Justice has been served in the gang-related death of Miguel Angel Ruiz Carrillo, 18, of Alexandria, who was found dead in Nokesville in 2017.
The victim’s body was discovered in Nokesville Road and Fauquier Drive in Nokesville on August 22, 2017, after he was initially reported missing to Fairfax County Police earlier that month.
Hector Armando Gamez Amaya, 31, was convicted on multiple charges and given a life sentence, as well as an additional 60-year sentence.
A press release from Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth provided additional information.
The jury found Gamez Amaya guilty and recommended a life sentence in addition to 60 years in prison for the following charges:
- One count of First-Degree Murder
- One count of Abduction
- Two counts of Criminal Gang Participation
- One count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder
- One count of Conspiracy to Commit Abduction
- One count of Stabbing in the Commission of a Felony
- One count of Unlawful Concealment of a Body
This is one of the first jury trials the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney has participated in since COVID-19 triggered a Declaration of Judicial Emergency from the Supreme Court of Virginia on March 16th of this year.
Since March, the COVID-19 epidemic has created a sizable backlog of cases for trial and the Courts are working to decrease the backlog by setting one jury trial per week in accordance with the plan approved by the Virginia Supreme Court.
Ashworth offered the following comment about this trial.
“Our office stands committed to prosecuting violent crime, no matter the circumstance. This trial is an example of our dedication to the pursuit of justice in the community,” states Ashworth in a press release.
