BALTIMORE, MD — Jose Lainez Martinez, a 29-year-old El Salvadoran national residing in Silver Spring, Maryland, has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy tied to the MS-13 gang, including participation in a murder. The sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar also includes five years of supervised release following his prison term.
This sentencing comes after Lainez Martinez pleaded guilty to his role within the MS-13 gang, engaging in violent activities such as murder, conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, and drug distribution. MS-13, known for its violent actions and strict rules requiring members to attack rivals, operates in various Maryland counties and across the United States.
Lainez Martinez’s criminal activities included selling marijuana, collecting extortion money, and participating in the planning and execution of a murder in Silver Spring, Maryland, in May 2020. The victim, believed to be associated with a rival gang and accused of assaulting an MS-13 member, was shot eight times and killed.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to combat gang violence and dismantle criminal organizations like MS-13. Oscar Efrain Zavala Urrea, another gang member involved in the conspiracy, was previously sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.