Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Two members of the MS-13 gang were sentenced in Boston federal court for their involvement in a murder case. Jose Vasquez, known as "Cholo" or "Little Crazy," was sentenced to 25 years in prison with an additional five years of supervised release. He had already been serving a sentence for racketeering-related crimes. William Pineda Portillo, also known as "Humilde," received a 16-year sentence and faces deportation after serving his time.
Both men were involved in the murder of a 28-year-old man in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in December 2010. The victim was found with multiple stab wounds and injuries to his head. Vasquez and Pineda Portillo conspired with others to commit the crime due to suspicions that the victim was part of a rival gang.
Pineda Portillo fled to El Salvador but returned to the U.S., where he attempted to sell a firearm illegally. He was arrested while trying to cross back into Texas from Mexico. A fingerprint analysis revealed an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
The sentencing announcement came from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley along with officials from various law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Massachusetts State Police, Somerville Police Department, and Chelsea Police Department.
The operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at dismantling significant criminal organizations through multi-agency collaboration.
