United States Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Virginia

Alexandria     Newport News     Norfolk     Richmond

United States Attorney Check Rosenberg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jim Rybicki
Public Information Officer
Phone (703) 842-4050 Fax: (703) 549-5202
Email: usavae.press@usdoj.gov

Web Address: www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae

April 25, 2008

MS-13 MEMBERS INDICTED FOR MURDER IN AID OF RACKETEERING

(Alexandria, Virginia) – Two members of MS-13, Rafael Parada-Mendoza, 21, formerly Fairfax County, Virginia, also known as “Cheve,” and Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya, 21, formerly of Fairfax County, Virginia, known as “Dandy,” were indicted today by a federal grand jury and charged with murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder and assault in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Joseph Persichini, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office; M. Douglas Scott, Chief of Police, Arlington County Police Department; David M. Rohrer, Chief of Police, Fairfax County Police Department; and Stan Barry, Sheriff, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement today.

The indictment stems from the murder of Christian Argueta in the parking lot of the Springfield Mall on December 2, 2007. The indictment charges that Rafael Parada-Mendoza and Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya are members of the Pinos Locos Salvatrucha clique of the street gang known as the Mara Salvatrucha, “MS-13,” who committed the crimes to maintain and increase their position in the gang. The murder in aid of racketeering charge carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison. The indictment also charges Rafael Parada- Mendoza and Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya with being illegal aliens in possession of a firearm and using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death.

The indictment further charges Rafael Parada-Mendoza, Gabriel Hosman Perez-Amaya, and a third member of MS-13, Jorge Parada, 28, formerly of Washington, D.C., also known as “Rama,” with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The conspiracy to distribute cocaine charge carries a minimum of five years and a maximum of forty years in federal prison.

All three individuals are currently in custody. Rafael Parada-Mendoza was arrested on March 19, 2008, in the state of Texas. Perez-Amaya was also arrested in Texas on March 14, 2008. Jorge Parada was arrested on April 19, 2008, in Arlington, Virginia.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, the Arlington County Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Fahey and Beth Gibson are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.