MS-13 Member From Silver Spring Gets 2 Life Sentences For Murder

SILVER SPRING, MD — An MS-13 gang member from Silver Spring was given two consecutive life sentences by a federal judge for murdering someone in the aid of racketeering, according to a statement from the Justice Department.

Raul Ernesto Landaverde-Giron, also known as "Humilde" and "Decente," 28, was convicted in March for murder in aid of racketeering; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering; using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence; and murder resulting from the use, carrying, and discharging of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Prosecutors said Landaverde-Giron, along with two other MS-13 members, murdered a person in Frederick, Md. on Nov. 30, 2013. The victim fled El Salvador "to escape a greenlight imposed by MS-13 members in El Salvador," prosecutors said.

A greenlight means an order to be killed, prosecutors said. People are issued a greenlight when they violate MS-13 rules, such as cooperating with law enforcement.

Prosecutors said a co-conspirator recognized the victim in Frederick and called an MS-13 leader in prison in El Salvador to confirm that the greenlight was still in effect.

"A co-conspirator then lured the victim to a wooded area in Frederick, where he shot the victim in the head and Landaverde-Giron and another co-conspirator stabbed the victim in the face and neck," the Justice Department statement said.

Landaverde-Giron was promoted within his clique for his participation in this murder, prosecutors said.

He also pleaded guilty Monday to illegally reentering the U.S. after having been deported, and was sentenced to six months in prison. Landaverde-Giron has been detained since his arrest.

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