Page 12 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty to RICO Conspiracy Involving Murder Defendant admits responsibility for the murder of a 17-year-old in Lynn BOSTON – An MS-13 member pleaded guilty on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 in federal court in Boston and admitted to his participation in a 2018 murder in Lynn, Mass. Eliseo Vaquerano Canas, a/k/a “Peligroso,” 21, a national of El Salvador, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy. As part of his guilty plea, Vaquerano Canas admitted that his racketeering activity involved the July 30, 2018 murder of a 17-year-old boy in Lynn. U.S. Senior District Court CHALLENGES | FROM Page 1 to manage the challenges that come with growth and prosperity. We even embraced and shook hands when it was over.” Fast forward to 2021, and Arrigo was delivering the annual address online over the now familiar channels of Zoom, YouTube and Facebook Live. As expected, a good portion of the mayor’s speech addressed the unique challenges Revere and the world have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Arrigo also took time to tout the achievements the City of Revere and his administration have been working on to improve Revere since 2016. “Tonight, as we refl ect on the past, we can also look confidently toward the future,” Arrigo said, “not in spite of – but because of – what the last year has taught us. Revere stands poised to build on the shared values that have brought us together and provide a solid foundation for every person in our city.” The mayor said the hardships of the past year will not thwart the city’s progress and eff orts to pursue decent employment, good health, quality housing and opportunity. “Before we look to the future, however, we must accept, as a community, the truth that this virus that has upended our lives will continue to do so for the foreseeable future,” he said. “Our health depends on all of us to do simple but vital acts like social distancing and wearing a mask. Even as we work to vaccinate our residents, we must remain vigilant and endure the sacrifi ces necessary to protect our neighbors, our families and ourselves.” The City of Revere staff and residents who rose up to meet the challenge of the pandemic Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for June 18, 2021. MS-13 is a transnational street gang operating in Massachusetts and numerous other states, as well as countries such as El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. MS-13 members follow certain core rules and principles, including that members attack and attempt to kill members of rival gangs, and members do not act as informants or cooperate with law enforcement. MS-13 is organized in Massachusetts and elsewhere in the form of “cliques” or smaller groups that operate under the earned special praise from Arrigo. “Undaunted, our city staff rose to every challenge,” he said. “They committed the hours and the energy required to undertake all of the new work that a global pandemic requires, and they have done it now for nearly a year. Every day, I witnessed my colleagues perform tasks that went above and beyond their duties.” Arrigo noted that Revere was one of the fi rst cities in the state to activate an emergency response team to address the challenges of the pandemic. In addition to the city staff , Arrigo thanked the many volunteers, faith-based and nonprofit organizations, school nurses and volunteers who have stepped up to the plate during the crisis. “One person I am compelled to recognize by name is Dr. Nathalee Kong,” said Arrigo. “Less than a year after her appointment as chair of the Board of Health, she was thrown into the middle of a massive public health crisis. We consistently relied on her expertise, advice and judgment to chart our course. In the same way that she provides comfort to so many of our residents in her office on Ocean Ave., Dr. Kong responded with patience and compassion. She has been our most vital connection to trusted medical information.” For the local business community struggling with the pandemic, Arrigo touted the economic development team that helped provide over 100 emergency small business grants. And with Revere facing some of the highest unemployment rates in Massachusetts, Arrigo said, the administration worked with area leaders to create Revere Works, off ering workforce development opportunities throughout the community. Outside the pandemic eff orts, larger mantle of MS-13. Vaquerano Canas was a member of the Sykos Locos Salvatrucha clique of MS-13. Court documents showed that Vaquerano Canas had “homeboy” status in MS-13, which is generally achieved by committing a signifi cant act of violence. Vaquerano Canas was indicted in federal court in 2018 following an investigation into the murder of a teenage boy whose body was found in a Lynn park on Aug. 2, 2018. The injuries to the victim’s body indicated that the victim had been stabbed dozens of times. As part of his Arrigo highlighted many of the eff orts made to streamline city government and City Hall operations. In addition to continued expansion of the 311 information system, and the necessity of moving to almost exclusively online meeting formats due to COVID-19, Arrigo announced the launch