Jonathan Leon-Chacon, 28, of Silver Spring, was sentenced Friday to 75 years in prison for his role in the gangland slaying of Willians Anderson Alberto Cruz, 19, and the gunfire targeting three other victims.
Leon-Chacon had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and participation in a criminal organization resulting in death. He was the fourth defendant to be convicted and sentenced in this case.
Besides the shooting death of Cruz, Leon-Chacon was sentenced for his role of targeting three victims, two of whom were hit and survived their injuries.
The shooting occurred Nov. 9, 2022 on Colony Road in Silver Spring.
Willians Anderson Alberto Cruz
According to the Montgomery County’s State’s Attorney’s office, the victims were standing around a vehicle and listening to music “when they were suddenly fired upon.”
The victims and defendants did not know each other.
All four defendants were members of the La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, according to Montgomery County Police.
According to court documents, the motive for the shooting was retribution for defaced gang graffiti in the forested area next to the parking lot where the shooting occurred.
Jonathan Leon-Chacon
Junior Del-Cid, 21, of Takoma Park, and Elmer Lopez-Cortez, 25, of Silver Spring, opened fire on the victims because they believed that the group was responsible for defacing the graffiti, according to the State’s Attorney’s office.
Elvin Guzman-Machado and Leon-Chacon waited in the getaway vehicle.
Below is video from a news conference with County State’s Attorney John McCarthy following the sentencing of two other defendants.
