Hector Daniel Villanueva-Cortez, Murder, Maryland 2024

A federal grand jury has returned a second superseding indictment charging four more defendants, all from Hyattsville, Maryland, with participating in a violent racketeering conspiracy known as the La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13.

The indictment alleges that Hector Daniel Villanueva-Cortez, a/k/a ‘Muertito,’ age 24, was a member of MS-13 who planned and committed murders, attempted murders, kidnapping, assaults, and robberies in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.

The indictment also alleges that Villanueva-Cortez, along with other MS-13 members, committed extortion and witness tampering, among other crimes.

On January 3, 2010, co-defendant Wilmer Argueta and other MS-13 members allegedly attempted to kidnap and assault two victims in the area of East West Highway and Riggs Road.

According to the indictment, several MS-13 members caught one of the victims in a nearby wooded area and sexually assaulted her as retribution for associating with a rival gang.

Hector Daniel Villanueva-Cortez is currently in custody and faces charges for his alleged involvement in the MS-13 racketeering conspiracy.

Defendant:

Hector Daniel Villanueva-Cortez, a/k/a ‘Muertito,’ age 24
Charges: Participating in a violent racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, assaults, and robberies
City and State: Hyattsville, Maryland
Date: June 16, 2024
Outcome: Currently in custody

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