In federal court in Boston on Jan. 11, an alleged MS-13 member entered a guilty plea to an immigration-related charge.
Elenilson Gonzalez-Gonzalez, also known as “Siniestro,” 31, a national of El Salvador, admitted guilt to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV set sentencing for April 5, 2018.
As part of an extensive investigation, Gonzalez-Gonzalez was among 61 defendants included in a superseding indictment that targeted the operations of alleged leaders, members, and associates of the transnational criminal organization known as La Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13.
This marks the 27th guilty plea in the case for Gonzalez-Gonzalez.
During the investigation, law enforcement made contact with Gonzalez-Gonzalez in December 2015 near Deer Island National Park in Winthrop. Subsequent investigation showed that Gonzalez-Gonzalez had been detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in May 2012 while illegally crossing into the United States near Mission, Texas.
At that point, Gonzalez-Gonzalez acknowledged being a Salvadoran national who had unlawfully entered the country with plans to reach the Boston area. He was removed from the United States in 2012 through expedited removal procedures. Gonzalez-Gonzalez subsequently crossed back into the United States and faced charges related to illegal reentry following deportation.
Under the applicable statute, the maximum penalty is two years imprisonment, one year of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Following completion of his federal sentence, Gonzalez-Gonzalez will face deportation. A federal district court judge determines the actual sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory considerations.