MS-13 Killing Leads To Guilty Plea By Former Alexandria Resident

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The kidnapping and killing of a teen has led to a guilty plea from an MS-13 gang member who previously lived in Alexandria.

Edwin Orellana Caballero, who was 16 and living in Alexandria at the time of the 2016 killing, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday. The guilty plea was for a charge of maiming in aid of racketeering activity. He was prosecuted as an adult under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.

According to prosecutors, Orellana Caballero was one of the members of the Park View Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13 who lured the 14-year-old victim to Holmes Run Stream Valley Park in Fairfax County. In a wooded area, the victim was killed with knives, machetes, and a pickaxe. Prosecutors say Orellana Caballero struck the victim multiple times with the pickaxe.

When the victim was dead, they buried him in a shallow grave.

There have been 17 defendants charged in the MS-13 case. Five of those were convicted of all charged in trial, and 10 pleaded guilty before trial.

Orellana Caballero faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and up to 25 years. He will be sentenced on Feb. 28, 2024.