Thirteen MS-13 gang members face a 41-count federal indictment for their alleged roles in the 2016 murders of three Brentwood High School students. The charges, unsealed in Central Islip, New York, include racketeering, murder, attempted murder, and related firearms offenses.
Among those indicted are ALEXI SAENZ, JAIRO SAENZ, SELVIN CHAVEZ, ENRIQUE PORTILLO, ELMER ALEXANDER LOPEZ, and GERMAN CRUZ, who are charged with the murder of Nisa Mickens, Kayla Cuevas, and Jose Pena. The indictment also names two juvenile MS-13 members in the Cuevas and Mickens case and another for Pena’s murder.
Investigators recovered an arsenal of weapons, including a loaded 9mm handgun and numerous rounds of ammunition, during searches at the homes of MS-13 leaders. Additionally, they seized marijuana, ledgers, and gang paraphernalia.
United States Attorney Robert L. Capers emphasized the gang’s role in spreading terror in communities: “The brutal murders of Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas exemplify the depravity of a gang whose primary mission is murder.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr., vowed to stamp out gang violence: “Whether you live in Brentwood or the Hamptons, you have a right to safety and security in your neighborhood. That’s why we’re here today and it’s the reason we’re not going away.”
The Suffolk County Police Department committed to justice for the families of the victims: “Today, in responding to these heinous crimes, we are one step closer to delivering justice to those who lost their lives,” stated a department spokesperson.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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