MS-13 Gang Members Get Jail Time In Marietta Shootings

MARIETTA, GA -- Six Marietta members of the MS-13 gang have pleaded guilty to a group assault in which three people were shot, while one suspect is still at large. The shooting happened on June 23, 2017, when several people got into an argument at the Marietta Event Hall on Franklin Gateway. Two groups of people then relocated to a shopping center at 2112 South Cobb Drive, in Smyrna, where several people began shouting they were members of MS-13 and one then pulled out a MAC-10 semiautomatic pistol and began shooting.

Three people were injured, but all survived. Police confirmed the defendants’ association with MS-13. None of the victims were gang members.

Police charged seven people with Violations of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, aggravated assault, and attempted affray. Some of the defendants were also variously charged with firearms possession, threatening witnesses, and trafficking methamphetamine.

Since January, six of the seven defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to prison. One defendant, age 20 of Smyrna, was sentenced under the First Offender Act. The others are:

• Julio Cesar Castro, 21, of Marietta, pleaded guilty to gang crimes, aggravated assault and threatening a witness. Castro was a leader of the gang and threatened fellow members and witnesses he would kill them with a machete if anyone talked to authorities. Castro was sentenced to 20 years with 15 years to serve in custody.
• Walter Alexander Flores, 19, of Marietta, pleaded guilty to one count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and was sentenced to 20 years with 10 years to serve in prison, and was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. Flores also pleaded guilty to committing a gang-related drive-by shooting of another teenager on May 8, 2017, at the Reserve at Windy Hill apartment complex. His sentences in the two cases will run concurrently.
• Cesar Lopez, 19, of Marietta, pleaded guilty to one count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and was sentenced to seven years, with one year to serve in prison, and was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.
• Gustavo Adolfo Lopez Mendez, 22, of Marietta, pleaded guilty to gang crimes, aggravated assault, attempted affray, possessing a firearm during commission of a felony, and trafficking methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 25 years, with 20 years to serve.
• Josue Hernandez-Perez, 18, of Marietta, pleaded guilty to one count of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and was sentenced to 15 years, with two years to serve in custody, and was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.

Alex Bautista, 19, and who last lived in the area of Smyrna Powder Springs Road in Smyrna, remains charged in this case but is a fugitive.