Twenty-First Member of MS-13 Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy, Murder Conspiracy and Murder

Greenbelt, Maryland - A federal jury convicted Israel Ernesto Palacios, also known as Homie, age 31, of Silver Spring, Maryland, of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and murder resulting from use of a gun during a crime of violence. According to testimony presented at the four week trial, Palacios was a member of the Langley Park Salvatruchos (LPS) clique of MS- 13. At some time prior to October 25, 2004, Palacios met with another MS-13 member to discuss and investigate rumors that Nancy Diaz was associating with a rival gang. Witnesses testified that shortly thereafter, Palacios, James Guillen and other MS-13 members attended a meeting of the LPS clique in Prince Georges County, Maryland in which clique leaders discussed plans to kill Nancy Diaz. On October 25, 2004, Guillen drove two other MS-13 members, Ms. Diaz and another juvenile female in his car, and dropped them off at the George Washington Cemetery in Adelphi, Maryland. According to testimony, two MS-13 members shot and killed Nancy Diaz, shot the other girl in the face and stabbed her twice in the chest to attempt to make sure she was dead, and then left the scene. On August 25, 2005, Palacios and Guillen were arrested in connection with the racketeering, murder and firearms charges. Palacios faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for November 10, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Palacios remains in federal custody. James Guillen, also known as Toro, age 22, of Hyattsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty after a jury was selected for his federal trial, to conspiracy to participate in racketeering enterprise activities and was sentenced on January 11, 2008 to 262 months in prison. To date, 50 gang members have been charged with various federal offenses, with 30 defendants charged in this RICO conspiracy case. Twenty-one MS-13 gang members have been convicted thus far in this RICO conspiracy case.