WASHINGTON — Five men have been arrested in connection with the death of a Montgomery County teen whose remains were found in Woodbridge, Virginia, two years ago.
Police in Prince William County said four men — located in Indiana, New Jersey and Texas earlier this month — have been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of 19-year-old Guillermo Hernandez Leyva.
A fifth man, who has been charged with accessory to murder before the fact, was located in Montgomery County.
Prince William County Police said the suspects and Hernandez Levya had ties to the MS-13 street gang.
Police discovered Hernandez Leyva’s remains in a wooded area of Woodbridge off Westminister Lane in September 2015 while investigating another incident. Authorities said he had been beaten and stabbed. They believe he came to Prince William County in July of that year.
The four men charged with first-degree murder were located as part of an extensive investigation that included the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement agencies. They are all awaiting extradition. They are:
- Daniel Alexander Flores Ventura, 24 — located in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Wilians Ernesto Lovos Ayala, 24 — located in Atlantic County, New Jersey
- Michael Alexander Campos Lemus, 23 — located in Essex County, New Jersey
- Vilas Sail Arugeta Bermudez, 30 — located in Texas
Carlos Ulises Ochoa Pineda, 23, was located in Montgomery County and is charged with accessory to murder before the fact. He is being held without bond.
Police spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Perok said the number of arrests is not surprising given the case’s gang ties.
“What we’ve seen is with these MS-13 cases that we’ve had in Prince William (County), alone, there’s usually multiple players involved,” he said. “I don’t remember a single MS-13 case that we’ve had lately that has only resulted in one arrest. You’re usually looking at multiple arrests.”
The men are due in court Dec. 15.
A series of grisly gang killings in Northern Virginia have led to concerns about a resurgence of the notorious criminal street gang.
