Leader of La Familia gang sentenced to 45 years in federal prison
Víctor J. Pérez Fernández admitted participation in the murder of Sgt. Eliezer Ramos Vélez as part of a plea deal on narcotics conspiracy and firearm charges.
PhotoThe short version
- El Vocero reported Víctor J. Pérez Fernández known as La Cone Vitu Vitikin or Enano was sentenced to 45 years or 540 months by Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán
- Primera Hora reported the sentence was above the 29-to-34-year range in his plea agreement and that the murder charge carrying the death penalty was dropped
- Both outlets reported Pérez Fernández pleaded guilty in June 2026 to narcotics conspiracy and possessing a firearm to promote drug trafficking
- El Vocero and Primera Hora reported four other men will be sentenced on Friday Oct. 23
Sentencing in federal court
Víctor J. Pérez Fernández was sentenced on Tuesday Oct. 20 in federal court in Hato Rey. El Vocero reported he received 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that activity. The interim U.S. Attorney for Puerto Rico Héctor Ramírez Carbó told reporters the sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán.
Primera Hora reported the sentence was announced by federal prosecutor spokeswoman Lymarie Llovet. According to Primera Hora Pérez Fernández was the leader of the La Familia drug gang and the plea deal avoided a jury trial that could have resulted in the death penalty.
Also on PuertoRico.com: San Juan travel guide
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Nuestra petición busca que los responsables de su asesinato enfrenten las consecuencias completas de sus actos y que no tengan la oportunidad de volver a poner en riesgo a otras familias.
Our translation: Our request seeks that those responsible for his murder face the full consequences of their actions and not have the opportunity to put other families at risk again.
The source's own statement, as quoted by Primera Hora. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Plea agreements and remaining sentencings
Both outlets reported that Pérez Fernández and four other men admitted participation in the killing of Sgt. Eliezer Ramos Vélez as part of their plea agreements. The agreements allow federal sentencing guidelines for murder to be applied even though they pleaded guilty to the narcotics and firearm charges. El Vocero reported the four others are Luis N. Isaac Sánchez known as Chimbo CDobleta or Dobleta Olvin O’Neill Concepción Tapia known as Sinfo Daniel J. López Vega known as Dany and Andiel González Sáez known as Martino. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Friday Oct. 23.
Primera Hora reported the four are also known as the urban music artist CDobleta whose legal name is Luis Nomar Isaac Sánchez Andyel González Sáez Olvin O’neill Concepción Tapia and Daniel López Vega. The outlet noted that six other counts including the murder charge were dropped in the agreement.
Drug trafficking charges
El Vocero reported Pérez Fernández was part of an organization that distributed heroin cocaine crack marijuana and other drugs in public housing complexes including Sabana Abajo Luis Llorens Torres Los Mirtos Lagos de Blasina La Esmeralda El Coral Jardines de Monte Hatillo and nearby sectors. The case was investigated by the FBI.
Primera Hora reported the gang trafficked heroin fentanyl cocaine marijuana Tramadol and Clonazepam from 2021 until their arrests in places such as Sabana Abajo Los Mirtos Lagos de Blasina La Esmeralda El Coral in Carolina and Monte Hatillo and Luis Lloréns Torres in San Juan.
Where the sources differ
El Vocero and Primera Hora agree that Víctor J. Pérez Fernández was sentenced to 45 years on Oct. 20 by Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán after pleading guilty to narcotics conspiracy and a related firearm charge and that he admitted participation in the murder of Sgt. Eliezer Ramos Vélez for sentencing purposes. Both name the same four co-defendants who will be sentenced on Oct. 23. They differ on details of the drug list and locations: El Vocero lists crack and Jardines de Monte Hatillo while Primera Hora includes fentanyl Tramadol Clonazepam and specifies Carolina and San Juan. Primera Hora alone reports the pre-agreed range was 29-34 years the death-penalty murder count was dropped and quotes the victim’s sister. El Vocero attributes information to the interim U.S. Attorney while Primera Hora cites the prosecutor’s spokeswoman.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state when Sgt. Eliezer Ramos Vélez was killed or provide any details about the circumstances of the murder. They do not say when the five men were arrested or give the exact quantities of drugs involved. The articles do not describe what sentences the four remaining defendants may receive or whether any cooperation agreements exist. No information is given on the current status of the investigation into other possible members of the organization.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Sentencian a 45 años de prisión a implicado en asesinato del sargento Eliezer Ramos Vélez
- Reporting Sentencian al líder de la ganga La Familia, responsable del asesinato del policía Eliezer Ramos Vélez en Carolina
How we checked this
El Vocero and Primera Hora both reported the sentencing of Víctor J. Pérez Fernández the plea details and the upcoming sentencings of the four co-defendants. The quote from the victim’s sister and the specific pre-agreed sentencing range rest solely on Primera Hora. The full list of locations and drugs varies between the two outlets with each including some details the other omitted.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.