Purported gang leader charged with approving Boston killings

BOSTON – The purported leader of a violent gang with roots in Central America has been charged with authorizing the killings of two Boston teenagers.

Federal prosecutors on Monday announced that 25-year-old Oscar “Demente” Duran has been charged in a superseding indictment of approving the killings of 15-year-old Wilson Martinez in September 2015 and 16-year-old Christofer Perez de la Cruz in January 2016.

Prosecutors allege Duran, an El Salvador national who was living in East Boston, is the U.S. leader of clique associated with the MS-13 gang, also known as La Mara Salvatrucha.

Several other alleged gang members have been charged with carrying out the two killings.

Duran has been held without bail since his arrest in January 2016.

Duran’s lawyer said he had no comment on the new charges.