Victor Ramirez, MS-13 Racketeering, Maryland 2008
MS-13 Leader Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison
A federal judge has sentenced Victor Ramirez, a/k/a 'Mousey,' to 60 years in prison for his role in MS-13's racketeering activities, armed robbery, and gun violation in Maryland.
Ramirez, a 30-year-old native of El Salvador, was convicted in November 2008 after a four-week jury trial. The charges against him included conspiracy to conduct and participate in racketeering enterprise activities, including three murders and an attempted murder; armed robbery of a business; and using and carrying a gun in furtherance of a crime of violence.
According to testimony presented during trial, Ramirez was a leader in the Teclas Locos Salvatruchos (TLS) clique of MS-13 in El Salvador and Maryland. He was sent to Maryland from El Salvador as part of a plan to strengthen MS-13's presence in the state and expand the gang's criminal activity.
Witnesses testified that Ramirez was instrumental in implementing 'The Program,' a scheme to rob and extort prostitution houses and other illegal businesses in order to collect funds for MS-13. He was also involved in the planning and execution of two murders, including the shooting of Jose Cerda and Edward Trujillo in Riverdale, Maryland, and the murder of Alejandro Rubi-Martinez in Langley Park, Maryland.
U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, 'The evidence proved that MS-13 sent Victor Ramirez to Maryland from El Salvador as part of a plan to strengthen the MS-13 gang and expand the gang's criminal activity.' Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer added, 'Victor Ramirez' mission was to boost the level of MS-13's criminal activities on the streets of Maryland. Today's sentence is a warning to gang members with similar aspirations that we won't tolerate this sort of criminal behavior in our neighborhoods.'
Ramirez will serve 60 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the threat he posed to the community.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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