12 Alleged Members Of MS-13 In Santa Cruz Charged Federally With Racketeering Conspiracy, Murder, Arson, Extortion, And Other Crimes
All Defendants
Racketeering Conspiracy
18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)
Life in prison
5 years of supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Velarmino Escobar-Ayala (aka Meduza)
38
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Force
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
10 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Tomas Rivera (aka Profugo, aka Caballo)
25
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Force
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
10 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Ismael Alvarenga-Rivera (aka Casper)
39
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Force
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Willfredo Ayala-Garcia (aka Chino)
33
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Force
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Jose David Abrego-Galdamez (aka Largo)
38
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Force
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Melvin Lopez (aka Sharky)
26
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Force
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
10 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Alexander Martinez-Flores (aka Pocar)
29
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by Force
18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
10 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Murder in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1))
Death penalty eligible
Mandatory life in prison
5 years of supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Use/Possess/Brandish/Discharge of Firearm in Furtherance of Crime of Violence
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
Life in prison
5 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Use of Firearm in Furtherance of Crime of Violence Resulting in Death 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1)
Death penalty eligible
Life in prison
5 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Gerber Morales (aka Choco, aka Chuki)
30
Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)
Life in prison
(minimum 10 years)
Lifetime of supervised release
(minimum 5 years)
Fine of $10,000,000
Emilio Escobar-Albarnga (aka Diablo)
37
Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)
Life in prison
(minimum 10 years)
Lifetime of supervised release
(minimum 5 years)
Fine of $10,000,000
Josue Alcedis Escobar-Cerritos (aka Penguino, aka Chui)
30
Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii)
Life in prison
(minimum 10 years)
Lifetime of supervised release
(minimum 5 years)
Fine of $10,000,000
Erick Escalante-Torres (aka Deceptico, aka Problematico)
23
Accessory After the Fact to Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 3
(2 counts)
15 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Use of Fire in Commission of Felony 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)
(2 counts)
10 years in prison
(mandatory and consecutive to any other term of imprisonment)
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. §1959(a)(5)
10 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3)
20 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Use/Possess/Brandish/Discharge of Firearm in Furtherance of Crime of Violence
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
(2 counts)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
10 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Murder in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1))
Death penalty eligible
Mandatory life in prison
5 years of supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Use of Firearm in Furtherance of Crime of Violence Resulting in Death 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1)
Death penalty eligible
5 years of supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Jose Noe Ramirez-Avelar (aka Chepito, aka Sparky)
28
Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering
18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)
10 years in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Murder in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1))
Death penalty eligible
Mandatory life in prison
5 years of supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Use/Possess/Brandish/Discharge of Firearm in Furtherance of Crime of Violence
18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)
Life in prison
3 years supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Use of Firearm in Furtherance of Crime of Violence Resulting in Death 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1)
Death penalty eligible
5 years of supervised release
Fine of the greater of $250,000, twice the gain to the defendant, or twice the loss inflicted on another
Department of Justice
Office of the U.S. Attorney
Northern District of California
Source: Justice.gov