MS-13 Member Sentenced For Brutal Beating In Falls Church Area

FALLS CHURCH, VA — A violent gang attack in a Falls Church area park has led to the sentencing of an MS-13 member. Jose Ochoa Del-Cid, 21, of Falls Church, who admitted to being a MS-13 gang member, was sentenced in federal court to more than five and a half years in prison for a leadership role in the attack.

Federal prosecutors say the attack happened in October 2018 at James Lee Park, which is outside Falls Church City in Fairfax County. Del-Cid and other MS-13 members lured the victim to the park, believing he was cooperating with law enforcement, falsely saying he was an MS-13 member and making disparaging remarks about the Silvas clique of MS-13.

At the park, Del-Cid and about a dozen gang members beat the victim with their fists, feet and bats for about three minutes. The victim suffered multiple broken limbs and was in the hospital for days.

According to court documents, Del-Cid was sentenced with a special condition upon his release. After serving prison time, he will serve 50 hours of community service to tell young people in the immigrant community about his gang experience and how to resist joining gangs.