Five members of the criminal gang Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) have been found guilty by a jury in Los Angeles for their involvement in six murders intended to increase their status within the organization. The victims were killed using various methods, including strangulation, shooting, stabbing with knives or a machete, and beating with a baseball bat. Some bodies were disposed of in remote locations such as the Angeles National Forest.
The trial lasted nine weeks and concluded with Walter Chavez Larin, Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, and Edwin Martinez convicted of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Chavez and Corado were also found guilty of two counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder. Martinez was found guilty of three counts of VICAR murder. Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias and his brother Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias were each found guilty of one count of VICAR murder.
“We thank the jury for returning swift guilty verdicts against these MS-13 criminals who engaged in horrific acts of violence and murder,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “I thank and commend our law enforcement partners for their work in removing members of this terrorist organization from our streets. MS-13 is a violent brutal gang that must be eliminated from the United States, and we will not stop until we succeed in our mission.”
United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented: “The horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying MS-13 and putting its depraved members behind bars. Under President Trump, MS-13 can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: We will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims.”
Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, stated: “Cases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The defendants in this case carried out barbaric attacks on their victims to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. I’m proud of the hard work that went into this trial by agents and prosecutors which resulted in a guilty verdict and a measure of justice for the victims, and which will effectively remove murderers and terrorists from Los Angeles communities.”
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell added: “The brutality of these crimes is a stark reminder of the importance of our shared mission: to protect the people of Los Angeles from those who seek to do harm. I thank every investigator, prosecutor, and law enforcement professional who contributed to this case. Their dedication has brought justice to the victims and sent a clear message — we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our city. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to stand against gang violence in all its forms.”
“These convictions send a powerful message that criminal gang violence and intimidation have no place in Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “These violent individuals terrorized our communities and tore families apart to further their criminal network. Through the tireless efforts of our local and federal partners, we have brought justice to the victims’ families and held these individuals accountable for their brutal crimes.”
“MS-13 has inflicted unimaginable suffering on victims and their families in our communities,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “These guilty verdicts for crimes related to murder, extortion and drug trafficking against five members of MS-13’s leadership demonstrate the relentless and fearless partnership between local and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.”
Evidence presented during trial showed that most victims were either actual or suspected members of rival gangs such as 18th Street or had broken rules set by MS-13 leadership.
The prosecution focused on specific cliques within MS-13 operating in Los Angeles that enforced internal rules through extreme violence as a way for members to rise within ranks.
Six murders took place across various remote areas including Malibu hills, Santa Clarita Valley mountains, Van Nuys neighborhoods, as well as multiple sites within Angeles National Forest—often involving weapons like machetes or baseball bats.
Specific incidents included:
- In June 2017: A victim claiming an MS-13 leadership role was taken into forested hills where he was stabbed repeatedly; attempts at decapitation failed.
- In October 2017: Another victim rumored as an 18th Street member was lured by teenagers before being kidnapped, beaten with a bat, stabbed fatally with a large knife then thrown off a cliff.
- In July 2018: A third victim thought affiliated with 18th Street was shot multiple times while standing at an overlook; his body was discarded down a hill.
- Martinez committed three additional murders involving mistaken identity or violations such as drug use.
Sentencing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II for July 2026; each defendant faces mandatory life sentences without parole.
To date there have been 25 convictions tied to this investigation; more defendants are set for trial on related charges next year.
This case involved joint investigation by agencies including FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office along with local police departments.
