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Virginia
MS-13 gang member found guilty of several murders in Northern Virginia
MS-13 gang member accused of killing at least 5 people in Northern Virginia found guilty
An MS-13 gang member has been found guilty of killing multiple people in Northern Virginia following a two-week trial in federal court. Jurors returned their verdict in less than four hours on Monday, finding Elmer Alas Candray guilty on 14 counts, including the murders of five people in Fairfax County from 2018 to 2022.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – An MS-13 gang member has been found guilty of killing multiple people in Northern Virginia following a two-week trial in federal court.
Jurors returned their verdict in less than four hours on Monday, finding Elmer Alas Candray guilty on 14 counts, including the murders of five people in Fairfax County from 2018 to 2022.
Closing arguments began Monday morning in U.S. District Court in Alexandria and jurors were given the case just before 1 p.m., returning with unanimous guilty verdicts around 4 p.m.
Candray, 27, is originally from El Salvador. Several parts of this trial were conducted in Spanish and translated.
Federal court documents describe the gruesome killings which included stabbings, shootings, limbs being cut off and discarded or buried.
Trial underway for alleged MS-13 gang member accused in 6 murders across Fairfax County
The victims range in age from a 19-year-old waitress in Fairfax shot sixteen times in the face after making a social media video disparaging MS-13 to a 42-year-old fellow gang member. Five victims were in Northern Virginia, one was in Massachusetts.
Elmer Alas Candray, 27, of El Salvador. Photo via Rappahannock Regional Jail
FOX 5 covered one of the deaths extensively — 24-year-old Jose Guillen Mejia, a father whose body was found in 2019 in the woods off a walking trail in Reston.
At the time, Fairfax County police did not believe his death was gang-related. But according to prosecutors, Mejia was simply the first person that Candray and his associates saw in the woods, in an area they considered their turf, so they shot him multiple times and killed him.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 30, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia sent FOX 5 the following statement:
“This case is a stark reminder of the violence and disregard for human life inherent in MS-13’s criminal enterprise. Their deadly activities, from flooding our streets with dangerous narcotics to the brutal murders by which they attempt to impose their presence, will not go unchecked. Their crimes will be met with the full attention and resources of this office and our law enforcement partners.”
Watch CBS News
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Four new trollies will join the VB Wave Trolley fleet beginning May 10, when Virginia Beach Wave Trolley will resume its seasonal service along the oceanfront.
Trolley season lasts through September 25-27 for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.
A total of 14 new trollies will be part of the fleet this year, gradually replacing the older versions. The 29-foot trolley replica buses seat 29 people and feature wooden seats, with “sky-blue and sand-colored brown exterior,” according to Hampton Roads Transit (HRTS). Last year, 281,507 riders used the trolley system.
“This year marks the 42nd season of the VB Wave trolley, and these new trollies will provide a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride for visitors and locals alike,” William E. Harrell said. He is the president and CEO of HRT. “As part of our partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, the VB Wave makes it easy for everyone to visit attractions and explore the Oceanfront and beyond without the hassles of parking or the high cost of gas,” Harrell said.
The following routes will operate May 10 through Sept. 27 for the Neptune Festival:
Route 30 is the Atlantic Avenue Trolley, running along the Oceanfront between JT’s Grommet Island Park to Fortieth Street. This service operates daily from 8 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Route 31 is the aquarium and campground trolley along General Booth Boulevard. It runs daily from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 11 through Sept. 27. Route 31 also extends to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street.
Route 35 is the Bayfront Bus, providing service between Parks Avenue and 19th Street and Shore Drive and Pleasure House Road, enabling customers to visit Chesapeake Bay beaches, First Landing State Park, and Bayfront restaurants. It operates daily from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 27 festival
The VB Wave trolley connects to HRT bus lines, Routes 20 and 960, with access to the Newtown Road Light Rail Station and the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Fares are $2 one way or $4.50 for an all-day pass. Kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult. Riders can pay for tickets using HRT’s GoMobile app and a credit card. Riders can create and manage multiple virtual cards and reload value for easy group boarding, and need to have a unique scannable virtual card for boarding. Children are not required to scan a virtual card or pay fare when boarding with an adult.
Customers can also tap to pay using credit and debit cards. KOA Campground, Virginia Gift Shop, nine Sunsations locations, and Ocean Wave Gift Shop sell tickets. Riders can also pay with exact change cash onboard the trolley.
In addition, HRT is introducing a new route in Virginia Beach beginning May 10. The new Route 981 will connect the Amazon Fulfillment Center (ORF 4) at 1795 Dam Neck Road with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Route 33 service is being restored to Atlantic Avenue and 68th Street 365 days a year to support the oceanfront hospitality industry.
Virginia
PHOTOS: Virginia Beach Police investigate firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach Police are at the scene of a firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments Saturday afternoon, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department also confirmed there are no shooting victims at this time.
10 On Your Side is at the scene and working to gather more information about the situation.
10 On Your Side will update this story when more information is available.
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