Prosecutor: 5 charged in gang initiation slaying
ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) -- Three men and two juveniles face several charges stemming from a gang initiation slaying earlier this year, authorities announced Tuesday.
Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park said all five suspects are confirmed members of the MS-13 street gang, while the victim was purported to be a member of rival gang.
German Moreno, 21; Carlos Amaya, 19, and Luis Alfaro, 26, are each charged with murder, gang criminality, solicitation or recruitment to join a criminal street gang and weapons offenses. Juvenile complaints reflecting several of the same allegations were filed against the juvenile defendants, but further information on them was not disclosed.
"There's no place in Union County, or anywhere else for that matter, for this type of brazen, reckless and calculated violence reflected in these charges," Park said at Tuesday's press conference.
All five suspects could face life terms if convicted.
The charges stem from the May 19 shooting death of 18-year-old Jonathan Landaverde, who was found outside a home in Elizabeth. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Authorities said a joint investigation determined the killing was not a random act of violence.
Moreno, who prosecutors said is a high-ranking MS-13 member with regional influence, allegedly traveled to Elizabeth shortly before the shooting occurred to recruit additional gang members. He also wanted to ensure that the local faction of the gang was asserting its control and influence in the area, prosecutors said.
Moreno allegedly ordered the two juvenile defendants to kill Landaverde as a means to that end. Amaya and Alfaro allegedly were involved in the planning of the shooting.
"This violent enterprise has shown no reluctance to impose its leader's will through reckless violence, intimidation and a callous disregard for human life," Park said.
Four of the defendants allegedly left New Jersey after the shooting in an effort to evade arrest. One of the juvenile suspects was already a confirmed MS-13 member at the time of the shooting, authorities said, while the other was a recruit who was initiated into the gang as a result of the shooting.
The two juveniles are being held in custody in Texas, while the three adult suspects are jailed in New Jersey. Moreno's bail was set at $3.5 million, while Alfaro and Amaya are being held on $2.5 million and $2 million bail, respectively.
Dino Flammia contributed to this report.
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