MS-13 gang member convicted of murdering 20-year-old in 2022 shooting

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — An MS-13 gang member was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2022 execution-style shooting of Edvin Agustin Leon, 20, and another victim, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Sender Emanuel Godoy-Lemus, 22, of Silver Spring, was found guilty on June 18. This was a retrial after his last trial ended in a hung jury. Investigators said the trial lasted over three weeks, and the jury deliberated for almost three days.

Godoy-Lemus faces the possibility of multiple life sentences. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, according to prosecutors.

The conviction comes one day after Carlo Yaque del Cid, 32, of Hyattsville, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus five years for his role in the shooting.

According to investigators, Leon and another victim were led into a wooded area of Northwest Stream Valley Park near the 9000 block of Piney Branch Road.

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Leon was shot and killed, and the second victim was shot multiple times, officials said.

Investigators said the surviving victim pretended to be dead before crawling nearly a quarter-mile through the park and calling out for help until nearby residents called 911.

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An investigation by the Montgomery County Police Department and the FBI determined the shooting was connected to the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, criminal gang.

The State’s Attorney’s Office said two higher-ranking MS-13 members gave guns to three lower-ranking gang members and directed them to kill both victims.

Godoy-Lemus was also convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder for the shooting of the second victim, two counts of use of a firearm, and participation in a criminal organization resulting in death.

Three others were also arrested as part of this investigation.

Edgard Castro-Contreras was sentenced to life in prison plus 52 years in 2025. Another, Brayan Bonilla-Andrade, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, while the last defendant, Jonathan Videz Martinez, is still awaiting trial.