Cesar De La O Rodriguez, a 21-year-old citizen of El Salvador and member of the 18th Street gang, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for his involvement in the killing of a suspected rival gang member. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court and was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent Sean Ryan.
Rodriguez, also known as "Lunatico," pleaded guilty to charges related to racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder on February 9, 2024. Shortly after his plea, he was involved in a stabbing incident at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Virginia, facing further charges of attempted murder.
The case stems from an event on December 19, 2021, when Rodriguez and co-defendants targeted Danis Alcides Salgado Mata in Rockville, Maryland. Believing Mata to be part of MS-13, they followed him home and opened fire, resulting in Mata's death and injuries to his mother and stepfather.
Rodriguez's actions were intended to elevate his status within the gang. He will face deportation hearings upon completing his sentence.
The investigation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces initiative aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations. Agencies involved included the FBI Washington Field Office and Montgomery County Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys John Korba, Sitara Witanachchi, and William Hart are prosecuting the case.