Ramiro Gutierrez and Tito Martinez Alvarenga were sentenced in federal court in Brooklyn on March 11 to 55 years and 48 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in the murders of Abel Mosso in 2019 and Victor Alvarenga in 2018. Both men pleaded guilty to these crimes in January 2025.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address gang violence and protect communities from organized crime. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts, according to the official website.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. said, “In committing these terrible murders, these defendants and MS-13 put entire communities at risk, including innocent commuters. They will spend decades in prison for their crimes, and our Office and our law enforcement partners will keep working to ensure that any gang member who does not learn from their example is similarly held accountable.” Nocella also thanked the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for its coordination with the investigation.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso said, “The defendants’ ruthless actions as MS-13 members — including orchestrating the shooting of Victor Alvarenga, and the cold-blooded killing of Abel Mosso on a busy subway platform — have not only led to the loss of innocent lives but also spread fear, trauma, and devastation throughout our communities. These horrific crimes underscore the urgent need for continued coordinated law enforcement action to confront gang violence. HSI New York, together with our partners, will leave no stone unturned in protecting New Yorkers and holding those responsible fully accountable.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added: “As part of a vicious, ruthless international gang, these two defendants terrorized innocent people for years. Now, they will pay for their crimes with lengthy prison sentences. The NYPD will continue to pursue justice against anyone who threatens our communities, and New York City is a safer place today with these two convicted murderers behind bars.”
According to case details presented at trial, Victor Alvarenga was shot near his home after being targeted by MS-13 leaders who ordered his killing. In another incident on February 3, 2019, Gutierrez and Martinez Alvarenga followed Abel Mosso onto a subway train before assaulting him; Mosso was then shot multiple times on a crowded platform after one defendant declared their gang affiliation aloud.
These prosecutions are part of broader federal efforts targeting MS-13 members across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County as indicated on the official website. Since 2003 hundreds of MS-13 members have been convicted on federal felony charges within this district—many involving racketeering or murder—as reported by the official website.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office maintains offices in Brooklyn and Central Islip per its official website. Breon Peace leads the office as United States Attorney according to information provided online.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York operates as the designated federal prosecutor’s office for this region handling both criminal prosecutions and civil matters representation according to its official website.
