Maryland Community Newspapers Online
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Maryland Community Newspapers Online
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Gang leader gets life sentenceA 30-year-old Wheaton man, who allegedly ran a branch of the notorious MS-13 street gang in Prince George’s County, was given a life sentence June 9 on racketeering, murder, witness tampering and numerous other charges, federal officials announced. Israel Ramos Cruz allegedly ran the Sailor Locos Salvatruchos Westside (SLSW) clique of the Salvadoran gang in the county from 2002 to at least 2007. For years, federal and local police have been investigating the gang, which has been linked to several murders, witness intimidation attempts and other organized gang activities. Cruz was sentenced after a six-week trial at U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, where prosecutors claimed Cruz ordered or participated directly in three murders. Cruz’s defense attorney could not be reached for comment. Cruz is the 18th MS-13 member to be convicted in the racketeering investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged more than 49 gang members to date in the investigation. In a statement, United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said: ‘‘Joining MS-13 is a ticket to federal prison. Forty-nine alleged MS-13 gang members have been charged with federal crimes in Maryland. This young man will spend the rest of his life in federal prison, and some of the remaining defendants may face death sentences.”
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