MS-13 Member Sentenced for RICO Conspiracy and Drug Trafficking

BOSTON – An MS-13 member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on drug trafficking and RICO conspiracy charges. 

Edgar Pleitez, a/k/a “Cadejo,” 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison and four years of supervised release.  In March 2018, Pleitez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Pleitez, who was a “homeboy” or full member of MS-13’s East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique, conspired with other MS-13 members to distribute heroin and further the criminal activities of MS-13. In 2015, a cooperating witness made three separate purchases of heroin from Pleitez. Pleitez was arrested and charged in January 2016 following a three-year investigation which targeted dozens of leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts. While numerous defendants committed violent acts on behalf of the gang, other defendants, including Pleitez, engaged in other criminal activity, such as drug trafficking, to help finance the operations of the gang.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Turco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief James Guido; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement.