Maryland MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced To 28 Years In Federal Prison Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Two Murders

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis today sentenced Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, a/k/a “Freddy,” “Magic,” “Miclo,” and “Delinquente,” age 26, of Adelphi, Maryland, to 28 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including two murders, related to his activities as part of the MS-13 gang.  Judge Xinis also ordered that Sanchez must pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs incurred by Victim 1 and Victim 4’s estates.

According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States.  In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.  Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position.

As detailed in the plea agreement and other court documents, from at least August 2018 through July 2021, Sanchez was a member and associate of Weedams Locos Salvatrucha, (WLS) an MS-13 clique operating primarily in Adelphi, Maryland. According to the plea agreement, on February 23, 2020, at the direction of an MS-13 leader, Sanchez and co-defendant MS-13 member Hernan Yanes-Rivera, shot and killed Victim 1, a former WLS member, in retaliation for the victim’s suspected cooperation with law enforcement.  As a result of his participation in the murder, Sanchez was promoted within the hierarchy of MS-13.

As detailed in court documents, on August 8, 2020, Sanchez and several WLS members agreed to the murder of Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt.  After driving to a wooded area in Prince George’s County, Maryland, WLS leader Brayan Alexander Torres called Victim 4 and told him to come to the wooded area to participate in a disciplinary beating of Sanchez.  In fact, Sanchez knew that the gang intended to murder Victim 4.

Sanchez was armed with a revolver, and Torres gave a second revolver to another MS-13 member to participate in the murder.  When Victim 4 arrived, Sanchez and the other MS-13 member each fired multiple shots at Victim 4, causing Victim 4 to fall to the ground.  Sanchez then pistol-whipped Victim 4 and stabbed him with a knife.  Torres and other WLS members dragged Victim 4’s body to a stream and left it there.  As he was leaving the woods, Sanchez noticed he was bleeding and became concerned that his DNA was left on the body.  To prevent the discovery of DNA or other evidence and to hinder the investigation and prosecution of Victim 4’s murder, Torres called other WLS members, including co-defendant Agustino Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, and ordered them to bring shovels to the wooded area, where they dug a hole and buried Victim 4’s body.  Victim 4’s body was later recovered with a bullet wound to the head.

Sanchez also participated in money laundering by transferring gang funds to MS-13 members and associates in El Salvador.  Sanchez knew the money he transferred was the proceeds of the gang’s extortion activities. The government and the defendants have agreed that, if the Court accepts their guilty pleas, Brayan Alexander Torres, a/k/a “Spooky,” age 29, of Adelphi, Maryland, will be sentenced to 28 years in federal prison, and Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” age 22, of Adelphi, Maryland and Agustino Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, will be sentenced to 22 years and 16 years in federal prison, respectively.  U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Torres on August 31, 2023; for Rivas Rodriguez on July 21, 2023; and for Yanes-Rivera on July 28, 2023.

Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement.  The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know.  You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13(1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

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