MS-13 Gang Leader Sentenced To Prison For PG County Murder

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The leader of a Maryland gang affiliated with the international criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) was sentenced to spend nearly three decades in prison for his role in numerous crimes, including a 2020 murder in Prince George's County.

Bryan "Spooky" Alexander Torres, 29, of Adelphi, was sentenced Wednesday to 28 years in prison after being convicted of racketeering conspiracy and murder, the Department of Justice announced in a release.

According to authorities, Torres spent approximately three years as leader of Weedams Locos Salvatrucha, or WLS, an MS-13 clique operating primarily in Adelphi. A principal rule of MS-13, a gang comprised mainly of members from El Salvador or their descendants, is to attack and kill rivals. According to federal authorities, members earn promotions and improved standing within the gang for participating in attacks, often at the direction of MS-13 leadership.

On Aug. 8, 2020, Torres and other WLS members gathered at a park in Prince George's County, Maryland, where they agreed to murder a man identified only as Victim 4. According to authorities, the man — who was suspected of cooperating with police — was shot multiple times, pistol-whipped and stabbed with a knife. Torres also stabbed him with a screwdriver, authorities said.

According to prosecutors, the man's body was dragged into a stream before gang leaders ordered members to bury him. Authorities later discovered the man's body with a bullet wound to his head.

According to authorities, Torres also conspired with other MS-13 members to kidnap and kill a female member of the rival 18th Street gang; however, police arrived and interrupted members as they were planning the attack.

Torres also extorted money from at least two people on behalf of WLS. According to authorities, the victims made payments, or "rents," because WLS members threatened to kill or injure them.

Finally, authorities said Torres laundered money by transferring extorted funds to MS-13 members and associates in El Salvador. Authorities said he also accepted money from a member who had collected it from multiple brothels.

Three other WLS members, including Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, 26, of Adelphi; Hernan Yanes-Rivera, 22, of Adelphi; and Agustino Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, 25, of Silver Spring, were previously sentenced to 28 years, 22 years, and 16 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy.

Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines to report tips. The FBI can be reached at 1-866-STP-MS13 or HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.