Long Island DA reveals 3 twisted ‘rules’ that made MS-13 a plague in the suburbs
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney recently discussed the impact of MS-13 on Long Island and the efforts to combat this dangerous gang. According to Tierney, MS-13 stands out among migrant gangs due to its focus on violence and murder as a means of gaining prestige and respect within the gang. Tierney emphasized that federal agencies, such as the FBI and US Attorney’s Office, played a crucial role in dismantling MS-13 operations in the area.
MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha 13, originated from Salvadoran immigrants who fled civil war in their country in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Initially formed to protect migrants, the gang evolved into a notorious criminal enterprise known for its brutal attacks and violent tactics.
The gang operates based on three rules that mandate death sentences for members who cooperate with police, disrespect the gang, or encounter rival gang members. In New York, MS-13 established a stronghold on Long Island, where they carried out ruthless acts of violence, including the brutal murders of teenagers.
One particularly chilling case involved a gang hanger-on nicknamed “Little Devil,” who was sentenced to 50 years in prison for luring four men to a park where they were brutally killed by MS-13 members. Leniz Escobar, another MS-13 associate, was convicted of multiple murder charges in connection with a heinous crime in 2022.
In another disturbing incident, Alexi Saenz, a former leader of an MS-13 clique, confessed to a series of killings, including the murders of Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, two teenage girls who were brutally beaten and hacked to death in 2016. Additionally, police in Suffolk County discovered severed heads and body parts linked to MS-13 in a Babylon park in March 2024.
While MS-13 remains a significant threat, another migrant gang, Tren de Aragua, has emerged in the New York area. Tren de Aragua has exploited city-funded shelters to recruit members and engage in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, gun trafficking, and robberies. Unlike MS-13, Tren de Aragua focuses more on illicit profits than senseless violence.
Both MS-13 and Tren de Aragua were designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration, leading to nationwide efforts to combat their operations and expel illegal immigrants associated with these gangs.
Overall, the fight against MS-13 and other migrant gangs in New York requires a collaborative effort between local law enforcement and federal agencies to dismantle these criminal enterprises and ensure the safety of communities in the region.
