SANTA ANA, CA — Cesar De La O Rodriguez, 21, a member of the violent 18th Street gang and a citizen of El Salvador, was sentenced today to 40 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit violent crimes, including murder. Rodriguez, also known by his gang moniker “Lunatico,” was involved in the stalking and killing of a suspected rival gang member in December 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Rodriguez was sentenced after pleading guilty in February 2024 to conspiring to participate in a racketeering influenced and corrupt organization (RICO conspiracy) and conspiracy to commit violent crime in aid of racketeering-murder. His violent history doesn’t end with this conviction.
The Murder and Gang Activity
Rodriguez’s involvement in gang-related violence came to light in December 2021, when he, along with co-conspirators, murdered Danis Alcides Salgado Mata, a suspected member of a rival gang. The killing took place in Rockville, Maryland, after Rodriguez and his fellow gang members tracked Mata to his home. Believing Mata was affiliated with the MS-13 gang, Rodriguez and another member opened fire, killing Mata and injuring his mother and stepfather, who both survived the attack.
Following the murder, Rodriguez fled the scene and was eventually promoted within the 18th Street gang to the rank of “homeboy,” a full-fledged member of the organization.
Additional Charges
Rodriguez’s sentence comes after an additional violent incident in February 2024, just days after his guilty plea. He was involved in the jailhouse stabbing of another inmate at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia. He now faces additional charges, including attempted murder and malicious wounding causing significant physical impairment.
Gang Activities and Violent Culture
The 18th Street gang, to which Rodriguez belongs, is a known transnational criminal organization engaged in violent activities including assault, robbery, kidnapping, murder, and firearms trafficking. The gang operates not only in the United States but internationally. Members like Rodriguez are often ordered to carry out violent acts to further the gang’s interests, particularly targeting rivals, gang rule violators, and suspected informants.
Future Consequences
Rodriguez’s sentence of 40 years in federal prison is not the end of his legal troubles. After completing his term, he will face deportation proceedings back to El Salvador, where he is originally from.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the seriousness of gang-related violence and the commitment to holding individuals like Rodriguez accountable for their actions.
“This case serves as a reminder of the violent and devastating impacts gangs have on our communities,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We will continue to fight against these criminal organizations and ensure that perpetrators of such crimes are held accountable.”
Rodriguez’s sentence is a significant victory for law enforcement, but it also highlights the continuing dangers posed by violent gangs and their activities both in the U.S. and abroad.
