MS-13 Gang Associate Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for the Murder of 17-Year-Old Victim in Kissena Park in Queens

Juan Amaya-Ramirez, also known as “Cadaver,” an associate of the La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as “MS-13,” a transnational criminal organization, was sentenced yesterday, in federal court in Brooklyn, by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 45 years in prison for his role in the April 23, 2018 murder of 17-year-old Andy Peralta in Kissena Park in Queens, New York.  Amaya-Ramirez and co-defendant Oscar Flores-Mejia, also known as “Chamuco,” who is also an associate of the MS-13 gang, pleaded guilty to the murder in September 2024.  Flores-Mejia is awaiting sentencing.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI) announced the sentence.

“The senselessness of this murder is matched only by its brutality,” said United States Attorney Nocella.  “The defendants lured Andy Peralta to a secluded part of Kissena park where they beat him mercilessly before Amaya-Ramirez choked him to death and Flores-Mejia hacked him with a knife.  The murder of this young victim is a chilling reminder of MS-13’s callous disregard for human life.  Bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice is one of our Office’s highest priorities.”

“Juan Amaya-Ramriez, an MS-13 associate, brutally attacked and murdered Andy Peralta out of senseless retaliation,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “The defendant unjustly sentenced Peralta to a horrific death due to a false perception of his status as a rival.  The FBI continues to make significant strides throughout Operation Summer Heat to hold accountable gang members maliciously acting as the judge, jury, and executioner to promote their operations.”

“For far too long, senseless gang violence has plagued our neighborhoods and devastated families,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Patel.  “Andy Peralta was viciously beaten, stabbed, and strangled to death by savages whose sentences now reflect the seriousness of their crimes.  Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI New York will not stand by as our streets are overrun by violent gang members.  The eradication of gang violence on Long Island and throughout the state remains an utmost priority for HSI New York and our law enforcement partners.”

As proved at a hearing in connection with codefendant Leyla Carranza’s sentencing, the defendants sought to murder Peralta because they believed he was associated with the 18th Street gang, an MS-13 rival. Flores-Mejia found a video online that depicted Peralta, who the defendants did not know, briefly flashing a sign associated with the 18th Street gang.  This was enough in the defendants’ eyes to mark him for death.  Flores-Mejia recruited a 16-year-old boy to help kill Peralta, and Amaya-Ramirez’s then-girlfriend Leyla Carranza was recruited to befriend Peralta and lure him to his death in the park.

The day of the murder, Flores-Mejia bought black winter gloves to be used in the attack and carried a knife.  Carranza messaged Peralta and then took him to a predetermined location in Kissena Park.  Amaya-Ramirez, Flores-Mejia and their 16-year-old accomplice were waiting. Flores-Mejia gave a signal, and the men attacked Peralta.  They beat Peralta until they were exhausted.  Peralta got up, but Flores-Mejia kicked Peralta down.  Amaya-Ramirez then began strangling Peralta while Flores-Mejia was stomping on his head.  Peralta begged for his life and called out for his mother and father.  Flores-Mejia put dirt in his mouth to silence him and Amaya-Ramirez choked him to death.  Flores-Mejia then stabbed Peralta in the back and slashed his tattoo of his girlfriend’s name.

The men then took a photograph of themselves posing over Peralta’s lifeless body and flashing MS-13 hand signs.  They then stole Peralta’s money and dragged his body to a small body of water, where he was found the following day.

Today’s sentencing is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of MS-13.  MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador and Honduras, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States. Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York.  A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders, and assaults.  Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 45 murders in the district and has convicted dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders.  These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by our law enforcement partners including HSI and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, comprising agents and officers of the FBI and NYPD.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime & Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia E. Moore, Jonathan Siegel, and Anna L. Karamigios are in charge of the prosecution.   

The Defendant:

JUAN AMAYA-RAMIREZ (also known as “Cadaver”)
Age: 27
Fresh Meadows, Queens

Defendant Awaiting Sentencing:

OSCAR FLORES-MEJIA (also known as “Chamuco”)
Age: 25
Elmhurst, Queens

Defendant Previously Sentenced:

LEYLA CARRANZA
Age: 24
Richmond, Virginia

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-228 (LDH)