Kevin Alexander Castillo Calderon, an affiliate of the MS-13 gang, has been handed a 26-year prison sentence for his participation in various crimes, including murder. The Department of Justice (DOJ) indicated that the case was a collaborative effort involving several agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to a press release from the DOJ, Calderon, a 25-year-old resident of Adelphi, Maryland, was sentenced for his role in the criminal activities of the MS-13 gang. The release reports that Calderon was part of the "Weedams Locos Salvatrucha" (WLS), a subgroup of MS-13. This street gang is primarily composed of immigrants from Central American countries and is infamous for its violent acts aimed at maintaining its reputation and dominance over rival groups.
The release further explains that Calderon's conviction is linked to his involvement in a murder that took place on August 8, 2020, in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Alongside other WLS members - including leader Brayan Alexander Torres and Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez - Calderon "agreed to murder Victim 4". It was reported that efforts were made to conceal this crime by burying the body and disposing of evidence.
In addition to the murder charge, Calderon was implicated in extorting local community members according to the DOJ release. Using threats of violence, he collected money on behalf of the gang. The release also states that Calderon’s co-defendants Torres and Sanchez were deeply involved in these crimes and have already been sentenced to 28 years each with orders to pay restitution for their victims. Various law enforcement agencies investigated this case including FBI and Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore along with Prince George’s County Police Department.
Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case, as per the DOJ press release.
