COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a shocking turn of events, Jorge A. Landaverde, 35, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to murder in aid of racketeering.
According to court documents, Landaverde is one of 23 individuals charged in a second superseding indictment in February 2018 who are alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.
The defendants are charged in a racketeering conspiracy, which includes five murders as well as attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, assault, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation, weapons offenses and immigration-related violations.
The second superseding indictment alleges that the defendants committed a host of overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, including: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a suspected confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; and 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus.
As part of his plea, Landaverde accepted responsibility for his role in the murder of Martinez-Diaz. Landaverde faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
In related news, an associate of the MS-13 enterprise was sentenced in federal court in Columbus. Carolina Garcia-Miranda, 31, of Columbus, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for racketeering conspiracy. She will receive credit for time served.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, ICE, Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Brian J. Martinez and Jessica H. Kim, who are prosecuting the case.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant/Respondent: Jorge A. Landaverde, Exact Criminal Charges: Murder in aid of racketeering, City and State: Columbus, Ohio, Exact Date: Not specified, Sentence or Outcome: Faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
