Santa Cruz Based MS 13 Gang Members Sentenced To Over Twenty Years In Prison For Racketeering Conspiracy, Conspiracy To Commit Murder

SAN JOSE - Erick Escalante-Torres and Jose Noe Ramirez-Avelar, members of the La Mara Salvatrucha gang (better known as MS-13) based in Santa Cruz, were sentenced today to 27 years and 11 months in prison and 22 years in prison, respectively, for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and other crimes. The sentences were handed down by the Honorable Edward J. Davila, U.S. District Judge, following the defendants' convictions by guilty plea.

Escalante-Torres, 29, also known as "Deceptico" or "Problematico," and Ramirez-Avelar, 34, also known as "Chepito" or "Sparky," were both actively involved in the MS-13 enterprise in Northern California from approximately 2015 to 2017. According to their plea agreements, MS-13 members and associates earn promotions and prestige by committing criminal activities benefitting the gang, including by engaging in violent crimes such as murder and attempted murder of rival gang members.

In the summer of 2016, Escalante-Torres, Ramirez-Avelar, and others began planning to murder a man they believed to be associated with the rival 18th Street gang. Once the gang received approval for the killing from higher-up gang leaders in El Salvador, the group began surveilling the victim's movements and plotting different ways to kill him. According to court documents, they decided to kill the victim late at night when he would routinely walk to a nearby taqueria to escort home his fiancée who worked the late shift. On Sept. 22, 2016, they executed their plan, fatally shooting the victim on his way to pick up his fiancée. The victim was not actually affiliated with the rival gang.

Both defendants were also involved in other gang shootings. In May and June 2016, Escalante-Torres and Ramirez-Avelar helped destroy the evidence from a murder committed by another Northern California MS-13 clique. In July 2016, Escalante-Torres and others drove into rival gang territory and, after spotting suspected rival gang members, Escalante-Torres fired two shots, hitting one victim in the leg.

"Defendants engaged in murder and other violent crimes to carry out the goals of MS-13, a transnational criminal organization. Their ruthless actions threatened public safety in Santa Cruz," said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. "With these sentences, we are sending a strong message to gang members that these crimes will be fully investigated and prosecuted, and justice will be served."

"This case illustrates the direct threat transnational gang activity is to our communities and the indiscriminate and needless devastation it brings to innocent families," said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco Special Agent Charge Tatum King. "HSI San Francisco will aggressively pursue individuals engaged in this criminal activity and ensure they face the consequences for their actions. HSI San Francisco appreciates the dedicated work of its special agents together with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Santa Cruz Police Department in bringing these individuals to justice."

Both defendants pleaded guilty on Aug. 19, 2024, to one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death. Escalante-Torres also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Judge Davila also sentenced each defendant to a five-year term of supervised release in addition to the terms of imprisonment. Escalante-Torres has been in federal custody since 2018, and Ramirez-Avelar has been in federal custody since 2017. Both defendants began serving their sentences today. In addition to Escalante-Torres and Ramirez-Avelar, 10 other members of the Santa Cruz clique have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in criminal activity as members of the gang.

Assistant United States Attorneys George Hageman and Aseem Padukone are prosecuting this case with the assistance of Mimi Lam. The prosecution is the result of a years-long investigation by HSI and the Santa Cruz Police Department.