MS-13 Involvement Suspected In Recent Leesburg Shootings, Threats, Extortion: Police

LEESBURG, VA — Three teens from Leesburg have been charged in connection with a string of recent crimes including shootings, threats, and an extortion attempt. Investigators from the Leesburg Police Department suspect that two of the teens are involved with the MS-13 street gang.

The recent crimes included threats with a firearm in May, an extortion attempt in June, and a pair of recent shootings.

Authorities have identified the suspects involved as Emerson Martinez-Alvarenga, Marco Mendoza-Monjaras, and Juan Cubillas-Rodriguez. Investigators believe that Martinez-Alvarenga and Mendoza-Monjaras are involved with MS-13.

Martinez-Alvarenga is charged with gang participation, attempted extortion, brandishing a firearm, possession of a firearm by an undocumented person, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and destruction of property.

Mendoza-Monjaras is charged with brandishing a machete, attempted extortion, and gang participation. Cubillas-Rodriguez was charged with one count of attempted extortion.

Mendoza-Monjaras and Martinez-Alvarenga are being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. Cubillas-Rodriguez was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond.

Authorities believe Martinez-Alvarenga showed a firearm and threatened multiple people in the 0-99 block of Hancock Place.

A few weeks later on June 9, the three suspects worked together in an attempt to extort money from a victim in the 900 block of Edwards Ferry Road NE, according to the police report.

On June 18, a man was shot in the upper body in the 0-99 block of Hancock Place, the police department said. A different suspect, Marcos Sorto-Argueta, had already been charged in the shooting. Martinez-Alvarenga also faces brandishing and firearm possession charges for his role.

Investigators believe Martinez-Alvarenga fired gunshots in an apartment complex parking lot on June 29. He was eventually arrested on July 20. Police officers said they recovered a handgun during the arrest.

"The Leesburg Police Department takes crimes of violence, especially those involving criminal gangs extremely seriously," Leesburg Deputy Chief of Police Vanessa Grigsby said in a news release. “I would like to thank our detectives for their continued hard work and dedication in keeping the Town of Leesburg a safe community."