On July 17, a violent MS-13 clique leader received a life sentence in federal prison for his role in two homicides, including one that occurred in Chelsea.
Noe Salvador Perez Vasquez, a/k/a “Crazy,” 27, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to life in prison and five years of supervised release. In April 2018, Perez 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 two murders. Perez also was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana. Two other men faced similar charges: co-defendants Luis Solis Vasquez, a/k/a “Brujo,” 27, a Salvadoran national, and Hector Enamorado, a/k/a “Vida Loca,” 39, a Honduran national, were also convicted of RICO conspiracy and of committing or knowingly participating in murder. Solis is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 11, 2018, and Enamorado is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2, 2018.
The evidence presented at trial established that Perez held leadership standing within the Everett Locos Salvatrucha (ELS) clique, recognized as one of Massachusetts’ largest, most active, and most violent MS-13 organizations. His leadership style was notably severe—he demanded that clique members pursue rival gang members and imposed harsh punishments on younger members.
A 29-year-old male was murdered on Dec. 14, 2014, at a Chelsea apartment through the combined efforts of Perez, Solis, and Enamorado. Trial testimony and evidence revealed that Solis held full membership, or homeboy status, with the Eastside Locos Salvatrucha (ESLS) clique, while Enamorado was a homeboy with the Chelsea Locos Salvatrucha (CHS) clique. Following a gang-related altercation the previous evening involving Enamorado and the victim, Enamorado contacted Perez requesting a firearm when their paths crossed again. Perez supplied a .380 caliber pistol to Enamorado in Chelsea. Solis obtained a gun and accompanied Enamorado into the apartment to serve as backup during the assault. The victim was shot fatally three times by Enamorado using Perez’s weapon. A second person present in the apartment was also shot and injured. Perez subsequently facilitated Enamorado’s attempted escape to New Jersey, though federal agents stopped the vehicle and apprehended him before he could leave Massachusetts.
In a separate incident on July 5, 2015, two ELS clique members fatally stabbed a 16-year-old, mid-level clique member in a Lawrence park. The targeted teenager was marked for death because Perez and others in MS-13 mistakenly believed he was cooperating with authorities. Perez orchestrated and actively encouraged this murder. Upon completing the stabbing, Perez rewarded the two killers with promotion to homeboy status.
This case resulted in 49 total convictions. All nine defendants who proceeded to trial were found guilty, while 40 additional defendants entered guilty pleas. Among all defendants, 16 individuals, including Perez, were determined to have either committed or knowingly participated in murders.