Three men were convicted Tuesday of numerous crimes including the 2008 stabbing death of a 14-year-old boy near the Columbia Heights Metro station in D.C.
Yester Ayala, 22, of Washington, D.C., Noe Machado-Erazo, 30, of Wheaton, Md., and Jose Martinez-Amaya, 26, of Brentwood, Md. were found guilty of various crimes including conspiring to participate in racketeering and murder.
"These three killers now face life in prison for their outrageous crimes, including the stabbing death of a 14-year-old boy in Columbia Heights," said Acting U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr.
Giovanni Sanchez was 14 years old when he was attacked Dec. 12, 2008. Sanchez died from the injuries, which included 11 stab wounds. Ayala joined in on the attack and was identified as one of the assailants.
According to evidence presented in the month-long trial, Machado-Erazo and Martinez-Amaya took part in the killing of Felipe Enriquez, 25, whose body was found March 31, 2010 in Montgomery County, Md.
Ayala was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, two counts of murder in aid of racketeering, one count of first-degree premeditated murder and one count of second-degree murder.
Machado-Erazo was found guilty of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, murder in aid of racketeering and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
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Martinez-Amaya was found guilty of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, murder in aid of racketeering and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Prosecutors said the three men found guilty had strong affiliations to a Latin American gang.
