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Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi introduced federal homicide fees towards three alleged MS-13 gang members or associates in connection to the brutal homicide of a person in Florida.
The three are accused of stabbing and taking pictures Gerson Vilelio Vasquez-Portillo, 22, in western Palm Seaside County in 2015. He was believed to be an affiliate of a rival gang member.
The arrests are a part of cold-case investigations into a complete of 4 murders which happened in 2014 and 2015 in and round Broward County in South Florida, officers mentioned. One of many victims was stabbed 100 instances earlier than being shot within the head.
“These gangs are organized. They’re terrorists. And have a look at these guys, they thought they received away with it for nearly a decade however they didn’t,” Bondi mentioned. “They’re residing amongst us as a result of they suppose they will get away with this, and so they can’t.”
Bondi mentioned that one of many three suspects just lately arrested, Hugo Adiel Bermudez-Martinez, was picked up in Minnesota. Jose Ezequiel Gamez-Maravilla and Wilber Rosendo Navarro-Escobar have been arrested in Florida.
“We will likely be reviewing them to see if we’ll search the dying penalty,” Bondi mentioned. “Extra arrests are coming. In case you are a gang member residing on this nation, I’d self-deport proper now as a result of we’re coming after you.”
The arrests have been a part of a multi-agency operation named Operation Sombra De La Bestia, or Operation Shadow of the Beast. Bondi was additionally joined by the U.S. Lawyer for the Southern District of Florida and the Broward Sheriff’s Workplace to make the announcement.
5 different MS-13 gang members have been concerned within the slaying of Vasquez-Portillo.
The opposite victims have been killed within the Oakland Park space and included Joel Antonio Canizales-Lara, 18, who was lured to a vacant area in November 2014 and stabbed to dying after he had falsely claimed to have been a gang member, authorities mentioned. Bondi mentioned he was stabbed round 100 instances.
He was then buried in a makeshift grave along with his physique beng present in 2021 after an excavation search.
Omar DeJesus Gutierrez, 18, was shot after he allegedly flashed rival gang indicators. He was not a documented gang member, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.
Chrislet Ondina, 25, was stabbed to dying in October 2015 as a part of a gang initiation for one suspect, per the paperwork.
Authorities mentioned Friday that killing somebody is usually a part of the initiation course of into the gang.
Tirado-Silva and Cruz-Ortiz have been concerned in three of the murders whereas Tovar was concerned in two, authorities mentioned.
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony mentioned that justice doesn’t have an expiration date.
“It doesn’t matter if you dedicated the crime. It doesn’t matter what a part of this world you’re from. If you happen to come right here on this neighborhood and resolve that you just’re going to take a life, we’re going to unleash each single assets to deliver you to justice,” Tony mentioned.
The MS-13 gang was based in Los Angeles within the Nineteen Eighties by Salvadoran immigrants fleeing a civil warfare. They’ve since expanded throughout the U.S. and are identified for excessive violence, together with murders, extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking.
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