COLUMBUS – A Columbus man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for his actions as a member of the international criminal gang MS-13, including the murder of a teenager.
Pedro Alfonso “Smokey” Osorio-Flores, 41, took part in the murder of 17-year-old high school student Wilson Villeda in 2015, as well as those of Carlos Serrano-Ramos the same year and the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz, according to U.S. Attorney David DeVillers.
“Osorio-Flores was one of the most active, loyal, and violent MS-13 members in Columbus, and he was engaged in nearly every aspect of the gang’s criminal activity in this district. For this defendant, 40 years could very well be a life sentence. His appalling conduct deserves nothing less,” DeVillers said.
Osorio-Flores is one of 23 members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus charged in 2018 in a racketeering conspiracy, which includes five murders as well as extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking and other crimes.
The sentencing may be the resolution of DeVillers’ final case as district attorney. He resigned Tuesday.
DeVillers a career criminal prosecutor in the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio before being appointed to the office’s top job by former President Donald Trump.
DeVillers had hoped to say until March but announced his resignation Tuesday following a Justice Department request that all Trump-era U.S. Attorney appointees step down.
“I am committed to support and assist whoever the President and Senate choose to permanently replace me to the best that I can. I encourage that person to be just, apolitical, aggressive and impactful,” he said in a statement released by his office.
DeVillers is best known for leading an investigation into a $60 million bribery probe at the Ohio Statehouse, announcing racketeering charges last summer against five individuals accused of an illegal bailout of aging nuclear power plants.
The probe resulted in charges against former Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder and four cronies.
DeVillers also over saw the indictment of three Cincinnati city councilmembers.