As reported by Fox News, Alexi Saenz, a notorious leader of the MS-13 gang, has admitted to eight murders and other serious criminal offenses in New York.
Saenz's guilty plea marks a painful resolution for the families of young victims and exposes the extent of gang brutality within the community.
Among the tragic cases linked to Saenz are the murders of Kayla Cuevas, 16, and Nisa Mickens, 15, who were brutally slain in 2016. The attack, which employed bats and a machete, occurred near their school in Brentwood, illustrating the gang's brutal tactics. The girls were targeted in a revenge attack authorized by Saenz following disputes at Brentwood High School.
Alexi Saenz, aged 29, was a prominent leader in the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside faction of MS-13, commonly referred to by nicknames "Blasty" and "Big Homie."
His plea not only concerns the high-profile murders of Cuevas and Mickens but also six additional killings carried out in 2016 and 2017, alongside accusations of arson, firearms offenses, and drug trafficking. The revenue from these criminal activities allegedly supported MS-13's operations.
By pleading guilty, Saenz has avoided a possible death sentence and now faces 40 to 70 years in prison, according to court documents. The severity of the crimes led the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, to describe Saenz's actions as a testament to the broader criminal influence of MS-13 in Suffolk County.
The killings have left an indelible mark on Long Island, an area reeling from the apparent depth of MS-13's influence and the brutal nature of their actions. Over 70 murders since 2010 in the Eastern District of New York have been tied to this notorious gang, prompting a relentless pursuit of justice that has resulted in numerous convictions.
Referenced in the 2018 State of the Union address by then-President Trump, the murders of Cuevas and Mickens were utilized to underscore significant debates on immigration policies and gang violence. Trump specifically pointed to flaws in immigration law that he asserted allowed gang members to enter the United States as minors.
Kayla's mother, following her daughter's death, became a notable anti-gang activist but tragically died in a dispute in 2018. This loss has added to the complex narrative surrounding the ongoing fight against gang-related violence in American suburbs.
The judicial process is still underway for other alleged participants in the gang's violent spree, including Saenz’s brother, Jairo Saenz, who is deemed the second-in-command of the gang and faces pending charges related to similar crimes.
Freddy Cuevolvat, the grieving father of Kayla, expressed a mix of relief and enduring sorrow, hoping for a resolution that brings some degree of closure to the families affected. He remarked on the animalistic and inhumane nature of the crimes committed.
The U.S. Attorney Breon Peace's statement echoed this sentiment, depicting Saenz's crimes as not merely violent but a horrific campaign of bloodshed and chaos.
The ruling on Saenz's charges potentially closes a chapter on a string of violent acts that have terrorized communities and sparked national and political discourse on several fronts. The continued legal proceedings hope to further address and mitigate the extensive criminal undertakings associated with MS-13, reaffirming the community's and the nation's stand against gang violence.
