Three MS-13 Members Convicted of RICO Conspiracy and Murder by Federal Jury in Boston

BOSTON – A federal jury in Boston convicted three members of MS-13 of racketeering conspiracy and murder today.  They are the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd defendants, respectively, to be convicted in this case. 

Noe Salvador Perez Vasquez, a/k/a “Crazy,” 27, a Salvadoran national; Luis Solis Vasquez, a/k/a “Brujo,” 27, a Salvadoran national; and Hector Enamorado, a/k/a “Vida Loca,” 39, a Honduran national; were found guilty of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and of committing or knowingly participating in murder as part of the racketeering conspiracy. Perez also was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled Perez’s sentencing for July 17, 2018; Enamorado’s sentencing for July 23, 2018; and Solis’s sentencing for July 25, 2018.

According to testimony and exhibits introduced at trial, MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization whose branches, or “cliques,” operate throughout the United States, including in Massachusetts. At trial, Perez was identified as a leader of the Everett Locos Salvatrucha (ELS) clique; Solis was identified as a full member, or homeboy, with the Eastside Locos Salvatrucha (ESLS) clique; and Enamorado was identified as a homeboy with the Chelsea Locos Salvatrucha (CHS) clique. In furtherance of its mission, MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, specifically against rival gang members; kill informants; and support and defend fellow MS-13 members in attacks. MS-13 rewards members who commit acts of violence with promotions within the gang and punishes members who break gang rules.

On Dec. 14, 2014, Perez, Solis, and Enamorado worked together to murder a 29-year-old male victim at an apartment in Chelsea, Mass. According to testimony and exhibits introduced at trial, Enamorado and the victim had engaged in a gang-related fight the night before the murder, and when Enamorado encountered the victim again the following night, Enamorado called Perez to ask him for a gun. Perez delivered the murder weapon, a .380 caliber pistol, to Enamorado in Chelsea. Solis armed himself with a gun and went with Enamorado into the apartment to provide backup and necessary support for the attack. Enamorado used Perez’s gun to fatally shoot the victim three times. Enamorado also shot and wounded a second victim who was inside the apartment at the time of the murder.


On July 5, 2015, a 16-year-old mid-level member of the ELS clique was stabbed to death in a park in Lawrence, Mass. by two members of his clique. Perez, a leader of ELS, and other MS-13 members targeted the 16-year-old for murder because they believed, incorrectly, that he was cooperating with law enforcement. Perez planned and encouraged the murder. After the two ELS clique members stabbed the 16-year-old to death, Perez promised to promote them to homeboy status.

After a three-year investigation, Perez, Solis, and Enamorado were three of 61 persons named in a superseding indictment targeting the criminal activities of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts. They are the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd defendants, respectively, to be convicted in this case.

Because the defendants committed or knowingly participated in murder as part of the racketeering conspiracy, they each face a maximum penalty of life in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to  life in prison, a minimum of five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute marijuana provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, a minimum of two years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendants will be subject to deportation upon the completion of their sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; Somerville Police Chief David Fallon; and Wes Adams, State’s Attorney, Anne Arundel County (Maryland), Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, made the announcement today.