A federal grand jury has indicted two individuals from Annapolis, Maryland, for murder in aid of racketeering. Manuel Erazo Alvarado, known as "Castigo," and Erick Guillen Pleitez, known as "Kilo," were charged on February 13, 2025. The charges relate to their alleged involvement with the MS-13 gang.
Court documents describe MS-13 as an international criminal organization primarily composed of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador. It is alleged that both defendants were involved with MS-13 in Maryland during 2017. They reportedly engaged in narcotics distribution, extortion activities referred to as "rent," and acts of violence. On August 29, 2017, they allegedly participated in a murder to maintain and increase their status within the gang. If convicted, they face a mandatory life sentence or potentially the death penalty.
The announcement was made by Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office; Michael McCarthy of Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore; Amal E. Awad of Anne Arundel County Police Department; Edward Jackson of Annapolis Police Department; and Colonel Roland L. Butler Jr., Superintendent of Maryland State Police.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including the FBI, HSI, Anne Arundel County Police Department, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Prosecutors for this case include Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark and James Hammond along with Criminal Division Trial Attorneys Matthew Hoff and Amanda Kotula from the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations through resources from DOJ's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Individuals with information about MS-13 are encouraged to contact law enforcement via nationwide tiplines provided by FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 or HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
It is important to note that an indictment does not equate to guilt; those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court proceedings.