FREDERICK, Md. – A 24-year-old Maryland woman has been convicted in the 2023 murder of an 18-year-old Gaithersburg woman, a killing authorities say was orchestrated by the notorious MS-13 gang, Montgomery County prosecutors announced.
Conviction Details
Iris Alonzo-Salgado, of Frederick, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and participating in a criminal organization resulting in death. The verdict was delivered following a bench trial presided over by Judge Theresa Chernosky in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.
Alonzo-Salgado waived her right to a jury trial, opting for a bench trial. She now faces the possibility of two life sentences plus 25 additional years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 21, 2026.
The Crime
Authorities said the murder involved Alonzo-Salgado and three others, targeting Rosa Sanchez Merino, whose remains were discovered in September 2023 in a wooded area along Brookeville Road in Olney.
Investigators determined the teen had been transported from New Jersey to Maryland in May 2023. Once in Maryland, Sanchez Merino was taken into the woods, gagged, and forced to kneel before being stabbed to death with a machete. Her body was buried in a shallow grave, where it remained for approximately four months before discovery.
The Montgomery County Police Department stated the murder was carried out under orders from the MS-13 gang, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal organization, as per the reports.
Co-Defendants and Legal Proceedings
Alonzo-Salgado was one of four individuals charged in connection with the murder:
- Roberto Carlos Rivera-Delgado, arrested in Nevada in September 2023, later extradited to Maryland. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, conspiracy, and gang participation, and is currently awaiting sentencing. Rivera-Delgado also led detectives to the burial site.
- Aracely Abarca-Melgar, 21, of Manchester, New Hampshire, is awaiting trial.
- A fourth co-defendant, who was a minor at the time of the crime, has not been publicly identified.
The arrests of Alonzo-Salgado, Abarca-Melgar, and the juvenile suspect followed closely after Rivera-Delgado’s apprehension.
Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Comments
Assistant State’s Attorneys Teresa Casafranca and Gabriel Carrera handled the prosecution. In a statement, they praised the work of the Montgomery County Police Gang Unit and Major Crimes Division, highlighting the dedication and thoroughness of the investigation.
“This was a crime of unimaginable cruelty,” the prosecutors said. “We are committed to ensuring that all those responsible face justice.”
Community Impact
The case has drawn attention to the ongoing threat posed by gang-related violence in Montgomery County. Officials stress that the investigation and subsequent prosecutions send a strong message that violent crimes, particularly those orchestrated by gangs like MS-13, will be met with the full force of the law.
What are your thoughts on the recent conviction in this horrific gang-related murder? Do you believe justice is being served for victims of gang violence? Share your opinions in the comments below.
