MS-13 Leader Receives Life Sentence for Six Murders

Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, a 27-year-old MS-13 gang leader, was sentenced to multiple life sentences for his involvement in a series of heinous murders in Virginia, including the brutal killing of a 19-year-old woman who had criticized the gang online. He was convicted on charges related to racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder, with prosecutors highlighting the senseless violence that characterized his gang's activities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Braun described the gang's methods as ruthless, noting that victims were often attacked for trivial reasons, and some were dismembered. In a separate case, another MS-13 member, Elmer Lopez-Cortez, received a life sentence for a 2022 shooting that left one victim dead and three others injured, motivated by gang retribution for defaced graffiti. Both cases illustrate the ongoing violence associated with MS-13 in the United States, as multiple gang members have faced severe penalties for their roles in these crimes. The U.S. Attorney's Office has reaffirmed its commitment to combating gang violence and holding offenders accountable.