Two MS-13 Gang Associates Plead Guilty in Connection with Murder of 17-Year-Old

Juan Amaya-Ramirez and Oscar Flores-Mejia pleaded guilty today in connection with the April 23, 2018 murder of 17-year-old Andy Peralta in Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens.  As part of their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted to murdering Peralta to gain entrance into MS-13 and also admitted to crimes including cyberstalking resulting in death, murder conspiracy in-aid-of racketeering, assault conspiracy in-aid-of racketeering, and assault in-aid-of racketeering.  Under the terms of their plea agreements, the defendants will be sentenced to at least 30 years’ imprisonment and could be sentenced up to life imprisonment.  The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Darren B. McCormack, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty pleas.

“The senseless murder of Andy Peralta exemplifies the casual cruelty of MS-13’s violence, and with their pleas today the defendants acknowledge their role in this brutal event,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to bring justice and safety to affected victims and communities by holding MS-13 members and associates accountable for their terrible crimes.”

“MS-13’s ruthless violence is boundless. The defendants’ admissions to murder serve as a reminder of how the violent nature of street gangs results in countless, senseless deaths,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge McCormack.  “HSI New York and the entire law enforcement community remain committed to disrupting and dismantling MS-13 and other violent gangs in furtherance of public safety in our communities.” 

“NYPD investigators, in close collaboration with our law enforcement colleagues, pledge to remain tireless in pursuing justice against gang members, wherever and whenever their barbaric acts are committed,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “I applaud and commend our various federal partners for their vital efforts, which ultimately delivered today’s successful outcome.”

As detailed in court documents, Amaya-Ramirez, Flores-Mejia and a third MS-13 associate plotted to kill Peralta because they wanted to join MS-13 and mistakenly believed that Peralta was a member of a rival gang.  The defendants recruited Amaya-Ramirez’s then-girlfriend, Leyla Carranza, to lure Peralta to Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens, so he could be murdered.  Carranza communicated with Peralta on social media and eventually convinced him to meet her in Kissena Park on April 23, 2018.  Once inside the park, Peralta was confronted by Amaya-Ramirez, Flores-Mejia, and the third MS-13 associate.  The three men beat, stabbed, and strangled Peralta to death. After the murder, Amaya-Ramirez took a photograph of himself and his coconspirators flashing MS-13 hand signs over Peralta’s body.  

Carranza previously pleaded guilty to cyberstalking resulting in the death of Peralta and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment at sentencing.

This case was investigated as part of the ongoing efforts of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, gangs and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

Today’s guilty pleas are the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13.  Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York.  A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults.  Since 2009, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 65 murders in the district and has convicted dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders.  These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by our law enforcement partners.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Siegel, Michael W. Gibaldi, Anna Karamigios and Sophia Suarez are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Eleanor Jaffe-Pachuilo.

Defendants:

JUAN AMAYA-RAMIREZ (also known as “Cadaver”)
Age:  26
Fresh Meadows, Queens

OSCAR FLORES-MEJIA (also known as “Chamuco”)
Age:  24
Elmhurst, Queens

Defendant who previously pleaded guilty:

LEYLA CARRANZA
Age:  23
Richmond, Virginia

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-228 (S-2) (LDH)