MS-13 Member Sentenced to 27 Years for Murder on Long Island
Long Island, NY – In a devastating case of gang violence, William Castellanos, also known as “Dizzy” and “Satanico,” a member of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, a violent transnational criminal organization, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the murder of 16-year-old Jonathan Cardona-Hernandez on Long Island.
The sentencing took place on February 28, 2018, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, after Castellanos pleaded guilty to firearms-related murder charges in connection with the June 30, 2015 murder of Cardona-Hernandez.
According to the court documents, Castellanos and two MS-13 co-conspirators targeted Cardona-Hernandez because they suspected that he was associated with a rival gang, known as “L-Block.” The shooters drove Cardona-Hernandez to the vicinity of Nicoll Avenue and Messina Street in Central Islip, where Castellanos approached him from behind and shot him multiple times with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
The co-conspirators then took turns shooting Cardona-Hernandez with a second 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Cardona-Hernandez was struck by at least 10 bullets and was found dead in the street.
“Castellanos brutally murdered Jonathan Cardona-Hernandez simply because he believed Cardona-Hernandez was a member of a rival gang,” stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue. “With today’s sentence, Castellanos will pay for this senseless crime. The defendant’s conviction and punishment reflect the commitment of this Office and our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate, prosecute and dismantle MS-13 and any other gang that terrorizes our communities.”
Castellanos was a member of the Karlington Locos Salvatruchas clique of MS-13, based in Central Islip, and had risen to the position of leader by the time of his arrest by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force in May 2016.
Today’s conviction is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of MS-13.
Defendant Information:
* Defendant’s Name: William Castellanos
* Charges: Firearms-Related Murder
* City and State: Central Islip, NY
* Date: June 30, 2015 (crime date), February 28, 2018 (sentencing)
* Sentence: 27 years in prison
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime