Santa Cruz-Area MS-13 Members Sentenced For Murder Conspiracy, Racketeering

CBS Bay Area

December 10, 2024

Two Santa Cruz men who are reputed members of the of the infamous La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as MS-13, have been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison after being convicted of racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder, among other crimes.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California announced Monday that 29-year-old Erick Escalante-Torres was sentenced to 27 years and 11 months in prison and 34-year-old Jose Noe Ramirez-Avelar received a 22-year sentence.

Escalante-Torres, also known as "Deceptico" or "Problematico", and Ramirez-Avelar, also known as "Chepito" or "Sparky", pled guilty in August to racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death. Prosecutors said Escalante-Torres also pled guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

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