MS-13 Member from Silver Spring Gets Two Life Sentences

A federal judge sentenced a 28-year-old Silver Spring man to two consecutive life sentences Monday for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise in connection with his gang activity as a member of MS-13, according to a statement from the Justice Department.

Raul Ernesto Landaverde-Giron, also known as “Humilde” and “Decente,” 28, of Silver Spring, was convicted in March after a three-week trial. He was convicted for murder in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence; and murder resulting from the use, carrying, and discharging of a firearm during a crime of violence, the Justice Department said.

Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Landaverde-Giron in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt.

MS-13 is a one of the largest street gangs in the United States, comprising primarily immigrants or descendants from El Salvador.

Evidence presented at trial showed that branches or “cliques” of MS-13 operate throughout Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. Landaverde-Giron was a member of the MS-13 Normandie Locos Salvatrucha Clique, the Justice Department said.

From at least 2012 through at least 2016, MS-13 members planned and committed murders and attempted murders in Prince George’s and Frederick counties. Gang members also extorted owners of illegal businesses, among other crimes, the Justice Department said.

Witnesses testified that MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. Serious violations of MS-13 rules, such as cooperating with law enforcement, could result in the issuance of a “greenlight,” or order to be killed.

Participation in violent acts directed at rival gangs, or as directed by gang leadership, increased the respect accorded to that member.

Trial evidence showed that on Nov. 30, 2013, Landaverde-Giron, along with two other Normandie Clique members, murdered an individual in Frederick, who had fled El Salvador to escape a greenlight imposed by MS-13 members in El Salvador, the Justice Department said.

After a co-conspirator recognized the victim in Frederick, Normandie Clique members called an MS-13 leader in prison in El Salvador to confirm that the greenlight was still in effect, the Justice Department said.

A co-conspirator then lured the victim to a wooded area in Frederick, where he shot the victim in the head and Landaverde-Giron and another co-conspirator stabbed the victim in the face and neck.  Landaverde-Giron was promoted within the Normandie Clique for his participation in this murder, the Justice Department said.

Landaverde-Giron pleaded guilty today to illegally reentering the United States after having been deported, and was sentenced to six months in prison.  Landaverde-Giron has been detained since his arrest.

Silver Spring Man Convicted for Role in Gang Murder, Prosecutors Say

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