Three members of the La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang were sentenced in a Charlotte federal court for violent criminal activities, including murder. Russ Ferguson, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, made the announcement, joined by Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations for North and South Carolina, Robert M. DeWitt, FBI Special Agent in Charge in Charlotte, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Convicted members include Christian Alejandro Garcia Santa Cruz, also known as “Crimen,” and Aderly Jose Veliz-Ronquillo, also known as “Chanchin.” Both received 35-year prison sentences for their roles in the 2022 murder of W.G.M. outside a Charlotte nightclub. Luis Fernando Guardardo Moreno, known as “Fantasma” and “Scrappy,” was sentenced to 20 years for racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, along with a three-year supervised release.
Additional members implicated in this case, Fredy Mauricio Buruca (alias “Piranha,” “Machete,” and “Insoportable”) and Santos Guillermo Ramirez Mancia (alias “Azazel,” “Timido,” and “Johnny”), have pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and await sentencing. Buruca has also admitted to the kidnapping of a minor. Another charged member, Juan Francisco Sanchez Estrada (“Nene” and “Turbo”), pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and awaits sentencing after case consolidation in the Middle District of North Carolina.
“MS-13 is one of the most violent and dangerous criminal gangs operating in the United States. MS-13 members use murder, robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and extortion to support this criminal enterprise and tighten its grip on our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “But we are fighting back. This case has dismantled the local MS-13 clique, and we’re not done. Our goal is not just to prosecute violent gangs, but to eliminate them completely.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge DeWitt added, “Today’s prison sentences should make it clear to MS-13 members and their associates, violence and senseless murder will not be tolerated in North Carolina. The FBI and our partners will use every tool available to disrupt and dismantle violent criminal terrorist organizations and bring offenders to justice.”
Court documents indicated that the defendants were part of the MS-13 sub-unit known as the Hollywood Locos Salvatrucha Clique operating in the Western District of North Carolina and other regions. From December 2018 through November 2022, they engaged in racketeering involving murder, kidnapping, extortion, robbery, and drug trafficking. Under MS-13 leadership's sanction, these actions intended to create fear, maintain control, expand territory, enforce discipline, intimidate witnesses, and retaliate against rivals.
Participation in these activities was designed to elevate respect and standing within the gang hierarchy, contributing to leadership aspirations. During the sentencing, it was asserted that Santa Cruz and Veliz-Ronquillo's involvement in W.G.M.'s murder showcased their commitment to MS-13's objectives and internal reputation advancement.
The sentenced individuals will remain in custody until transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson praised the FBI, HSI, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for leading the investigation, extending thanks to various sheriff and police departments for their support. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erik Lindahl and David Kelly are prosecuting the case as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening the U.S.
For more information on the OCDETF program, visit https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.