HOUSTON—Cristian Alexander Zamora, 22, and Ricardo Leonel Campos-Lara, 19, have been indicted on charges of committing murder in the Sam Houston National Forest, a designated federal land, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Zamora, aka Christian Zamora, Alexander, Alex or Pollo; and Campos-Lara, aka La Muerte, are set to make their initial appearances today at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy. At that time, the U.S. expects to request they be ordered into federal custody pending further criminal proceedings.

The indictment, returned June 18, 2014, alleges they committed the murder of a 16-year-old male victim while in the Sam Houston National Forest. On Sept. 22, 2013, Zamora and Campos-Lara, both of El Salvador, allegedly aided and abetted each other in the murder by striking the victim with a bat and a machete.

If convicted of murder within the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S., both will face up to life imprisonment or the death penalty.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the FBI, Houston Police Department, Texas Rangers and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Donnelly.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.