A Montgomery County jury has convicted 22-year-old Sender Godoy-Lemus of Silver Spring of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and multiple related charges in connection with a 2022 MS-13 gang-related shooting that left one man dead and another seriously injured.
The verdict was returned June 18 following a three-and-a-half-week trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court. Prosecutors said Godoy-Lemus was among several MS-13 members involved in luring 20-year-old Edvin Agustin Leon and a second victim into a wooded area of Northwest Stream Valley Park near Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring on Nov. 9, 2022. Leon was shot and killed, while the second victim survived after pretending to be dead and crawling through the park to seek help. The case was retried after a jury was unable to reach a verdict last year.
In addition to murder and attempted murder, Godoy-Lemus was convicted of conspiracy charges, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence and participation in a criminal organization resulting in death. He faces the possibility of multiple life sentences when he is sentenced. Prosecutors said the investigation, conducted by Montgomery County Police with assistance from the FBI, determined the shootings were ordered by higher-ranking members of the MS-13 gang. Three co-defendants have already been convicted or pleaded guilty, while a fourth remains awaiting trial.
