Defense lawyer argues at NYC trial that joining MS-13 is comparable to fraternity hazing.
The trial of four alleged members of the violent gang MS-13 began in Brooklyn Federal Court, underscoring the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to dismantle organized crime networks in the United States. The defendant Edenilson Velasquez Larin, alongside three co-defendants, faces serious charges including racketeering, murder, and conspiracy related to a series of brutal killings committed between 2016 and 2022 in Queens and Long Island.
In his defense, attorney Scott Sherman argued that Velasquez Larin and his associates sought kinship and protection rather than participation in criminal activities. He likened the gang initiation to the hazing rituals of college fraternities, asserting that these young El Salvadoran immigrants joined MS-13 for a sense of community in an unfamiliar country. Sherman emphasized that the government’s portrayal oversimplifies the nature of gangs, suggesting that in America, individuals have a constitutional right to associate freely.
Prosecutors contend that Velasquez Larin not only played a significant role within the organization, ascending to a position on “La Mesa,” the national leadership overseeing local cliques, but he also personally committed murder and authorized three others. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Karamigios outlined the gruesome nature of the alleged crimes, including machete murders and executions that showcase the gang’s brutal reputation.
The government is focusing on key incidents within the trial that exemplify MS-13’s violent operations. One notable case involves the killing of 18-year-old Kenny Reyes in 2016. Prosecutors allege that Reyes was lured to a remote area under the pretense of being subjected to a gang initiation, only to be viciously attacked with machetes and subsequently buried in a shallow grave. Additional murders attributed to the gang include those of Victor Alvarenga in 2018, Eric Monge in 2020, and Oswaldo Gutierrez Medrano in 2022, with each killing linked to internal gang disputes or perceived betrayals.
As the trial unfolds, each defendant, including Velasquez Larin and fellow co-defendant Hugo Diaz Amaya, will face scrutiny as prosecutors present evidence that may include text communications, witness testimony, and physical proof connecting them to the violent acts. Defense attorneys have countered, arguing that the evidence relies heavily on unreliable cooperating witnesses who may have ulterior motives to fabricate stories in exchange for reduced sentences.
This trial represents a pivotal moment in an extensive effort by law enforcement to address the threat posed by gangs like MS-13, which has long been associated with violence and crime across the United States. The proceedings are expected to draw considerable public and media attention as they unfold over the next two months in Brooklyn.
As the case continues, the focus remains on the interaction between gang culture and immigrant experiences, raising broader questions about community, identity, and the search for belonging in challenging environments. This trial not only seeks justice for past atrocities but also serves as a critical examination of the elements that foster such violent organizations.
