MS-13 Gang Members Indicted In 14-Year-Old's Death

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Four MS-13 gang members have been indicted in connection to the death of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala from Washington, D.C.

In January, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged detainers on three of the suspects who ICE says are undocumented immigrants and from El Salvador.

In August 2025, Amaya-Ayala was reported missing after he was last seen in the 1400 block of Sheridan Street in the Brightwood neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C. His remains were found at Indian Creek Stream Valley Park on Nov. 3, according to the Prince George's County Police Department.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced Wednesday that D.C. residents and undocumented individuals Jose Merlos-Majano, Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla and William Cuellar Gutierrez, along with a 17-year-old from Hyattsville, have been indicted on charges relating to Amaya-Ayala's death including first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and participation in a criminal organization.

Amaya-Ayala knew at least one suspect, police said. Preliminary investigation suggests he was lured to the park and killed on Aug. 2 — the day he went missing, Patch reported previously.

According to ICE, Alam Josai Garcia Padilla had been previously convicted of attempted unlawful possession of ammunition by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Garcia Padilla also was in possession of fraudulent documents including a lawful permanent resident card and social security card.

Jose Vladimir Merlos had been previously arrested for defacing public property and possession of a prohibited weapon, a knife, when he was caught spray painting MS-13 gang symbols on houses in Washington, D.C.

William Ariel Cuellar Guiterrez was previously arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia for possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, carrying a pistol without a license in gun free zone and possession of unregistered ammunition.