A federal jury convicted eight defendants of multiple charges related to a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, after a 16-week trial.
The defendants, all members of the Plainfield Locos Salvatrucha (PLS) Clique of MS-13, were convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The jury’s verdict marked a significant blow to the notorious gang, which has been linked to numerous violent crimes in the region.
The eight defendants convicted of racketeering-related charges are:
Santos Reyes-Villatoro, aka Mousey, 43, of Bound Brook, New Jersey; Mario Oliva, aka Zorro, 29, of Plainfield, New Jersey; Roberto Contreras, aka Demonio, 27, of Bound Brook; Julian Moz-Aguilar, aka Humilde and Demente, 28, of Plainfield; Hugo Palencia, aka Taliban, 24, of Plainfield; Jose Garcia, aka Chucky and Diabolico, 24, of Plainfield; Cruz Flores, aka Bruja, 30, of Plainfield; and Esau Ramirez, aka Panda, 25, of Plainfield.
The defendants were each convicted of various charges, including one count of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. Santos Reyes-Villatoro, Mario Oliva, Roberto Contreras, Julian Moz-Aguilar, and Hugo Palencia were also each convicted of one count of murder in aid of racketeering, one count of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and causing death through the use of a firearm.
The sentencing for the defendants is scheduled for September 7, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler of the District of New Jersey.
According to evidence presented at trial, MS-13 is a national and transnational gang with branches or ‘cliques’ operating throughout the United States, including in Plainfield. The defendants were all members of the Plainfield Locos Salvatrucha (PLS) Clique of MS-13, and Santos Reyes-Villatoro, Mario Oliva, and Roberto Contreras all served as ‘First Word,’ or leader, of the PLS Clique.
The evidence presented at trial showed that from at least 2007 through September 2013, MS-13 members from the PLS Clique committed five murders in furtherance of MS-13. The defendants were convicted of their involvement in these murders, including the murder of a victim who was believed to be a member of a rival gang, the Latin Kings.
The convictions are a significant victory for law enforcement and a major blow to the MS-13 gang. The defendants will face sentencing on September 7, 2016, and could face significant prison time as a result of their convictions.
Related Federal Cases
- Santos Reyes-Villatoro, Murder in aid of racketeering, New Jersey 2013 · Washington
- Joel Antonio Cortez, Racketeering Conspiracy, New Jersey 2024 · Washington
- Wilmer Chavez Romero, Racketeering and Murder in Aid of Racketeering, New Jersey 2023 · New Mexico
- Sato Satka, Bank Fraud, New Jersey 2024 · Illinois
- Tadas Petrauskas, Identity Theft, New Jersey 2008 · Idaho
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Organized Crime, Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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