Jose Bonilla-Mejia, Murder, Ohio 2015

Columbus, OH – A Santa Maria, California man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release for his role in three Columbus murders.

Jose Bonilla-Mejia, 31, participated in the 2015 murders of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, Wilson Villeda and Salvador Martinez-Diaz. He also played a role in planning a 2016 murder at an apartment complex at Melroy Avenue and Kelburn Road in Columbus.

Bonilla-Mejia pleaded guilty in August 2019 to participating in a racketeering conspiracy and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering. He is one of 23 individuals charged in a February 2018 second superseding indictment who are alleged to be members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus.

“This is a violent transnational criminal organization that victimizes the citizens of the United States and Central America,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers. “Mr. Bonilla-Mejia personally participated in the murders and mutilations of victims with the purpose of sending a message from MS-13. With this sentence, we are sending a message back. Mr. Bonilla-Mejia and many of his coconspirators will die in prison.”

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 the murders of Jose Mendez, Ramon Ramos, Carlos Serrano-Ramos, Wilson Villeda, and Salvador Martinez-Diaz.

Bonilla-Mejia was arrested in Akron, Ohio in March 2016 and was transported to California and then returned to Ohio to face his federal charges. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

Related Federal Cases