A federal jury in Maryland has convicted three men associated with the MS-13 gang for their roles in two murders and multiple attempted murders. The defendants, Wilson Arturo Constanza-Galdomez (also known as Humilde and Marco Saravia), 26, of El Salvador; Edis Omar Valenzuela-Rodriguez (also known as Little Felon), 24, of Honduras; and Jonathan Pesquera-Puerto (also known as Truney), 24, of Honduras, were found guilty of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving violent crimes.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the three men were members or associates of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a transnational criminal organization primarily composed of immigrants or descendants from Central America. The group operates throughout Maryland—including Baltimore City and Baltimore County—and across the United States. Within MS-13, members are organized into smaller groups called “cliques” that operate regionally.
Prosecutors said that members like Constanza-Galdomez, Valenzuela-Rodriguez, and Pesquera-Puerto were required to commit acts of violence to rise within the gang’s ranks. One key rule is that members must attack and kill rivals whenever possible. In Maryland, MS-13 maintained rivalries with other gangs such as the 18th Street Gang.
“Over the course of a few short months, these defendants – seeking to be promoted within the ranks of the designated foreign terrorist organization MS-13 – spread fear through the streets of Baltimore by committing brutal and heinous acts, including the murder of two young women,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s verdict demonstrates the Department of Justice’s unwavering commitment to prosecuting MS-13 members to the fullest extent of the law in order to eradicate the transnational street gang, obtain a measure of justice for their victims, and restore the safety and security of our communities.”
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland added: “The MS-13 gang continues to show a total disregard for human life. These defendants’ commitment to carrying out multiple vicious attacks and murders, including the killing a 16-year-old girl, is unconscionable. Members of this ruthless, international gang thrive on murdering and terrorizing others, and in this case, did so to advance their standing within this lawless organization. We, along with our law-enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing and prosecuting those who commit these despicable crimes and dismantling the violent criminal organizations that terrorize our communities.”
Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division stated: “The defendants convicted today engaged in excessive and brutal violence as members of MS-13, a transnational criminal organization that routinely shows contempt for the rule of law. We are proud of the work that has taken these individuals off the streets so that they can no longer harm the community of the greater Baltimore area, and we will continue our nationwide efforts in thwarting MS-13.”
Evidence showed that between June 2019 through at least October 2021:
- Constanza-Galdomez was part of Carlington Locos Salvatrucha (CALS) clique.
- Valenzuela-Rodriguez belonged to Huntington Criminales Locos Salvatrucha (HCLS) clique.
They participated in two murders—one victim being Gabriela Gonzalez-Ardon—a 16-year-old girl suspected by them to associate with rival gangs—and Michelle Tenezaca—whom they believed cooperated with police—as well as four attempted murders.
On April 25th 2020 they assaulted a man using machetes after suspecting him as a rival member; on May 29th they murdered Gonzalez-Ardon near Loch Raven Reservoir; on June 5th they killed Tenezaca near CSX Bayview Train Yard; on June 6th they attacked another man along with his girlfriend—both survived despite severe injuries.
All three face mandatory minimum sentences of life imprisonment following convictions for racketeering conspiracy charges; sentencing will be determined by a federal district judge based on U.S Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti and U.S Attorney Kelly O Hayes who thanked local state attorneys Ivan J Bates (Baltimore City) and Scott Shellenberger (Baltimore County) for their offices’ assistance.
The investigation involved several agencies including FBI Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore County Police Department Baltimore City Police Department and U.S Marshals Service.
Trial Attorneys Grace Bowen & Christopher Taylor from DOJ’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section together with Assistant U.S Attorney James Wallner prosecuted this case.
This prosecution forms part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative led by DOJ aiming at combating illegal immigration eliminating cartels/transnational criminal organizations protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators through coordinated resources such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) & Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Authorities encourage anyone with information about MS-13 activities call FBI tipline at 1–866–STP–MS13 or HSI at 1–866–DHS–2–ICE.
