Elmer Lopez-Cortez, aged 26, from Silver Spring, and Junior Del-Cid, aged 21, from Takoma Park, have been handed down life imprisonment sentences without the possibility of parole. Additionally, they have both been given three consecutive life sentences and a total of 105 years in prison. These severe punishments were imposed on them for their involvement in the MS-13 gang-related killing of 19-year-old Willians Anderson Alberto Cruz and the attempted murder of three others in Montgomery County in 2022.
The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office has announced that Elmer Lopez-Cortez, 26, from Silver Spring, and Junior Del-Cid, 21, from Takoma Park, have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Honorable Terrence McGann presided over two separate hearings and handed down the sentences. In addition to the life sentences, each defendant received three consecutive life sentences and an additional 105 years in prison.
On November 9, 2022, an incident occurred involving individuals who were previously unfamiliar with each other. The Montgomery County Police have confirmed that the four defendants are affiliated with the notorious La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang. During the trial, it was revealed that the motive behind the shooting was a response to gang graffiti being defaced in the nearby forested area. Del-Cid and Lopez-Cortez, convinced that the victims were responsible for the vandalism, proceeded to open fire on them. Guzman-Machado and Leon-Chacon served as the getaway drivers. At the time of the shooting, the victims were gathered around a vehicle, enjoying some music when they were unexpectedly attacked. They desperately tried to escape, but unfortunately, Alberto Cruz, one of the victims, tragically lost his life at the scene. The other two victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds and had to be treated at the hospital for their injuries. Remarkably, the fourth victim managed to escape unharmed.
Lopez-Cortez, Del-Cid, and a third co-defendant faced a jury trial on August 30, 2024. The jury found them guilty of multiple charges, including First-Degree Murder, three counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder, four counts of Use of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, and Participation in a Criminal Organization Resulting in Death. The charges were related to the shooting incident that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Willians Anderson Alberto Cruz and the injuries of two other victims. Notably, this was the first time in Montgomery County, MD, that a defendant was convicted of Participation in a Criminal Organization Resulting in Death.
Elvin Guzman-Machato, 20, who was a co-defendant, has been found guilty along with Lopez-Cortez and Del-Cid. His sentencing is scheduled for February 21, 2025. The fourth co-defendant, Jonathan Leon-Chacon, 26, from Silver Spring, is still awaiting trial.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Teresa Casafranca and Kimberly Cissel.
