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Dec. 13, 2018 By Meghan Sackman
Three Flushing residents were among a dozen MS-13 gang members indicted yesterday on an array of charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, as well as drug and weapons possession.
The defendants planned to kill several members of the Latin Kings, a rival gang, as well as a member of their own gang who announced he wanted to leave, according to authorities.
They also plotted to burglarize a Kew Gardens Hills house that they believed had $80,000 in cash stashed away.
The three Flushing residents named in the indictment are Ramiro “Caramalo” Gutierrez, 26, Elmer Saravia, 20, and Ilians Novales, 29. All face charges ranging from conspiracy, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
“This was a long-term investigation that not only thwarted a plot to kill an individual – a man trying to remove himself from this vicious street gang – but also resulted in taking would-be killers off our neighborhood streets,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown.
The gang started to plot killing Latin King members shortly after two MS-13 members were fired on and wounded by a member of the Latin Kings in June. Despite the authorities arresting the shooter, the gang still sought retribution.
The police heard Jorge “Terrible” Andrade, a Jamaica resident and a MS-13 leader, on wiretaps planning a hit to retaliate.
The gang also conducted surveillance of targets, accessed firearms and discussed locations—including a diner in Jamaica–of a hit in August, according to the District Attorney’s office.
On Aug. 31, a Latin King member was stabbed. Two members of the MS-13 were later charged with attempted murder.
The indictment also include charges that stem from the gang’s plot to kill a member who wanted to disassociate himself from MS-13. Through wiretaps, police overhead members discussing where to find weapons and a time and location for a hit, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Police intercepted before the attack, possible preventing a murder.
Furthermore, police heard members via wiretaps plotting to burglarize a Kew Gardens Hills home. Police thwarted the home invasion ahead of time.
Two members were also arrested on assault charges for beating two individuals with a metal pipe on Sept. 1.
The police conducted a number of court authorized searches as part of the investigation, where they recovered guns, cocaine, bags of marijuana, grinders containing marijuana and various drug paraphernalia.
“These alleged members of MS-13 exhibited their propensity towards violence and murder when they plotted to murder rival gang members in a place where the public congregates, with no regard to innocent lives,” said Angel Melendez, the agent in charge for Homeland Security. “MS-13’s intimidation and violence will not be tolerated.”
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