Two MS-13 gang members, including the alleged leader of the Somerville clique, were sentenced to heavy stints in prison for crimes surrounding the 2010 murder of a 28-year-old man in Chelsea.

U.S. District Court Senior Judge William G. Young sentenced Jose “Cholo” Vasquez, who also goes by “Little Crazy,” 31, of Somerville, to 25 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Vasquez is already serving a 17-year and 8-month sentence for a separate 2018 federal conviction.

Young also sentenced William “Humilde” Pineda Portillo, 31, to 16 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Pineda Portillo, a noncitizen illegally living in Everett, is subject to deportation back to his home nation of El Salvador after his sentence.

Each man pleaded guilty to racketeering enterprise conspiracy, or RICO, charges that were brought last September as the third indictment in a sweeping MS-13 case first opened in 2017. The charges also connect them to the Dec. 18, 2010, murder in Chelsea of Joaquin Aguilar, of Allston. “Murder” is usually a state-level charge, so federal prosecutors often, as they did here, case it as violence related to RICO activity.

Federal authorities first connected Pineda Portillo to the planning of the murder and then connected Vasquez — who prosecution witnesses have described as the leader of the Trece Loco Salvatrucha (TLS) MS-13 clique in Somerville — to it as well, adding that unlike Pineda Portillo, Vasquez personally contributed to the 12 stab wounds Aguilar suffered.

Chelsea Police responded to 6th Street a little after 7 that December evening where they found Aguilar still conscious but bleeding from 12 stab wounds to his head and chest. He would be pronounced dead at Massachusetts General Hospital. Police tracked his blood trail to the site of the violence: under the Fifth Street on-ramp to Route 1 southbound in Chelsea.

“What these men allegedly did to their victims was particularly heinous — so much so that, over a decade later, the circumstances still stand out,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the Boston FBI when announcing this and another murder-connected indictment in the MS-13 case.

MS-13, also known as La Mara Salvatrucha, has deep roots in El Salvador but has transnational operations with cliques pushing its reach throughout the U.S. and other countries like Honduras and Guatemala, according to court filings. Prosecutors say it is known as particularly violent, using “murder, assault, extortion, kidnapping, obstruction of justice and drug trafficking” to further its nefarious business.

A former employee with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has been accused of smuggling K2-laced papers to a federal inmate.

Bridgewater woman Tasha Hammock, 43, is being charged with providing contraband to FMC Devens inmate Raymond Gaines, 45 — who had been granted clemency by President Joe Biden in the final days of his term in January.

Gaines, whose 2022 federal prison sentence for drug distribution had been cut, has now been indicted by a federal grand jury with possessing contraband by a prison inmate.

K2, a synthetic cannabinoid, has been a reported health problem at FMC Devens and other facilities. Inmates have become sick from smoking paper believed to contain K2, as well as prison staff who have been exposed to the secondary smoke.

Hammock was a program coordinator with MassDEP, where she took home more than $84,000 in 2023, according to state payroll records.

According to the feds, Hammock was visiting Gaines in the prison last Aug. 18 when she “surreptitiously passed K2-laced papers to Gaines, which he pocketed.”

Hammock also allegedly previously handled money connected with the distribution of K2 to Gaines in FMC Devens, and she allegedly received K2 at her residence for distribution into the prison.

Court records allege that law enforcement obtained a phone that had been smuggled to an inmate in the prison (“Inmate A”).

In September 2023, Inmate A allegedly sent messages on the cell phone to another person (“Person 1”), discussing obtaining K2 in prison.

Inmate A allegedly told Person 1 that the drugs could be delivered to a particular address in Bridgewater — later determined to be Hammock’s residence — and that Inmate A’s “co” would arrange for the drugs to be brought into the prison from there.

On Monday at 2:07 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a flood watch valid from noon until Tuesday midnight for Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties.

The weather service states, “Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.”

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas,” describes the weather service. “You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”

Understanding the differences between advisories, watches, and warnings

• Flash flood warning: Take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood-prone area, move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

• Flood warning: Take action!

A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

• Flood advisory: Be aware:

A flood advisory is released when flooding is not expected to reach a severity level necessitating a warning. Nonetheless, it can still cause considerable inconvenience and, without exercising caution, potentially lead to situations that threaten life and/or property.

• Flood watch: Be prepared:

A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It doesn’t guarantee that flooding will occur, but it signifies that the possibility exists.

Staying safe during a flood: Recommendations from the weather service

Floods can pose a significant threat, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or find yourself camping in a low-lying region. To ensure your safety, the weather service offers essential flood safety guidelines:

Seek higher ground:

If you’re in a flood-prone area, or if you’re camping in a low-lying spot, move to higher ground as a first step.

Follow evacuation orders:

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, heed it promptly. Prior to leaving, secure your home by locking it.

Disconnect utilities and appliances:

If time permits, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.

Avoid basements and submerged areas:

Steer clear of basements or rooms where water has submerged electrical outlets or cords. This helps prevent electrical accidents.

Swift evacuation for your safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping noises, evacuate immediately. Avoid any water that may be charged with electricity.

Refrain from walking in floodwaters:

Never attempt to walk through floodwaters, even if they appear shallow. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can forcefully sweep you off your feet.

Seek high ground if trapped:

Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.

During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Never drive through water on the road, even if it does not appear to be deep. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, according to the weather service. Stay safe by being prepared and informed.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of swollen waterways:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Adhere to the two-second rule for maintaining a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.

Slow down and drive with care:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.

Visibility matters:

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Watch out for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
• When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce risks and ensure your well-being when heavy rain pours down. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed advice from local authorities to make your journey safe and sound.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.