Justice Department Charges Two Defendants with Carjacking and Carrying a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence in Connection with the Death of Two Transgender Individuals

The Justice Department announced today that Juan Carlos Pagán Bonilla (Pagan), 21, and Sean Díaz de León (Diaz), 19, have been charged by a criminal complaint in federal district court with carjacking and with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in connection with the death of two transgender individuals. Pagan and Diaz are now in federal custody.

Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband, U.S. Attorney Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Rafael Riviere announced the charges.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5342).

The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Each of the charges is punishable by death or by imprisonment for any number of years up to life.

This case is being investigated by the Police of Puerto Rico and the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office sought immediate detention in this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Contreras of the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Litigation Counsel Rose Gibson and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.