Texas woman sentenced for luring man to remote area where MS-13 gang members murdered him

A Houston, Texas, woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison for luring a man to a remote area to be attacked and killed by gang members who allegedly felt the victim disrespected them in a rap battle.

Karla Jackelin Morales, 24, pleaded guilty Friday to charges in connection with the July 29, 2018, murder of 24-year-old Jose Alfonso Villanueva, according to Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. Morales was scheduled to go to trial in October 2021, but she jumped bond and cut off her ankle monitor to escape detection and was arrested in Houston about nine months later.

"This defendant jumped bail in 2021 to escape the consequences of her actions, but she was re-arrested and, on the eve of trial this week, pleaded guilty for what she did," Ogg said in a statement. "This was a premeditated and planned out attack and we have now been able to get justice for the victim’s family."

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Morales lured Villanueva to a field in Spring, Texas, where she told him they would smoke marijuana to celebrate his birthday. But Morales had taken him to the area so five MS-13 gang members waiting there could kill him. The gang members attacked Villanueva with a machete and shot him as he attempted to run away. 

The gang members were allegedly angry at Villanueva because he disrespected them in a rap battle. His body was found about a week after the killing.

"This women knowingly lured an innocent man to be murdered by five MS-13 gang members in the most brutal and depraved manner that you could imagine sending shockwaves and fear throughout the Houston community," Homeland Security Investigations Houston acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kurtz said in a statement. "By working in conjunction with our local law enforcement partners and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, we were able to hold all of the individuals responsible for this horrifying tragedy accountable and hopefully bring some closure to the victim’s family."

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The gang members have all been convicted in Villanueva's murder.

Assistant District Attorney Jason Sanchez, a chief in the district attorney's Organized Crime Division, prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Neha Mehtaji.

"This should be cautionary tale to anyone who thinks they may want to join a gang that it doesn’t matter your age, gender or anything else," Sanchez said in a statement. "We will prosecute you for the crimes you commit."

California man charged with drugging, sexually assaulting 5 women

A California man is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting at least five women across Los Angeles and West Hollywood, according to officials.

Andrey "Cosmo" Nguyen, 37, is charged with seven counts of rape by use of drugs, three counts of sexual penetration by anesthesia or controlled substance, one count of forcible rape, one count of oral copulation by anesthesia or controlled substance, one count of sale/transportation/offer to sell a controlled substance and one count of sexual battery.

Between June 2021 and June 2023, Nguyen allegedly drugged and assaulted women between the ages of 18 and 21, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said Friday in announcing the arrest.

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"The violence and trauma that the five survivors in this case endured is abhorrent and will not be tolerated," Gascón said in a statement. "My office is committed to working tirelessly to prevent sexual assault, support survivors, and hold abusers accountable. We encourage any additional victims of Andrey Thanh Nguyen to come forward."

Nguyen was arrested Wednesday and pleaded not guilty at an arraignment the following day, Gascón said. Bail was set for $1,230,000 and his next court date is scheduled for August 30.

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The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating the case. 

Officials believe there may be additional victims and are asking the public to reach out with information identifying any victims.

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