Story perspectives

Four MS-13 Members Indicted for Murder of Teen

3/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Four MS-13 members—Jose Merlos-Majano (18), Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla (21), William Cuellar Gutierrez (19), and a 17-year-old—have been indicted in Maryland for the murder of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala.
Amaya-Ayala was reported missing in August 2025 and his body was found in November 2025.
They face charges including first-degree murder and participation in a criminal organization.
The suspects are illegal immigrants from El Salvador with prior criminal records.

History

Historical Context

MS-13, originating in Los Angeles in the 1980s to protect Salvadoran immigrants, evolved into a violent criminal organization. By 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice identified over 10,000 members as a significant threat. The recent indictment of four members for the murder of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala highlights ongoing gang violence and the challenges of immigration and crime in the U.S.

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Story summary

Four MS-13 members—Jose Merlos-Majano (18), Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla (21), William Cuellar Gutierrez (19), and a 17-year-old—have been indicted in Maryland for the murder of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala.
Amaya-Ayala was reported missing in August 2025 and his body was found in November 2025.
They face charges including first-degree murder and participation in a criminal organization.
The suspects are illegal immigrants from El Salvador with prior criminal records.

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