On April 4th of the year 2025 in Broward County Floridas Cold Case Homicide Unit under the Broward Sheriff’s Office along with the Gang Investigations Task Force and federal agencies like the FBI and Homeland Security have apprehended nine individuals linked to four gang related homicides attributed to MS13 that took place in South Florida back, in 2014 and 2015. Since 2015 detectives from the BSO Homicide Unit began to observe connections among multiple brutal homicides in Broward County. These violent incidents occurred within an area, in Oakland Park and seemed to be linked to gang activities with knives or machetes being the weapons of choice. Despite investigations and pursuit of leads the cases eventually went unsolved and grew stagnant. In 2020 the Cold Case Unit of the BSO revisited murder cases and with a mix of investigative methods and modern technologies detectives reconstructed evidence linking MS 13 gang leaders, members and recruits in South Florida and Virginia to the aforementioned killings. One of these investigations involved an excavation lasting multiple days, in Oakland Park in 2021 resulted in the discovery of Joel Canizales Laras body who went missing back in 2014. In an incident on November 23rd in 2014 involving individuals such as Wilson Tirado Silva and Miguel Cabrera Granados who were associated with MS13 gang members along with Melvin David Cruz Oritz. It was believed that Joel Antonio Canizales Lara was falsely representing himself as a member of MS13, from El Salvador. After realizing he wasn’t part of the MS‐13 gang in November 2014 Tirado Silva along with Granados and Cruz‐Ortiz tricked Canizales‐Lvra into a deserted area on North Dixie Highway in Oakland Park and fatally stabbed him there before buryng him, in a makeshift grave. In May 2021 after a forensic investigation Canizales Laras body was found. Victim Omar DeJesus Gutierrez was 18 years old and born on March 15th in the year 1996; he was male.A Wilson Tirado Silva and Andy Tovar were arrested on January 7th in the year 2015 for their involvement.A witness informed Tirado Silva that Gutierrez was displaying signs associated with a gang.The leader of MS. 13 gang named Andy Tovar gave the authorization for Gutierrezs killing.Tirado Silva found Gutierrez on January 7th in the year 2015 at the vicinity of the 200 block situated in Northeast Oakland Park Boulevard, in Oakland Park where he committed the murder.Importantly Gutierrez was not officially affiliated with any gangs. Eight individuals associated with the MS‐13 gang were responsible for the death of Gerson Vasquez Portillo in western Palm Beach County back in May 2015. Among those involved were Andy Tovar and Melvin David Cruz‐Ortiz along with others who were charged in connection with this crime, on May 3rd of that year. As per investigators findings and reports indicate that Portillo was suspected to have ties with a gang at the time he was fatally stabbed and shot dead. CASE 4; Victim; Chrislet Ondina (25 years ) Date of birth. February 28 1990 Gender. Male Arrestees; Wilson Tirado Silva Melvin David Cruz Oritz Occurrence Date; October 19 2015 On October 19 2015,Crhislet Ondina was socializing with Tirado Silva and Cruz Oritz in the area of 100 block on Northwest 41st Street, in Oakland Park. At one point in time Tirado Silva and the other individual made the decision to take Ondinas life by stabbing her to death.The authorities suspect that this brutal act was intended as a way for Cruz Oritz to join MS 13 gang members.In July 2022,Broward Sheriffs Office detectives and their federal counterparts started obtaining federal grand jury indictments for charges related to murder in support of crime, against Tirado Silva,Tovar,Cabrera Granados,Gomez Melendez,Cruz Ortiz and Vigil Benitez. All of them. Admitted guilt or were found guilty for their involvement in different murders cases. After investigation in March 2025 BSO and FBI investigators apprehended Game Maravilla, Bermude Martinez and Escobar for their connection to Portillos killing. Another suspect linked to the case remains at large. The six convicted individuals are looking at a lifetime, behind bars while the three arrested in 2025 could potentially face capital punishment. Court documents and details about these cases can be accessed on the website of the Southern District of Florida District Court at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http;//pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov by using case number 22 cr‐60078.”These heartless and vicious criminals have shown a disregard for human life through their cruel actions ” stated Sheriff Dr.Gregory Tony.“The dedicated Cold Case Homicide investigators, at BSO collaborated closely with our counterparts to once again prove that justice knows noschedule.””We have a responsibility to the families of those affected and the community to ensure that those responsible for these acts face justice.” The Gang Investigations Task Force of BSO has reported that MS‐13 gang operates in Broward County but is not thought to have a presence in the area.. According to the U.S Department of Justice MS‐13 is described as a gang with ties, across various parts of the country primarily made up of immigrants or their descendants from El Salvador. “Nine individuals affiliated with MS 13 gang have been apprehended from our communities and four unsolved homicide cases have been resolved due to the efforts of the FBI and our dedicated law enforcement collaborators ” stated Attorney General Pamela Bondi.” This serves as a reminder that we are unwavering in our commitment, to seeking justice no the duration of time.” Hayden P O’Byrne from the Southern District of Florida stated that the brutal and heartless actions carried out by MS 13 not caused immense harm to individuals but also jeopardized the safety and well being of communities, in South Florida.” “By working with federal agencies and law enforcement at the state and local levels from my offices side ensures a strong message is being sent to those responsible for violence or drug related issues in our community. You will be pursued and faced with the consequences under the law.” “The ongoing investigation showcases the FBIs determination to apprehend individuals posing a threat, to safety in our neighborhoods.” “The FBI and the Miami Field Office consider tackling crime as a crucial focus ” mentioned Brett Skiles, acting Special Agent in Charge FBI Miami. “We appreciate the partnerships with various law enforcement agencies at different levels local, state and international as their collaborative work was key in locating these violent offenders across various locations like South Florida, Central Florida, Kearney in Nebraska Saint Paul, in Minnesota and Mexico City.”We appreciate the work and commitment of our partners in ensuring the safety of our country and its citizens; nevertheless* it is crucial to remember that collaboration with law enforcement agencies is essential in addressing cold cases and criminal activities effectively*. We urge the public to reach out to law enforcement if they possess any information*. Engaging in communication with our communities plays a significant role in our investigative efforts and frequently provides key insights, for solving cases*. We are committed to utilizing all resources and exploring every corner of the world to ensure that those who threaten the safety of our people and society are held accountable without hesitation.” The FBI and HSI have established helplines for individuals looking to provide information regarding the activities of the MS–13 gang.In case you wish to report information regarding this group you can contact the FBI at 1–866–787–6713 (STP–MS13) and HSI at 1–866–2423 (DHS).Investigators are on standby, for your assistance. Detective A.Gianino of the Homicide Unit and Detective J.Hayes of the CID Homicide Unit
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