Four alleged members of the infamous MS-13 gang have been charged with the murder of a 14-year-old boy, whose body was discovered in a Maryland park, according to authorities.
Jose Merlos-Majano, 18, Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla, 21, William Cuellar Gutierrez, 19, and a 17-year-old have been formally indicted on several charges. These include first-degree murder, the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and involvement in a criminal organization, as announced by Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that all four individuals are members of MS-13 and are in the United States illegally.
Authorities have charged Jose Merlos-Majano, Alan Garcia-Padilla, William Gutierrez, and a 17-year-old with the murder of Jefferson Amaya-Ayala, 14. This announcement was made by the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Jefferson Amaya-Ayala, who lived in Washington, D.C., was reported missing on August 2, 2025. On November 3, nearly three months later, police in Prince George’s County revealed that they had found “what appeared to be possible human remains” in a local park.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has since confirmed that the remains belong to Amaya-Ayala, who died from “multiple injuries.” The cause of death has been ruled a homicide.
Through their investigation, detectives identified the four suspects in the alleged homicide. Authorities said that their preliminary investigation found that Amaya-Ayala “was lured” to the park and murdered on Aug. 2.
Police said that the teen “knew at least one of the four suspects,” adding that the murder appears gang-related. However, the motive remains under investigation.
Police say that Jefferson Amaya-Ayala was allegedly lured to a Maryland park where he was brutally murdered in August. (Department of Homeland Security)
DHS identified Merlos-Majano as a Salvadoran national, who authorities allege is affiliated with MS-13. DHS said he was previously arrested in Washington, D.C., on charges including defacing public property and possession of a prohibited weapon after allegedly spray-painting MS-13 gang symbols on homes.
DHS said Garcia-Padilla, 21, also a Salvadoran national alleged to be an MS-13 member, was previously convicted in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia of attempted unlawful possession of ammunition. He was also found in possession of fraudulent documents, including a lawful permanent resident card and a Social Security card, according to DHS. The agency said Garcia-Padilla was released from custody during the Biden administration.
The U.S. southern border near El Paso, Texas. (Fox News Photo/Joshua Comins)
Cuellar Gutierrez was also identified by DHS as a Salvadoran national and alleged MS-13 member. He was previously arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia on multiple weapons-related charges, including possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, carrying a pistol without a license in a gun-free zone, and possession of unregistered ammunition.
DHS said he was released from custody during the Biden administration.
A fourth suspect, a 17-year-old, has also been charged.
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