Gang Leader’s Guilty Plea Exposes Dark Secrets

Wooden blocks spell out "GUILTY" on wood background.

A high-ranking MS-13 gang member pleads guilty to seven brutal murders, exposing the violent underbelly of New York’s suburbs.

At a Glance

Jairo Saenz, a top MS-13 member, admitted to seven murders and other crimes.
Victims include two schoolgirls, bringing national attention to gang violence.
Saenz faces 40-60 years in prison under the plea agreement.
The case is part of a broader effort to dismantle MS-13 operations.
Victims’ families express disappointment, hoping for life sentences.

MS-13 Leader Confesses to Reign of Terror

In a shocking development that has rocked New York’s suburban communities, Jairo Saenz, a high-ranking member of the notorious MS-13 gang, has pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges linked to seven brutal murders and other violent crimes. The admission comes as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against gang violence that has plagued Long Island neighborhoods.

Saenz, second-in-command to his brother Alexi, admitted to orchestrating a series of heinous acts that terrorized Brentwood and Central Islip. The crimes include the murders of Michael Johnson, Oscar Acosta, Kayla Cuevas, Nisa Mickens, Javier Castillo, Dewann Stacks, and Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla. These cold-blooded killings, along with attempted murders, arson, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses, paint a grim picture of the gang’s ruthless operations.

Man pleads guilty in string of MS-13 killings that stunned New York suburbs https://t.co/A7IgmlUc2z

— KX News (@KXMB) January 15, 2025

Justice Department’s Relentless Pursuit

The guilty plea, entered before Judge Gary R. Brown in federal court in Central Islip, New York, marks a significant victory for law enforcement. Acting U.S. Attorney Carolyn Pokorny, along with FBI and Suffolk County Police Department officials, announced the plea, highlighting the collaborative effort to bring MS-13 members to justice.

“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.

The case against Saenz is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office targeting MS-13, which has resulted in numerous convictions since 2003. This prosecution, conducted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), involves multiple law enforcement agencies working in tandem to dismantle the gang’s operations.

A Community Shaken, Seeking Closure

The brutal murders of high school girls Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas in 2016 brought national attention to MS-13’s violence, prompting then-President Donald Trump to highlight the gang’s brutality and call for stricter immigration policies. The Saenz brothers’ involvement in these killings, aimed at advancing their positions within MS-13’s hierarchy, shocked the community and galvanized law enforcement efforts.

Under the plea agreement, Saenz faces a sentence of 40 to 60 years in prison. While this outcome brings some measure of accountability, it falls short of the life sentences many victims’ families desired. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating gang violence and providing true closure to those who have lost loved ones.

“It was some justice, but not what I wanted,” said George Johnson, father of one of the victims, expressing the mixed emotions felt by many affected families.

A Call for Continued Vigilance

As the community grapples with the aftermath of these crimes, the guilty plea of Jairo Saenz marks a significant step in dismantling MS-13’s operations in New York’s suburbs. However, it also underscores the need for continued vigilance and community-law enforcement cooperation to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The case against the Saenz brothers and their associates serves as a powerful message to gang members and a testament to the resolve of law enforcement agencies in their fight against organized crime. As sentencing approaches, the focus now turns to ensuring that justice is served and that affected communities can begin the long process of healing and rebuilding.