The highest sentences imposed by the 5th Organized Crime Court of San Salvador were for gang members responsible for serious crimes. Nelson Alberto Durán Delgado, alias “El Chato”, leader of the “29 de Agosto” Community, was sentenced to 224 years in prison for 7 aggravated homicides and illicit groups.
Mauricio Ernesto Catalán Munguía, alias “El Popeye”, and Mario Ricardo Díaz Romero, alias “Little Gasper”, also received significant sentences, with 215 years in prison each. Josué Eduardo Pérez, alias “El Guayo”, was sentenced to 125 years. They were all active gang members.
The criminal structure, operating in more than 16 neighborhoods of the capital, including the Dolores neighborhood, Costa Rica, San Patricio, IVU, was responsible for 13 homicides and 2 femicides between 2006 and 2018. Cases stand out where they used stones and hammers to beat their victims until they die.
Among the victims are 60-year-old husbands, murdered because the gang believed they were being exposed as informants. The investigations revealed the brutality of their methods, evidencing a high level of violence.
In addition to the sentences for gang members, 3-year sentences were imposed for “civilians” who collaborated with the gang.