MS-13 leader sentenced to 68 years for involvement in eight Long Island murders, including the ordering of two teenage girls’ killings.
A significant ruling was made recently in Long Island, where Alexi Saenz, a high-ranking member of the MS-13 gang, received a sentence of 68 years in prison for his involvement in a series of violent crimes, including the murders of eight individuals. His actions, particularly the 2016 murders of two teenage girls, Kayla Cuevas, 16, and Nisa Mickens, 15, were reportedly orchestrated as retaliation following a brawl at Brentwood High School. This crime wave, spanning 2016 and 2017, inflicted considerable fear across the community, according to federal prosecutors.
The sentencing occurred in a federal court overseen by Judge Gary Brown, with the victims’ families present to witness the proceedings. Saenz had previously pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, acknowledging his role in the heinous murders that shocked the region.
The murders of Cuevas and Mickens were particularly brutal. Federal prosecutors explained that Saenz and his brother, Julio, sanctioned the killings after the girls had a confrontation with MS-13 members just days prior. Gang affiliates, motivated by the rivalry, targeted the unsuspecting teenagers with baseball bats and a machete, leading to the horrific deaths of both girls. The aftermath of this violence left enduring scars on the families and community, notably illustrated by the poignant presence of Nisa’s mother in the courtroom, who brought her daughter’s ashes to pay tribute.
Prosecutors emphasized the unprecedented nature of the violence associated with Saenz’s leadership within the gang’s Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside clique, labeling it the most violent faction of MS-13 in the United States. In their appeal for a 70-year sentence, they highlighted Saenz’s continuous involvement in criminality, even after his guilty plea, detailing attempts to smuggle prohibited items into a federal detention facility.
Defense attorney Natali Todd argued for a lesser sentence, contending that Saenz was not solely responsible for authorizing the murders and pointing to his challenging upbringing in El Salvador. Despite these arguments, Saenz’s impact on the community and the resulting tragedies were underscored by U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, who reaffirmed the commitment of law enforcement agencies to seek accountability for MS-13 and the widespread suffering it has caused.
In a related note, the prospect of the death penalty for Saenz and his brother was initially pursued but was later rescinded by the current attorney general, Merrick Garland, underscoring a broader change in federal prosecutorial strategies regarding capital punishment.
As the community continues to heal from the violent legacy left behind, the sentencing serves as a moment of closure for many families, even as it emphasizes the ongoing challenges posed by gang violence in the region.
