prince George's County, Maryland, where they agreed to murder Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt. Sanchez was armed with a revolver and Torres handed a second revolver to another MS-13 member, instructing that person to shoot first when Victim 4 arrived.

Sanchez and the other WLS member each fired multiple shots at Victim 4, who fell to the ground. Sanchez then pistol-whipped Victim 4 and stabbed him with a knife. Torres then stabbed Victim 4 with a screwdriver. Torres and other WLS members dragged Victim 4's body to a stream and left it there.

On June 5, 2020, Torres conspired with other MS-13 members to kidnap and kill a female member of the rival 18th Street gang. Torres and Rivas Rodriguez ordered subordinate members of the gang to gather at a house with firearms in preparation for the murder, while another MS-13 associate was at a separate location with Victim 5. The group of MS-13 subordinates gathered with guns and were preparing to follow their orders when police arrived on scene and interrupted the plan.

Torres also directed the collection of extortion payments, or 'rents,' from at least two extortion victims on behalf of WLS, knowing that the victims making extortion payments did so under the threat of death or bodily injury by members of WLS.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/maryland-ms-13-gang-leader-sentenced-28-years-federal-prison-participating-racketeering