Five members of the gang Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) were convicted by a jury in Los Angeles for committing six murders as part of efforts to improve their status within the gang. The victims suffered various forms of violence, including being strangled, shot, stabbed with knives or a machete, and beaten with a baseball bat. In some instances, their bodies were disposed of in remote areas such as the Angeles National Forest.
The trial lasted nine weeks and resulted in Walter Chavez Larin, Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, and Edwin Martinez being found guilty of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Chavez and Corado were also convicted on two counts each of violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder, while Martinez was found guilty on three counts. Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias and Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias were each convicted on one count of VICAR murder.
“We thank the jury for returning swift guilty verdicts against these MS-13 criminals who engaged in horrific acts of violence and murder,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “I thank and commend our law enforcement partners for their work in removing members of this terrorist organization from our streets. MS-13 is a violent brutal gang that must be eliminated from the United States, and we will not stop until we succeed in our mission.”
United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented: “The horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying MS-13 and putting its depraved members behind bars. Under President Trump, MS-13 can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: We will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims.”
Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office stated: “Cases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The defendants in this case carried out barbaric attacks on their victims to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. I’m proud of the hard work that went into this trial by agents and prosecutors which resulted in a guilty verdict and a measure of justice for the victims, and which will effectively remove murderers and terrorists from Los Angeles communities.”
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell added: “The brutality of these crimes is a stark reminder of the importance of our shared mission: to protect the people of Los Angeles from those who seek to do harm. I thank every investigator, prosecutor, and law enforcement professional who contributed to this case. Their dedication has brought justice to the victims and sent a clear message — we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our city. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to stand against gang violence in all its forms.”
“These convictions send a powerful message that criminal gang violence and intimidation have no place in Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “These violent individuals terrorized our communities and tore families apart to further their criminal network. Through the tireless efforts of our local and federal partners, we have brought justice to the victims’ families and held these individuals accountable for their brutal crimes.”
“MS-13 has inflicted unimaginable suffering on victims and their families in our communities,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “These guilty verdicts for crimes related to murder, extortion and drug trafficking against five members of MS-13’s leadership demonstrate the relentless and fearless partnership between local and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that most victims were believed either to be affiliated with rival gangs or had violated internal rules set by MS-13 leadership within its Los Angeles cliques.
Specific murders cited included incidents where one victim claiming an MS-13 leadership role was killed with knives; another rumored 18th Street member was lured by teenagers before being killed; while others involved shootings after being mistaken for rivals or violating gang codes.
Sentencing hearings are scheduled before United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II for July 2026; each defendant faces mandatory life imprisonment without parole.
To date there have been 25 convictions connected with this case; additional trials involving other MS-13 members are expected next year.
The investigation involved cooperation among multiple agencies including the FBI, Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond, Sara B. Vargas (Major Crimes Section), Benedetto L. Balding (Transnational Organized Crime Section), William Larsen (Criminal Appeals Section), along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Siddall prosecuted the case.
