MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney announced that three MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) members pleaded guilty this week to attempted murder charges for a May 2016 incident in which they attacked three teenagers in Hempstead Lake State Park.
Defendant Christian Samuel Rodriguez (AKA Stricto) pleaded guilty before Judge Helene Gugerty to one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a B violent felony). He is expected to be sentenced to nine years in prison and five years’ post release supervision on February 13.
Defendant Gerson Stanley Juarez (AKA Angel Black) pleaded guilty before Judge Gugerty to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a B violent felony). He is expected to be sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision on February 15.
Defendant Evilson Edgardo Orellana (AKA Spider) pleaded guilty on Monday before Judge Gugerty to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (a B violent felony) and is expected to be sentenced to eight years in jail and five years’ post release supervision on February 8.
“MS-13 has terrorized our immigrant communities, killed innocent people and relentlessly targeted pre-teens for recruitment,” DA Singas said. “Three high school students were simply in the park to play soccer when these vicious gang members assaulted them with machetes in an unprovoked attack. My office will use every resource at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle MS-13 in Nassau County.”
DA Singas said on May 23, 2016, three teenagers were walking in Hempstead Lake State Park when they were approached by a group of MS-13 members who then proceeded to physically attack them. Before the attack started, the gang members were yelling at the teenagers, saying “La Mara,” and making hand signs that are representative of the MS-13 gang, such as devil horns and the letters “M” and “S.”
During the attack, Orellana pursued one of the victims while holding a machete and slashed him, causing a serious lower back wound. Juarez pursued two of the other victims and slashed them in the back – causing open, gaping wounds. Rodriguez was also identified as part of the group who physically assaulted the victims.
Three additional defendants previously pleaded guilty to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree for their roles in the assault.
Assistant District Attorneys Michelle Lewisohn and Gregory Murphy of DA Singas’ Special Operations Narcotics and Gangs Bureau prosecuted this case. Orellana is represented by Mindy Plotkin, Esq., Rodriguez is represented by Ed Galison, Esq. and Juarez is represented by Greg Madey, Esq.
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