MS-13 gang member receives life sentence for racketeering and murder conspiracy charges.

MARYLAND (WBFF) — On Tuesday, a U.S. District judge sentenced Jose Rafael Ortega-Ayala, “Impaciente,” 30, to life in federal prison for racketeering and murder conspiracy charges.

The charges also include committing murder in aid of racketeering, and for conspiracy to destroy and conceal evidence connected to his participation in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also known as MS-13.

The charges are related to the murder of a victim believed to be cooperating with law enforcement and the alleged cover-up of the murder.

Ortega-Ayala was convicted on December 16, 2022, after a two-week trial, along with co-defendants Jose Domingo Ordonez-Zometa, “Felon,” 33, of Landover Hills, Maryland and Jose Henry Hernandez-Garcia, “Paciente,” 29, of Annandale, Virginia.

Ordonez-Zometa and Hernandez-Garcia were previously sentenced to life in federal prison.

Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement.

The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know.