A man who played a pivotal role in heinous gang-related murders within Northern Virginia has received life sentences for his actions. Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, age 27, was sentenced on January 30, 2025, to six concurrent life terms for charges including murder, racketeering, and firearms violations stemming from his affiliation with the infamous MS-13 gang. This decision, made by federal Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, serves as both punishment and deterrent for the burgeoning gang violence.
Alas Candray's criminal activities were part of MS-13's efforts to expand its influence and terrorize the community. Originated by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles to escape civil war, MS-13 has continuously scarred communities across the United States through violence. Caught up in this strife, Alas Candray aimed to climb the gang's hierarchy by committing egregious acts, resulting not only from gang orders but driven by personal ambition.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office articulated the chilling reality of Alas Candray’s actions during the sentencing. Prosecutors revealed how, during the time he terrorized Reston, he was involved directly in the murders of six individuals between 2018 and 2022. Community members, who previously shared environments with the victims, looked on as gruesome details emerged about the murders, many calculated with disturbing premeditation.
According to the trial proceedings, Alas Candray was convicted on five counts of murder and conspiracy, along with three firearm-related charges. Each of the six victims faced brutal deaths, often at hands of multiple gang affiliates. Among them were Kevin Abarca Choto, 18; and Iris Janet Ponce Garcia, 19, both brutally executed for trivial reasons. Some victims were ruthlessly ambushed; Garcia met her fate after being lured under false pretenses to befriend gang members and then shot multiple times.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis emphasized the significance of this verdict, stating, "This verdict sends a clear message...we will hold those accountable for their actions." The community's resistance to tolerate such violence was echoed through the testimonies presented during the trial, where former gang members turned government cooperators provided gut-wrenching accounts of Alas Candray’s calculated cruelty.
One particularly chilling testimony described how Alas Candray and his gang associates took action against those who simply frequented their perceived territory. Two victims who were often seen drinking together behind the shopping plaza considered nuisances were slaughtered without hesitation. They were summarily executed amid chilling gang rituals to reinforce fear within the community.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Braun painted a stark image of Alas Candray’s brutality, asserting, "He gangs up on his victims, he shoots them in the back, and he defiles their corpses." This acknowledgment of gang culture's horrifying nature illustrated the systemic violence underpinning MS-13's operatives.
Yet, amid this horror, Alas Candray's defense attorney, Andrew Stewart, attempted to humanize the convicted felon. He highlighted Alas Candray's upbringing, framed by gang control and violence, arguing, "Growing up...is anything but normal." Stewart’s argument, affirming the harsh and twisted societal norms Alas Candray was subjected to, sought to mitigate the perception of his actions. The defense claimed the life sentence constituted cruel and unusual punishment, citing constitutional concerns.
Judge Nachmanoff dismissed these claims emphatically, underscoring the unrepentant nature of Alas Candray's crimes. "These are horrific crimes, and the defendant has shown no remorse," he declared, as he asserted the necessity of upholding justice. The judge made clear his perception of the broader responsibility of immigrants who have legal status to uphold peace within their adopted communities.
The lifetimes of atrocity came at the cost of six lives, four lost within Valleys of Reston, as well as one each from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Great Falls, Virginia. Tomorrow and yet to come, these victims are not mere statistics; they embody the broader toll violence brings to affected communities.
The federal government has promised to continue its crackdown on MS-13 operations, with additional indictments on the horizon. Notably, another trial concerning the six deaths is slated to commence around January 2026, as the illegitimate actions extending from the gang's inner workings continue to surface.
Fairfax County grapples with its recent tragedies, intertwining grief and relief as it looks forward to healing. With the verdict delivered, the community looks to reclaim its spaces where such violence once thrived, hoping for peace, resolve, and healing.