⏱ 2 min read
Two members of the notorious 18th Street Gang, Herberth Rodríguez and Elias Martínez Villanueva, were found guilty of murder in-aid-of racketeering and other gang-related crimes in Queens, New York. The verdict came after a three-week trial, which revealed the duo’s involvement in the brutal murder of Diego Vanegas Vásquez on November 1, 2020. Rodríguez and Martínez Villanueva terrorized the community around Roosevelt Avenue, claiming it as their territory.
Rodríguez was also convicted of racketeering, attempted murder, narcotics trafficking, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Martínez Villanueva was found guilty of illegally re-entering the United States. The prosecution was led by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella, Jr., with assistance from the FBI and the New York City Police Department.
The guilty verdict brings a sense of relief to the community, which was plagued by the gang’s violent activities. According to U.S. Attorney Nocella, the neighborhoods of Jackson Heights and Corona are safer with the defendants removed from society. The conviction is a significant blow to the 18th Street Gang, known for its transnational reach and brutal crimes.
The defendants face a mandatory term of life imprisonment when sentenced. The case is a testament to the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle violent gangs and protect communities from their reign of terror.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New York
- Location: NY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
