Jairo Saenz, MS-13 Gang Member, Pleads Guilty to 7 Murders, New York 2024

Central Islip, New York - In a shocking turn of events, Jairo Saenz, a high-ranking member of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, has pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in connection with his participation in seven murders.

The victims include Michael Johnson, Oscar Acosta, Kayla Cuevas, Nisa Mickens, Javier Castillo, Dewann Stacks, and Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla. Saenz also pleaded guilty to his participation in three attempted murders, arson, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and a conspiracy to kill Marcus Bohannon.

The guilty plea proceeding was held before United States District Judge Gary R. Brown. When sentenced, Jairo Saenz faces up to 60 years in prison, and a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison under the terms of his plea agreement.

Carolyn Pokorny, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Robert E. Waring, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the guilty plea.

'Today, Jairo Saenz pleaded guilty to seven murders that can only be described as barbaric, and multiple acts of senseless gang violence that had turned parts of Long Island into a war zone, with MS-13 gang members wielding guns, machetes, bats and fire that threatened the safety of our communities,' stated Acting United States Attorney Pokorny.

According to court filings and statements made during today's guilty plea proceeding, Jairo Saenz was a high-ranking member of the Brentwood/Central Islip chapter of the Sailors clique of the MS-13.

At the time, he was second in command to his brother, Alexi Saenz, who pleaded guilty to the same crimes on July 10, 2024. Jairo Saenz committed the following crimes in order to maintain and increase his membership and status within the gang, and to further the mission of the MS-13.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Jairo Saenz

Criminal Charges: Racketeering, Murder, Attempted Murder, Arson, Narcotics Trafficking, Firearms Offenses, Conspiracy

City and State: Central Islip, New York

Exact Date: January 28, 2016 (murder of Michael Johnson) to January 30, 2017 (murder of Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla)

Sentence or Outcome: Jairo Saenz faces up to 60 years in prison, and a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison under the terms of his plea agreement.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/high-ranking-ms-13-gang-member-pleads-guilty-seven-murders-multiple-attempted-murders