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Three MS-13 Members Convicted of Murders, Attempted Murders, Maryland 2023
A federal jury in Maryland has convicted three men of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving murders, attempted murders, and murder in aid of racketeering. Wilson Arturo Constanza-Galdomez, also known as Humilde, Marco Saravia, 26, of El Salvador, Edis Omar Valenzuela-Rodriguez, also known as Little Felon, 24, of Honduras, and Jonathan Pesquera-Puerto, also known as Truney, 24, of Honduras, were found guilty of their roles in the MS-13 gang.
The defendants were members and associates of La Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, a transnational criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from Central America. In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in "cliques," smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region. The defendants, as members and associates of MS-13, were required to commit acts of violence to increase their status and rank within the gang.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants participated in the racketeering activities of MS-13, including two murders, four attempted murders, and witness tampering. Constanza-Galdomez and Pesquera-Puerto were members or associates of the Carlington Locos Salvatrucha (CALS) clique, and Valenzuela-Rodriguez was a member of the Huntington Criminales Locos Salvatrucha (HCLS) clique.
"Over the course of a few short months, these defendants – seeking to be promoted within the ranks of the designated foreign terrorist organization MS-13 – spread fear through the streets of Baltimore by committing brutal and heinous acts, including the murder of two young women," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti. "Today’s verdict demonstrates the Department of Justice’s unwavering commitment to prosecuting MS-13 members to the fullest extent of the law in order to eradicate the transnational street gang, obtain a measure of justice for their victims, and restore the safety and security of our communities."
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland said, "The MS-13 gang continues to show a total disregard for human life. These defendants’ commitment to carrying out multiple vicious attacks and murders, including the killing a 16-year-old girl, is unconscionable. Members of this ruthless, international gang thrive on murdering and terrorizing others, and in this case, did so to advance their standing within this lawless organization."
The convictions are a result of an ongoing investigation by the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, with assistance from the Baltimore City Police Department and the Baltimore County Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
The defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for a later date.
Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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