By Chris Teale (File photo)
A city resident and member of the notorious Salvadorian gang MS-13 was sentenced Wednesday to two life terms plus 10 years in prison for his role in a 2014 Arlandria slaying.
Jesus Alejandro Chavez, 26, of Alexandria, was convicted of murder in aid of racketeering; use of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death; felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Chavez, Jose Del Cid, 20, of Alexandria and Genaro Sen Garcia, 21, murdered Julio Urrutia on the 3800 block of Russell Road late June 19, 2014.
Prosecutors said that several MS-13 gang members, including Chavez, were looking for rival gang members when they approached a group of young men, flashed their gang signs and challenged them about their gang affiliation.
During the exchange, Chavez pulled out a gun and shot Urrutia in the neck at point blank range. Urrutia died from his injuries two days later. Del Cid was sentenced to two life sentences May 9 for two counts of murder in aid of racketeering.
A total of 13 defendants were charged in an anti-gang case, which included gang-related homicides in Woodbridge and Falls Church in 2013 and 2014. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Fairfax County Police Department’s Gang Investigations Unit, the Prince William County Police Department and the Alexandria Police Department.
