Two members of the brutal MS-13 gang have pleaded guilty to the mistaken-identity murder of a 17-year-old Queens boy, who the pair admitted killing to gain entry to the group.
Juan Amaya-Ramirez, 26, and Oscar Flores-Mejia, 24, both of Queens, copped to the 2018 slaying of teen Andy Peralta at Kissena Park in Flushing, mistakenly believing he was a member of a rival gang.
The two also admitted to a litany of other offenses including cyberstalking resulting in death, murder conspiracy in-aid-of racketeering, assault conspiracy in-aid-of racketeering and assault in-aid-of racketeering, Homeland Security Investigations New York announced in a statement.
“MS-13’s ruthless violence is boundless. The defendants’ admissions to murder serve as a reminder of how the violent nature of street gangs results in countless, senseless deaths,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren B. McCormack.
“HSI New York and the entire law enforcement community remain committed to disrupting and dismantling MS-13 and other violent gangs in furtherance of public safety in our communities.”
Flores-Mejia and Amaya-Ramirez recruited the latter’s then-girlfriend, Leyla Carranza, to lure Peralta to the park through social media so the men could kill him, HSI said.
The two defendants and a third unidentified suspect then fatally beat, stabbed and strangled the teenager in a cowardly ambush. Afterward, Amaya-Ramirez took a selfie with his fellow thugs flashing MS-13 gang signs over Peralta’s bloodied and lifeless body.
“The senseless murder of Andy Peralta exemplifies the casual cruelty of MS-13’s violence, and with their
pleas today the defendants acknowledge their role in this brutal event,” said Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in the statement.
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“This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to bring justice and safety to affected victims and communities by holding MS-13 members and associates accountable for their terrible crimes.”
Carranza previously pleaded guilty to cyberstalking resulting in Peralta’s death and is facing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Under the terms of their plea deal, Flores-Mejia and Amaya-Ramirez will be sentenced to a minimum of 30 years behind bars and could face up to life.
