E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
Three individuals affiliated with the MS-13 gang have been charged in federal complaints for allegedly murdering a former member cooperating with law enforcement. The Justice Department announced that Dennis Anaya Urias, 26, and Grevil Zelaya Santiago, 25, both from South Los Angeles, are facing charges of murder in aid of racketeering. This charge carries a mandatory life sentence and a potential death penalty.
Roberto Carlos Aguilar, 30, also from South Los Angeles and an illegal alien from El Salvador, faces similar charges. Urias holds legal permanent residency status while Santiago has a pending visa application.
The three suspects appeared in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. They were ordered to be held without bond until their arraignment on June 3.
Affidavits indicate that on February 18, Urias and Santiago fatally shot the victim at a grocery store in South Los Angeles. The victim's cooperation with authorities made him a target within MS-13 due to a "green light" order for his murder by fellow gang members.
Approximately an hour before the incident, Aguilar reportedly encountered the victim inside the store and subsequently initiated actions leading to the shooting by Urias and Santiago.
Court documents suggest that by committing this act, Aguilar, Urias, and Santiago sought either to avoid punishment or to elevate their standing within MS-13.
The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are conducting investigations into these cases. Assistant United States Attorney Shawn T. Andrews is handling prosecution efforts.
These proceedings fall under Operation Take Back America—a Justice Department initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues and dismantling cartels as well as transnational criminal organizations.
All defendants remain innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court. A criminal complaint constitutes only an allegation.
