Juan Amaya-Ramirez, also known as “Cadaver,” was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of 17-year-old Andy Peralta. The sentencing took place at a federal court in Brooklyn before United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. Amaya-Ramirez is associated with MS-13, a transnational criminal organization with thousands of members across the United States and leadership based in El Salvador and Honduras. Co-defendant Oscar Flores-Mejia, also an MS-13 associate, pleaded guilty to the same crime and is awaiting sentencing.
According to prosecutors, on April 23, 2018, Peralta was lured to Kissena Park in Queens under false pretenses by Leyla Carranza, who befriended him as part of the plan. Flores-Mejia had seen a video online showing Peralta briefly flashing a sign associated with the rival 18th Street gang. This led Flores-Mejia to recruit both Amaya-Ramirez and a 16-year-old accomplice to participate in the attack.
On the day of the murder, Flores-Mejia purchased gloves and carried a knife while Carranza brought Peralta to a predetermined spot in Kissena Park. The group attacked Peralta; he was beaten until exhausted, then strangled by Amaya-Ramirez while Flores-Mejia stomped on his head and put dirt in his mouth. After killing him, they stabbed him and slashed his tattoo before taking photographs over his body and stealing his money.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., FBI Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia, and HSI Special Agent Ricky J. Patel announced the sentence. “The senselessness of this murder is matched only by its brutality,” said United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendants lured Andy Peralta to a secluded part of Kissena park where they beat him mercilessly before Amaya-Ramirez choked him to death and Flores-Mejia hacked him with a knife. The murder of this young victim is a chilling reminder of MS-13’s callous disregard for human life. Bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice is one of our Office’s highest priorities.”
“Juan Amaya-Ramriez, an MS-13 associate, brutally attacked and murdered Andy Peralta out of senseless retaliation,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The defendant unjustly sentenced Peralta to a horrific death due to a false perception of his status as a rival. The FBI continues to make significant strides throughout Operation Summer Heat to hold accountable gang members maliciously acting as the judge, jury, and executioner to promote their operations.”
“For far too long, senseless gang violence has plagued our neighborhoods and devastated families,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Patel. “Andy Peralta was viciously beaten, stabbed, and strangled to death by savages whose sentences now reflect the seriousness of their crimes. Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI New York will not stand by as our streets are overrun by violent gang members. The eradication of gang violence on Long Island and throughout the state remains an utmost priority for HSI New York and our law enforcement partners.”
The prosecution is part of ongoing efforts targeting MS-13 members within New York’s Eastern District since 2003; hundreds have been convicted on federal felony charges related mostly to racketeering offenses such as murders or attempted murders committed during assaults (https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/ms-13-gang-associate-sentenced-45-years-prison-murder-17-year-old-victim-kissena). Investigations were conducted by agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York along with participation from FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force comprised of agents from both FBI and NYPD.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia E. Moore, Jonathan Siegel, and Anna L. Karamigios are leading this prosecution through the Organized Crime & Gangs Section.
Amaya-Ramirez is from Fresh Meadows; co-defendant Oscar Flores-Mejia resides in Elmhurst; Leyla Carranza previously received her sentence after being involved.
