In federal court in Boston on Jan. 12, an MS-13 member entered a guilty plea to racketeering conspiracy in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old boy in Lawrence.
Josue Alexis DePaz, a/k/a “Gato,” 21, a Salvadoran national formerly residing in Lawrence, admitted to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, commonly known as RICO conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV set sentencing for April 6, 2018.
The defendant was identified as a member of MS-13’s Everett Loco Salvatrucha (ELS) clique, which was active in the greater Boston area. During interviews with law enforcement, DePaz confessed that he was one of two men who stabbed a 15-year-old boy to death on July 5, 2015, in O’Connell Park in Lawrence. Law enforcement recordings captured MS-13 members identifying DePaz as one of the perpetrators. He was later apprehended in a Somerville house where several other MS-13 members were present. The search of that residence yielded a firearm, multiple large knives, photographs showing MS-13 members displaying gang signs, and substantial MS-13 paraphernalia consisting of blue and white hats, bandanas and rosary beads. Court documents indicate that MS-13 members commonly display blue and white clothing items to demonstrate their gang affiliation.
Following an investigation spanning three years, DePaz was among 61 individuals included in a superseding indictment that targeted MS-13’s alleged leaders, members, and associates operating in Massachusetts. He represents the 28th defendant to enter a guilty plea in this prosecution.
DePaz could receive a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and faces potential deportation following completion of his sentence.