5 Charged In 'Gang Related' Homicide, Police Say

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Five people are facing murder charges after the death of an Annapolis woman who went missing on June 24, according to the Anne Arundel County Police Department, in what they are calling a gang-related homicide.

Brenda Argueta, 18, of Silver Spring, Ervin Arrue Figuero of Annapolis, Darvin Guerra-Zacarias, 25, of Silver Spring, Ronald Mendez-Sosa, 19, of Edgewater and Francisco Ramirez-Pena, 22, of an unknown town are all facing charges related to the murder of Jenni B. Rivera Lopez, who went missing on June 24.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Lopez was found buried in a secret grave in Crownsville in August. Lopez was found buried in the area of Camp Barrett, a youth camp near Annapolis, according to the Sun.

Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy Altomare made it clear in a press conference on Friday, Oct. 6 that they are working to mitigate gang-related activity.

"Every level of government is working around the clock nonstop to lessen the dangers to the citizens of Anne Arundel County," he said.

He also urged any citizen who feels in danger from a gang to contact the police department. "I'm begging you to come talk to us," he said. "Your lives matter to us. It's our job to keep you safe."

Argueta, Guerra-Zacarias, Mendez-Sosa and Ramirez-Pena were all charged with first degree murder, second degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder and conspiracy to commit second degree murder. Figuero was charged with first and second degree murder.

"We won't desert you and we'll be there for you. That's my word as your chief of police," Altomare said, reading out the following phone numbers for people who feel in danger of gang violence. He urged them to call 410-222-4117 if they know of any rumors or the gang tip line at 410-222-4700.

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