WASHINGTON – A notorious MS-13 gang leader was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a string of violent crimes, including the murder of a witness.
Juan Carlos Moreira, aka “Stokey” and “Stocky,” was sentenced to life in prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Deborah K. Chasanow for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as MS-13, conspiring to and committing murder in aid of racketeering, witness tampering murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
The sentence was handed down on November 22, 2006, and included an order for Moreira to pay $4,886 in restitution for the funeral and burial costs of Randy Calderon, whom Moreira shot and killed.
According to his plea agreement, Moreira, 30, a native of El Salvador who resided in Silver Spring, Md., 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, MS-13 has members operating throughout Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, 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.
The evidence against Moreira included his role in a stabbing incident on January 1, 2003, in which he and other MS-13 members attacked an MS-13 member from a Virginia clique. Moreira also admitted to possessing a MAC-90 automatic assault rifle and selling it to an undercover law enforcement agent in April 2003.
Additionally, Moreira was implicated in the murder of a suspected rival gang member, Eliuth Madrigal, who was stabbed repeatedly in Moreira’s apartment in Silver Spring on November 22, 2003. Moreira ordered the removal of Madrigal’s body and attempted to cover up the crime by painting the walls and changing the carpet in the apartment.
The evidence against Moreira was presented by a team of investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and local law enforcement agencies. Moreira’s sentence is a significant blow to the MS-13 gang, which has been responsible for numerous violent crimes in the region.
Juan Carlos Moreira, 30, a native of El Salvador who resided in Silver Spring, Md.
Criminal charges: Conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as MS-13, conspiring to and committing murder in aid of racketeering, witness tampering murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
City and state: Washington, D.C.
Date: November 22, 2006.
Sentence: Life in prison.
Restitution: $4,886.
Related Federal Cases
- Juan Marcus Smith, Parkway Assault, Maryland 2024 · Virginia
- Angela M. Blythe, Bank Fraud, Maryland 2014 · Washington
- Brian Hooper, Consulting Scam, Maryland 2008 · Virginia
- David Paschall, Oxycodone Trafficking and Burglary, Maryland 2015 · Washington
- Abdelrahim Ayyad, Armed Robbery Conspiracy and Robberies, Maryland 2014 · Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent Crime|Organized CrimeViolent Crime|Organized CrimeViolent Crime|Organized CrimeViolent Crime|Organized Crime