MS-13 Gang Leader Could Face Death Penalty In NoVA Teens' Deaths

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia will pursue the death penalty against an MS-13 gang leader for killings of two teens. Elmer Zelaya Martinez, 29, was one of 11 MS-13 gang members charged for roles in the 2016 murders in Fairfax County's Holmes Run Park.

According to court documents filed Monday, Zelaya Martinez played a major role in planning the fatal stabbings of Edvin Escobar Mendez, 17, of Falls Church, and Sergio Arita Triminio, 14, of Alexandria.

Gang members lured Escobar Mendez to the park in August 2016, believing he was helping a rival gang. The gang members reportedly killed the teen and buried his remains in the park.

The following month, Sergio Arita Triminio, 14, of Alexandria, was lured to the park, believing he was cooperating with police. He was attacked and killed with his remains being buried in the park, prosecutors say.

The two teens' bodies were found in Holmes Run Park in March 2017.

The death penalty will not be an option against the 10 other gang members charged in the case. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued detainers against the defendants, who are from El Salvador.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.