MS-13 Hitman Gets 51 Years for Murder, Robberies

GREENBELT, MD – Luis Antonio Cruz-Hernandez, a 27-year-old member of the notorious MS-13 gang, will spend the next 51 years in federal prison following a sentencing handed down by U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm. Cruz-Hernandez, also known as “Paniquiado,” received the lengthy sentence for his pivotal role in a calculated murder-for-hire and a string of brazen armed robberies. He was also ordered to pay over $250,000 in restitution to the businesses he victimized.

The case, a multi-agency effort led by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, exposed a chilling conspiracy orchestrated by the Pinos Locotes Salvatrucha (“PLS”) clique of MS-13. Federal investigators, including the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and local police departments from Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, painstakingly pieced together evidence linking Cruz-Hernandez to both the murder plot and the armed robberies. The investigation revealed the brutal realities of MS-13’s operating principles: violence as a means of maintaining control and eliminating rivals – “chavalas” – whenever the opportunity presented itself.

According to court documents, the conspiracy to commit murder began in November 2016. Cruz-Hernandez, acting on behalf of the PLS clique, agreed to assist in the execution of a hitman in exchange for a cut of the payment. He and his co-conspirators conducted surveillance on the intended victim, meticulously planning the assassination. They secured a hotel room near the victim’s residence and utilized vehicles and cell phones to coordinate their movements and communicate. On November 30, 2016, the hitman carried out the murder, and Cruz-Hernandez received a portion of the payment for his involvement.

But the violence didn’t stop there. Between June 2017 and November 2017, Cruz-Hernandez participated in seven armed robberies across Maryland and Virginia, all directed by the same PLS clique member. These weren’t petty thefts; the robberies resulted in losses exceeding $250,000 for the targeted businesses. The gang operated with cold efficiency, terrorizing employees and customers to line their pockets. The prosecution successfully demonstrated how Cruz-Hernandez knowingly utilized interstate commerce – vehicles and communication networks – to facilitate these crimes.

“This sentence sends a clear message: those who align themselves with MS-13 and engage in violent criminal activity will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” stated U.S. Attorney Barron. The lengthy prison term reflects the severity of Cruz-Hernandez’s crimes and the danger he posed to the community. The investigation highlighted the relentless efforts of law enforcement to dismantle MS-13’s operations and bring its members to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by transnational gangs operating within the United States.

Cruz-Hernandez’s 51-year sentence is followed by five years of supervised release. He will be required to make full restitution to the victims of the robberies. The sentencing of Cruz-Hernandez is a significant victory in the ongoing battle against MS-13 and its reign of terror, but authorities warn that the fight is far from over. The PLS clique and other MS-13 factions remain active in the region, and law enforcement remains vigilant in their efforts to disrupt their criminal enterprises.

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