MS-13 Leader “Gordo” Sentenced to Life in Prison for Role in San Francisco Gang Violence.

The leader of the MS-13 20th Street clique, Elmer Rodriguez, known on the streets as “Gordo,” was sentenced to life behind bars.

In a case that sheds light on the ruthless acts of gang violence plaguing communities, Rodriguez has been convicted of racketeering conspiracy, the murders, and attempted murder that terrorized residents for years.

In a trial that culminated on June 1, 2023, Rodriguez was found guilty of two counts of murder in aid of racketeering, one count of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and a count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

“For years, the defendant led a violent street gang that committed several murders and attempted murders in the Bay Area, particularly in a Mission District of San Francisco,” First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Robbins stated.

“San Francisco residents deserve to feel safe in their own communities.”

Evidence presented at the trial, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, included Rodriguez’s orders for the murder of Jorge Martinez in March 2017, who was enjoying his birthday after a Warriors game when he was mistakenly identified as a rival gang member and shot to death.

Another victim, Giovanni Alvarez, also fell prey to Rodriguez’s command, brutally killed by machete all because of suspicion of cooperation with law enforcement.

With no parole in the federal system, life in prison is exactly that—a life.

San Francisco’s HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King highlighted the collaborative effort leading to this result: “This sentence today sends a loud and clear message that HSI, with law enforcement agencies in the region, will continue to work around the clock, always prioritizing the safety of our communities.” With Rodriguez’s sentencing, seventeen defendants have now been brought to justice for crimes related to the racketeering enterprise.

This intensifying clampdown on MS-13 activity in the Bay Area is not merely a tale of one gang leader’s downfall but a narrative about safeguarding a community’s right to live without fear. The collective work of the HSI, San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), and various other agencies has been pivotal in dismantling the structures of violence that once cast a dark shadow over San Francisco.