Major Crackdown on MS-13 Gang Activity in Nassau County
A significant law enforcement operation in Nassau County has led to the arrest of nearly 40 suspected members of the MS-13 gang. The individuals, notorious for their violent actions, face various charges including attempted murder, weapon possession, and drug-related offenses.
Among those apprehended are five young adults believed to be affiliated with the Hempstead Locos Salvatruchas faction of MS-13. They are linked to a brutal machete and knife assault that injured six individuals during a daylight soccer match at Kennedy Memorial Park in October of last year.
Details from authorities revealed that one victim endured severe injuries, necessitating the removal of his gallbladder and surgical repairs to his diaphragm and liver.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized the importance of removing dangerous criminals from local communities, asserting the county’s commitment to maintaining safety.
Elias Wilfredo Serrano Bonilla, 21, is identified as a purported leader of the gang and faces multiple charges including eight counts of attempted murder stemming from the violent soccer match incident. He reportedly arrived in the U.S. illegally prior to 2016 and has a prior arrest record for assault.
Other individuals implicated in the attack include Edras Daniel Velasquez Giron, 19, Jeffrey Bladimir Valladares Archaga, 20, and Pedro Martinez Velasquez, 18, who are also facing serious charges. Both Giron and Archaga, originally from Honduras, entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.
In a separate incident last December, Bonilla and his accomplices allegedly engaged in another violent encounter where they attacked two individuals outside a laundromat, utilizing machetes and metal pipes.
Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly highlighted the longstanding violent history of MS-13 in New York, particularly on Long Island, where gang members have instilled fear in communities for years.
This recent operation follows an uptick in gang violence in Nassau County, with police reporting increased gang conflicts, particularly between MS-13 and rival 18th Street gang members over minor disputes.
Additionally, other gangs, such as the Trinitarios, have also established a presence in the region, known for their violent history, including a widely publicized case involving a mistaken identity murder in 2018.
Nassau police are determined to address the rising gang violence, with efforts intensified during the recent two-week operation. Authorities noted concerning events such as a recent initiation-related shooting involving a 17-year-old.
Sgt. John Schmitt shared insights from patrols in Hempstead, describing the complexities of gang rivalries and the prevalence of weapons among gang members. During a recent operation, police arrested individual Joel Elvin Paulino El DeJesus, believed to be a member of the Trinitarios, for possession of cocaine in a high-risk area recently associated with violent incidents.
The ongoing enforcement activities represent a broader strategy to tackle gang-related issues in Nassau County, highlighting the critical need for community safety and law enforcement collaboration.
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