In a case that captured national attention, Jairo Saenz, a 28-year-old leader of the violent MS-13 gang, pleaded guilty on January 14, 2025, to federal racketeering charges involving seven murders. His crimes terrorized New York’s Long Island suburbs, leaving communities devastated and families grieving.
Saenz, second-in-command of the MS-13 clique known as Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside, admitted to a reign of terror that included gruesome acts of violence. Among the victims were Nisa Mickens, 15, and Kayla Cuevas, 16—high school friends whose brutal 2016 murders shocked the nation. The teens were ambushed and attacked with a machete and a baseball bat as they walked through a quiet Brentwood neighborhood.
Other victims included Javier Castillo, a 15-year-old lured to his death in a secluded park, and Oscar Acosta, 19, whose remains were found months after his disappearance. Older victims, like Michael Johnson and Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla, were also targeted in the gang’s campaign of violence, aimed at asserting dominance and silencing rivals.
Saenz’s guilty plea includes a 40-to-60-year prison sentence. While some victims’ families expressed relief at seeing justice served, others lamented that the sentence was not harsher. “It’s some justice, but not what I wanted,” said George Johnson, father of one of the victims.
Acting U.S. Attorney Carolyn Pokorny described Saenz’s crimes as “barbaric” and expressed hope that his conviction would bring solace to grieving families.
This high-profile case highlights the devastating impact of gang violence on communities and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight to combat gang influence and protect vulnerable neighborhoods.
