Carlos Humberto Aquino-Hernandez, MS-13 Gang Members, New York 2023

An 11-count indictment unsealed on October 4, 2023 in federal court in Central Islip charges Carlos Humberto Aquino-Hernandez, also known as “Caprichoso” and “Flaco,” and Gerson Hernandez, also known as “Steven Jefferson,” “Jeffrey,” “Serio,” “Serioso” and “Necio,” with multiple racketeering offenses in connection with two murders, a narcotics trafficking conspiracy, as well as with related charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, firearms offenses, and narcotics trafficking offenses.

According to the indictment, the two men allegedly committed the two murders in furtherance of the MS-13 enterprise with all the gang’s hallmarks of senseless, brutal violence that endangers the entire community as evinced by unleashing gunfire outside a McDonald’s in broad daylight near a mother walking with her child.

The indictment alleges that Hernandez and Aquino-Hernandez were members of the Coronados Locos Salvatruchas subgroup and the Hempstead Locos Salvatruchas clique of the MS-13, respectively.

On July 19, 2022, Walter Ochoa was targeted by MS-13 members who suspected him of being a member of a rival street gang. Ochoa’s murder was also committed in retaliation for the killing of an MS-13 member 11 days earlier which the MS-13 blamed on the 18th Street gang. On the evening of July 19, 2022, Ochoa was with another individual in Uniondale Park when they were approached by the defendants and a third MS-13 member, who were armed with a .45 caliber handgun and at least one knife.

After they shot Ochoa to death and stabbed him in the neck and abdomen, the three MS-13 members fled the park. On September 14, 2022, Hernandez and an MS-13 associate were being chased by Hector Valencia Gomez towards a dumpster next to the McDonald’s drive-thru. Hernandez waved over Aquino-Hernandez who was armed with a 9-millimeter handgun. Aquino-Hernandez fired at Gomez, who was running in between cars lined up at the drive-thru.

Gerson Hernandez was arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst at the federal courthouse in Central Islip and was ordered detained pending trial. On October 6, 2023, Carlos Humberto Aquino-Hernandez was ordered removed in custody from the District of Maryland and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department, announced the indictment and charges.

The defendants are charged with multiple racketeering offenses in connection with two murders, a narcotics trafficking conspiracy, as well as with related charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, firearms offenses, and narcotics trafficking offenses. If convicted, they face a maximum of life imprisonment.

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