At the request of the Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes Against Life and Personal Integrity, through its branch in Escuintla, the Criminal, Drug Activity and Environmental Crimes Court in that department handed down a guilty verdict against Kennedy F., a member of the Barrio 18 gang, for the crime of attempted murder.

Sentence:
16 years and 7 months in prison for acts committed against a food distribution company in Palín, Escuintla.

The Case

According to the investigation, employees of the company received a mobile phone through which they were extorted—gang members demanded money in exchange for allowing the business to operate in the area. The threat: pay up or face violent retaliation.

This led to two armed attacks targeting the company’s workers:

• March 21, 2023
• April 24, 2023

Key Evidence

The Public Ministry established irrefutable proof of Kennedy F.’s responsibility:

• Security camera footage identified a motorcycle driven by the accused.
• A seized cellphone showed communication with a gang leader known as «Payaso», who ordered the attacks.
• Ballistics tests confirmed that the same firearm was used in both shootings.

The sentence was also supported by:

• Witness testimony
• Expert reports
• Investigative findings

Together, they proved the defendant’s direct involvement in the crimes.

Justice Moves Forward

This conviction reinforces the Public Ministry’s unwavering commitment to investigating and prosecuting violent crimes, particularly those carried out by organized gangs that threaten the safety and livelihood of Guatemala’s citizens.

Guatemala, August 26, 2025