Silver Spring Man Arrested In Gang-Related Murder Of Jenni Lopez

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Two more suspects face charges in the gang-related killing of an Annapolis woman who went missing on June 24, according to the Anne Arundel County Police Department, bringing the number of people charged with either murder or attempted murder to eight in the death of Jenni B. Rivera Lopez.

Investigators say the murder of Lopez was a targeted gang incident and not a random act of violence; she was reported missing three days after she was seen getting in a car with acquaintances. Suspects from Annapolis, Edgewater and Silver Spring were previously charged in the case.

Homicide detectives on Dec. 14 obtained first-degree murder charges on Jorge Raul Guerra-Castillo, 36, from Pensacola, Florida. He is currently incarcerated at the D. Ray James Prison located in Folkston, Georgia. Detectives say Guerra-Castillo is the person who authorized or sanctioned the other suspects to abduct and kill Lopez. Guerra-Castillo is awaiting extradition back to Anne Arundel County.

Police also charged Denis A. Rivas Aldana, 22, of Silver Spring, last week with attempted murder for his alleged role in the planning and murder of Lopez. Aldana is currently incarcerated in the Montgomery County Correctional Prison in Clarksburg awaiting extradition to Anne Arundel County. He faces additional murder charges in both Montgomery and Frederick Counties.

Milton Alejandro Portillo Rodriguez, 22, from Edgewater, was arrested Nov. 4 by the U.S. Marshals Service in Avery County, North Carolina, on first-degree murder and related charges.

And in October 2021, Brenda Argueta, 18, of Silver Spring, Ervin Arrue Figuero, 18, of Annapolis, Darvin Guerra-Zacarias, 25, of Silver Spring, Ronald Mendez-Sosa, 19, of Edgewater and Francisco Ramirez-Pena, 22, of Annapolis, were all charged in the murder of Lopez.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Lopez, 21, was found buried in a secret grave in Crownsville in August. Lopez was found buried in the area of Camp Barrett, a youth camp near Annapolis, according to the Sun.

Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy Altomare made it clear in a press conference on Oct. 6 that they are working to mitigate gang-related activity.

"Every level of government is working around the clock nonstop to lessen the dangers to the citizens of Anne Arundel County," he said.

He also urged any resident who feels in danger from a gang to contact the police department. "I'm begging you to come talk to us," he said. "Your lives matter to us. It's our job to keep you safe."

Argueta, Guerra-Zacarias, Mendez-Sosa and Ramirez-Pena were all charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. Figuero was charged with first- and second degree murder.

"We won't desert you and we'll be there for you. That's my word as your chief of police," Altomare said, reading out the following phone numbers for people who feel in danger of gang violence. He urged them to call 410-222-4731 if they know of any rumors or the gang tip line at 410-222-4700. Tips can also be called in to Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

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