of Engage Revere. The online tool will allow residents to frequently share their feedback with the City of Revere on a broad range of topics, Arrigo stated. Arrigo pointed out how development has continued in the city over the past year, even under challenging circumstances. Amazon began operations at the former Necco site on American Legion Highway and quickly became the city’s leading private employer, providing hundreds of new jobs and millions of dollars in new commercial tax revenue, he said. At Suff olk Downs, Arrigo said, shovels are on the ground and noticeable construction should be underway by the end of 2021. He also mentioned the opening of new hotels on Revere Beach Parkway and the American Legion Highway and construction of a third new hotel abutting the Wonderland T station. “In a matter of months, the south end of Revere Beach Boulevard and Ocean Avenue will become home to new residents and a new restaurant … that will bring life back to a stretch of property that sits just steps away from the ocean,” Arrigo said. “And shortly, I will submit to the City Council a Master Plan for the transformation of the city’s RiverFront District. This underutilized section of the city will be revived by development that includes upgrades to Gibson Park, the establishment of a community boating center and the redevelopment of a former guilty plea, Vaquerano Canas admitted that on or about July 30, 2018, he participated in that murder while a member of the MS-13 gang. Vaquerano Canas faces a sentence of up to life in prison. He will also be subject to deportation upon the completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau tow yard. The RiverFront project will include innovative technology to address area fl ooding and traffi c while creating recreational space in an area long overlooked.” On the housing front, Arrigo said his administration has continued eff orts to aid vulnerable homeowners and renters. “This year we will propose the formation of an Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund to coordinate sustained public and private resources and support critically important aff ordable housing programs and services for all residents,” he said. Arrigo said the city will continue to strengthen its workforce development plans in the coming year, as well as continuing to prioritize economic development programs that give small business owners the opportunity to originate and grow in Revere. “We will build out a citywide food truck program to engage local entrepreneurs and activate public spaces – spaces that will be host to additional COVID-safe community events and outdoor seating this summer,” Arrigo said. “And with state funding, we will develop economic recovery strategies for our Broadway Business District. In addition to focusing on local issues, Arrigo spoke of how Revere has begun to address some of the larger divisions impacting the country. “As we strive to lay the groundwork for an equitable recovery from this public health and economic crisis, we bear witness to raw and bitter divisiveness across our country,” he said. “Revere is not immune to these challenges, but we are committed to assuring all our residents that unity in our city is not just a spoken ideal, but it is our never-ending purpose. And we will conof Investigation, Boston Field Division; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Acting Boston Police Commissioner Gregory Long; and Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary made the announcement. The remaining defendants in this case are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. tinue to take action to promote these values.” Last year, the city re-established its Human Rights Commission and the school system’s Equity Advisory Board helped the schools focus on increasing diversity among staff and helped ensure access to highquality course work for all students. Near the end of his address, Arrigo took a moment to address the city’s students and parents, who have faced a year of educational uncertainty. “I know that so many of you have suff ered greatly over the last year,” he said. “And while the anger and anxiety that surrounds remote learning continues to hang over our heads, I am here tonight to say that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In partnership with [Superintendent] Dr. [Dianne] Kelly, our School Committee and the Revere Teachers Association, I want you to know that we will do everything in our power to get our kids back into their classrooms where they belong – because we can all agree that our students deserve the best, and as each day passes, it is getting safer and safer to make this happen.” Arrigo rounded out his speech by continuing to focus on the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. “There will be a new day when we will again share smiles and hugs and all of our favorite pastimes,” he said. “There will be gatherings of friends and family – and celebrations – lots of celebrations. There also will come a day when we will unveil a suitable memorial where our community can stand together to honor those we have lost to this pandemic. Our collective perseverance, our good will and our courage will see us through.”
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