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MS-13 Gang Leader Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Offenses, Including Murder of Witness
In a shocking turn of events, Juan Carlos Moreira, also known as “Stokey” and “Stocky,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in aid of a racketeering enterprise known as MS-13, conspiracy to participate in racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, witness tampering murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
According to the plea agreement, Moreira was a leader of the Sailor Locos Salvatruchos Westside (SLSW) clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, a gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating throughout Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Md., and elsewhere inside and outside of the United States.
Moreira was born in El Salvador where he was “jumped in” to the SLSW clique. In 1998, Moreira entered the United States illegally and, along with four other people, founded the SLSW clique in Maryland in the summer of 2000. From that time until the summer of 2003, Moreira held the leadership position of “First Word” of the Maryland SLSW clique, which required him to lead clique meetings, represent the clique at general and regional meetings, direct the activities of the clique and pay dues.
Moreira admitted to his involvement in several violent crimes, including the stabbing of an MS-13 member from a Virginia clique on Jan. 1, 2003, after Moreira and the other MS-13 member had a verbal confrontation at a party.
On April 9, 2003, Moreira sold a MAC-90 automatic assault rifle for $1,500 to an undercover law enforcement agent. He also admitted to possessing the rifle, along with 7.62 mm ammunition, in the early months of 2003.
Moreira’s involvement in the murder of Eliuth Madrigal, a suspected rival gang member, was also revealed. On Nov. 22, 2003, Moreira ordered Nelson Bernal and Randy Calderon to remove Madrigal’s body from his apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland, and later attempted to cover up the crime by painting the walls and changing the carpet.
The guilty plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Baltimore Field Division; Chief Roberto L. Hylton of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the FBI; Special Agent in Charge William Winter of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Chief Darien L. Manley of the Maryland National Capital Park Police.
The defendant, Juan Carlos Moreira, 30, a native of El Salvador who resided in Silver Spring, Maryland, is currently facing a lengthy prison sentence. His sentencing date has not been disclosed yet.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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