Juan Amaya-Ramirez, known as “Cadaver,” was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of 17-year-old Andy Peralta in Kissena Park, Queens. The sentencing took place in federal court in Brooklyn before United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. Amaya-Ramirez and Oscar Flores-Mejia, also known as “Chamuco,” both associates of the MS-13 gang, pleaded guilty to the crime in September 2024. Flores-Mejia is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia, and HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel announced the sentence.
“The senselessness of this murder is matched only by its brutality,” said United States Attorney Nocella. “The defendants lured Andy Peralta to a secluded part of Kissena park where they beat him mercilessly before Amaya-Ramirez choked him to death and Flores-Mejia hacked him with a knife. The murder of this young victim is a chilling reminder of MS-13’s callous disregard for human life. Bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice is one of our Office’s highest priorities.”
“Juan Amaya-Ramriez, an MS-13 associate, brutally attacked and murdered Andy Peralta out of senseless retaliation,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The defendant unjustly sentenced Peralta to a horrific death due to a false perception of his status as a rival. The FBI continues to make significant strides throughout Operation Summer Heat to hold accountable gang members maliciously acting as the judge, jury, and executioner to promote their operations.”
“For far too long, senseless gang violence has plagued our neighborhoods and devastated families,” stated HSI Special Agent in Charge Patel. “Andy Peralta was viciously beaten, stabbed, and strangled to death by savages whose sentences now reflect the seriousness of their crimes. Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI New York will not stand by as our streets are overrun by violent gang members. The eradication of gang violence on Long Island and throughout the state remains an utmost priority for HSI New York and our law enforcement partners.”
According to evidence presented at related hearings, the defendants targeted Peralta because they believed he was linked with the 18th Street gang—a rival group—after seeing a video online showing him briefly flashing a sign associated with that gang. Flores-Mejia recruited another teenager for assistance while Leyla Carranza befriended Peralta under false pretenses.
On April 23, 2018, Carranza led Peralta into Kissena Park where Amaya-Ramirez, Flores-Mejia and their accomplice were waiting. After attacking Peralta until exhaustion set in among them all, Amaya-Ramirez strangled him while Flores-Mejia stomped on his head; then dirt was placed into Peralta’s mouth before he died from strangulation followed by stabbing.
Afterward they took photographs posing over the body displaying MS-13 hand signs before stealing money from Peralta and moving his body near water where it was discovered later.
This case is part of ongoing federal prosecutions against MS-13 members conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting criminal activity attributed to this organization which has roots abroad but operates across multiple states domestically; hundreds have been convicted since 2003 on various charges including racketeering connected with murders or assaults.
Investigations leading up to these prosecutions have involved cooperation between agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joint task forces comprised of FBI agents alongside NYPD officers.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia E. Moore, Jonathan Siegel, and Anna L. Karamigios are overseeing prosecution efforts within the Organized Crime & Gangs Section.
Amaya-Ramirez is from Fresh Meadows; co-defendant Oscar Flores-Mejia resides in Elmhurst; Leyla Carranza previously received her sentence.
