MS-13 Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for RICO Conspiracy Involving Murder

BOSTON – A member of MS-13 was sentenced today to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy and murder.

Hector Enamorado, a/k/a “Vida Loca,” 39, a Honduran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to life in prison.  In April 2018, Enamorado was convicted by a federal jury 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.

Co-defendants Noe Salvador Perez Vasquez, a/k/a “Crazy,” 27, a Salvadoran national, and Luis Solis Vasquez, a/k/a “Brujo,” 27, a Salvadoran national, were also convicted of RICO conspiracy and of committing or knowingly participating in murder. Perez was sentenced in July 2018 to life in prison and Solis is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17, 2018.

At trial, Enamorado was identified as a homeboy with the Chelsea Locos Salvatrucha (CLS) 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, Enamorado, Perez Vasquez and Solis Vasquez, murdered a 29-year-old male victim at an apartment in Chelsea. 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 Vasquez to ask him for a gun. Perez Vasquez delivered the murder weapon, a .380 caliber pistol, to Enamorado in Chelsea. Solis Vasquez armed himself with a gun and went with Enamorado into the apartment to provide backup and support for the attack. Enamorado used Perez Vasquez’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.

Enamorado was one of 49 defendants convicted as part of this case. All nine defendants who went to trial were convicted and 40 others pleaded guilty. In all, 16 defendants, including Enamorado, were found to have committed or knowingly participated in murders.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, 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 John P. Pappas; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today. The U.S. Marshals Service has provided crucial assistance with the case.