MS-13 Member Sentenced for RICO Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

BOSTON – An MS-13 member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for RICO conspiracy and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien.

Manuel Landaverde, a/k/a “Scooby,” 26, a Salvadoran national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Landaverde will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In July 2018, Landaverde pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy, and being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The investigation revealed that Landaverde was a member of MS-13 and conspired with other MS-13 members to commit acts of violence, including murder and attempted murder, in Massachusetts. Landaverde, who is unlawfully present in the United States, also possessed and sold a firearm and ammunition knowing it would be used in connection with the racketeering conspiracy.     

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney John P. Pappas; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Gross; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement today. The U.S. Marshals Service has provided crucial assistance with the case.