A member of the gang MS-13 was convicted yesterday (Tuesday) for his role in several murders, including five that occurred in the Reston area between 2019 and 2022.
The conviction of Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, now 27, by a federal jury in Alexandria concluded a multi-year investigation that crossed state lines and involved the FBI, Fairfax County Police Department and other federal and local agencies, according to FBI acting Special Agent in Charge.
“Alas Candray committed half a dozen gruesome murders to rise in rank in MS-13, demonstrating a vile disregard for his victims’ lives,” Geist said. “… We thank the victim’s families for their patience throughout Alas Candray’s prosecution and reaffirm our commitment to bringing MS-13 members to justice for terrorizing communities throughout the country.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Virginia, Alas Candray first worked with other MS-13 members to kill an associate in New Bedford, Massachusetts, who was believed to have betrayed the gang. The group beat and strangled the victim on Aug. 25, 2018.