Cesar De La O Rodriguez, a 21-year-old Salvadoran national and member of the 18th Street gang, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison. The sentence was handed down by the U.S. District Court for his involvement in the 2021 killing of Danis Alcides Salgado Mata in Rockville, Maryland. The crime was committed to enhance Rodriguez's status within the gang.

The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., for the District of Columbia, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan from the Washington Field Office, Criminal and Cyber Division.

Rodriguez, known as "Lunatico," entered a guilty plea on February 9, 2024. He admitted to conspiring to participate in a racketeer influenced and corrupt organization (RICO Conspiracy) and conspiracy to commit violent crime in aid of racketeering-murder.

Following his plea, on February 18, Rodriguez was involved in a stabbing incident at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia. He now faces additional charges related to attempted murder and malicious wounding resulting in significant physical impairment.

Upon completion of his prison term, Rodriguez will undergo deportation hearings.

The 18th Street gang is known for various criminal activities including assault, robbery, kidnapping, murder, and firearms trafficking both within the United States and internationally. Gang members are expected to engage in violence to promote gang interests. These acts often target rival gangs or individuals perceived as cooperating with law enforcement.

Court documents reveal that on December 19, 2021, Rodriguez and others followed Mata home under orders from a senior gang member. Believing Mata to be affiliated with MS-13, they opened fire at his residence on Ashby Road in Rockville. Mata died from multiple gunshot wounds while his mother and stepfather were injured but survived. The attackers then fled into the District of Columbia.

At the time of the shooting, Rodriguez held a low rank within the gang but was promoted after committing this act.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks threatening the United States through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

The investigation involved contributions from several entities including the FBI Washington Field Office and Montgomery County Police Department. The prosecution team consists of Assistant United States Attorneys John Korba, Sitara Witanachchi, and William Hart.