The Newark bureau of the FBI is hoping the public can help find an alleged MS-13 gang member who they say was involved in a Plainfield Murder over five years ago.
Walter Yovany Gomez was last seen in Maryland on June 13, 2011, two months after he and another member of the MS-13 gang allegedly murdered a fellow gang member inside a Plainfield home. The victim was stabbed 17 times in the back and had his throat cut.
"[Gomez] is charged with having allegedly murdered one of his friends who had supposedly been seen socializing with an opposition gang member," says Special Agent Daniel Brunner.
When the Union County Prosecutor's Office attempted to question Gomez about the murder, he apparently escaped out of his back window and fled to Maryland.
"The possibilities are that he could be in Spain. He could still be in the Maryland area, as well as he could have returned here to New Jersey," Brunner says.
While Gomez remains at large, 13 members of his associated in Plainfield were arrested for racketeering charges. Five of them pleaded guilty, while the other eight were found guilty in court on June 1.
"[Gomez] is the lone remaining defendant out there and it is our full intent to track him down and bring him to justice," says Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher.
The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Gomez's arrest. Officials consider him to be armed and dangerous.
Anyone who might have any information about Gomez's whereabouts is urged to call the Newark Bureau of the FBI at 973-792-3000.