News Releases

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 7, 2016

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department-Major Crimes Division have arrested two suspects for the homicide of 18-year-old Cristian Antonio Villagran-Morales that occurred in the Malcolm King Park located at 1200 West Side Drive in Gaithersburg and that was discovered on June 17. Juan Gutierrez-Vasquez, age 16, of Queen Victoria Court in Gaithersburg, arrested on July 1 in Gaithersburg, and Vanesa Alvarado, age 19, of Lakeworth Drive in Gaithersburg, arrested on July 1 in Gaithersburg, have both been charged with the first-degree murder of Villagran-Morales and both remain in custody on one million-dollar bonds. Gutierrez-Vasquez has been charged as an adult.

There are two additional suspects who are wanted for the homicide of Villigran-Morales: Oscar Ernesto Delgado-Perez, age 27, of an unknown address, and Jose Coreas Ventura, also known as Josue Corea, age 20, of an unknown address. Warrants have been issued for their arrest, charging them with first-degree murder. These suspects should be considered armed and dangerous (see their photographs below).

Detectives consider this homicide to be gang-related; All four suspects are believed to be associated with the criminal gang MS-13, and the two arrested suspects, upon their arrest, stated to detectives that they believed the victim to be a member of a rival gang.

During this murder investigation, detectives determined that the victim had recently met suspect, Alvarado, and that the two had been communicating via telephone. Further investigation revealed that on the night of June 16, the victim planned to meet Alvarado. Detectives believe that the victim met Alvarado that evening in an anticipation of a sexual encounter. Alvarado then lured the victim to the wooded area of the park, where he was stabbed multiple times by the suspects. When Alvarado and Gutierrez-Vasquez were questioned by investigators after their arrest, both suspects made admissions regarding their involvement in the homicide.

Investigators are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the two wanted suspects: Oscar Ernesto Delgado-Perez, age 27, and Jose Coreas Ventura, also known as Josue Corea, age 20, to immediately call the Montgomery County Police Department at 301-279-8000 (24/7 line). To be eligible for a reward, tipsters must call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Callers to Crime Solvers will remain anonymous.

This homicide investigation is ongoing and therefore additional information will not be released at this time.

Note: Gutierrez-Vasquez is a juvenile and therefore his mugshot is not being released.

RLI