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Two MS-13 members could receive life sentences for the murder of a teenager

Avatar of Evaristo Lara

By Evaristo Lara

07 Sep 2024, 13:42 PM EDT

Juan Amaya-Ramirez and Oscar Flores-Mejia, members of the gang known as MS-13, could receive life in prison after pleading guilty to murdering Andy Peralta, 17-year-old boy in Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens.

According to the statements of those involved, The murder that occurred on April 23, 2018, was due to the fact that they were ordered to commit it as an essential requirement to enter the MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha), criminal organization made up of gang members engaged in illegal activities including rape, drug trafficking, extortion, arms smuggling, kidnapping, robbery and contract killings.

In the investigation linked to the case it is mentioned that Amaya-Ramirez, known as “Cadáver”; Flores-Mejía, nicknamed “Chamuco”; and a third person linked to MS-13 conspired to take Peralta’s life because they wanted to join the criminal organizationand they mistakenly believed that their victim was a member of a rival gang.

U.S. prisons are overrun with MS-13 gang members. (Credit: Esteban Felix / AP)

To commit his crime, The confessed criminals detailed having recruited Leyla Carranza, who at that time was Amaya-Ramirez’s girlfriend.

The girl in question was responsible for luring Andy Peralta to Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens, where he was murdered.

To achieve its purpose, Leyla Carranza contacted the teenager through social media and finally convinced him to meet with her.but when Peralta went to the appointment In the park, Amaya-Ramirez, Flores-Mejia and a third MS-13 member first beat him and then strangled him.

Once the crime has been committed, Amaya-Ramírez took a selfie showing her and her accomplices making MS-13 signs with their hands over Peralta’s body.

Due to the premeditated nature, methods used, and cruelty expressed through their acts, those involved were charged with crimes including cyberstalking resulting in death, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit assault in aid of racketeering, and assault in aid of racketeering.

Therefore, federal magistrate Joseph A. Marutollo, based on the terms of their plea agreements, could sentence them to at least 30 years in prison or even life imprisonment.

Continue reading:

• The last of 18 MS-13 gang members has been sentenced for 10 murders and other serious crimes

• A high-ranking MS-13 leader was indicted for terrorism in New York

• Mother sues government for $100 million for rape and murder of her daughter by MS-13 member