17-year-old MS-13 member pleads guilty in quadruple homicide

<p>An MS-13 gang member pleaded guilty in a Central Islip courtroom Monday to taking part in a quadruple homicide last year.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 20, 2018, 6:17 PM

Updated 2,080 days ago

Share:

An MS-13 gang member pleaded guilty in a Central Islip courtroom Monday to taking part in a quadruple homicide last year.
Josue Portillo, 17, admitted that he stabbed at least one of the four victims after the gang lured him to a Central Islip park last April, when he was 15. 
"We tricked the victims so they would go into the woods, so they would be murdered," Portillo said, adding that the gang used promises of marijuana to help coax their victims to the place they would die.
He said that he and another gang member stabbed 20-year-old Michael Banegas Lopez to death.
The other victims included Jefferson Villalobos, Jorge Tigre and Justin Llivicura. Other gang members used machetes, a knife, sticks and an axe to kill them, Portillo said.
He said the gang spent weeks planning their deaths because they believed they were members of a rival gang.
"I will forever suffer the pain knowing how senseless these murders were," Portillo said in a prepared statement. "None of the victims deserved to die."
He pleaded guilty to a federal racketeering charge. He faces up to life in prison at his sentencing in January.
Prosecutors said that had Portillo's case gone to trial, they had strong evidence against him — including cellphone records that place him in the park at the time of the slayings and text messages between him and female MS-13 members who allegedly helped lure the victims into the park. They also have the testimony from a fifth victim, who survived the attack.
Relatives of Banegas Lopez and Tigre were in court for the guilty plea. They declined to speak to News 12.
The other suspects charged in the quadruple homicide are Alexi Hernandez, Santos Leonel Ortiz-Flores, Omar Villalta, Edwin Diaz, and six juveniles -- including Portillo, whose case was unsealed Monday. 
Despite his age and his attorney's objection, Portillo's case has been transferred to adult status. The judge agreed to do so citing "substantial risk" that he would return to "violent activity" if given a lighter sentence as a minor.


More from News 12
1:59
EXCLUSIVE: Father of teen boy killed in Jericho 1 year ago urges governor to sign Grieving Families Act

EXCLUSIVE: Father of teen boy killed in Jericho 1 year ago urges governor to sign Grieving Families Act

2:14
Scattered showers overnight and into Wednesday morning

Scattered showers overnight and into Wednesday morning

0:20
Wyandanch man sentenced to 13 years in prison for Central Islip home invasion

Wyandanch man sentenced to 13 years in prison for Central Islip home invasion

2:29
Public hearing to be held on proposal to being a walkable downtown to Melville

Public hearing to be held on proposal to being a walkable downtown to Melville

1:24
US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

0:35
Suffolk bakery The Savory Fig recalls baked goods amid state investigation

Suffolk bakery The Savory Fig recalls baked goods amid state investigation

0:22
Police: Ridge man arrested for selling fake car insurance

Police: Ridge man arrested for selling fake car insurance

0:33
Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

0:53
USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

2:03
Made on Long Island: UVX Universal Vinyl Extruders in West Babylon

Made on Long Island: UVX Universal Vinyl Extruders in West Babylon

1:23
Groundbreaking held for new Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook

Groundbreaking held for new Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook

8:55
Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

2:59
2 defendants in body parts case plead not guilty to second-degree murder charges

2 defendants in body parts case plead not guilty to second-degree murder charges

0:56
Bay Shore HS varsity girl's lacrosse team 'Play For Pearl' in memory of 9-year-old

Bay Shore HS varsity girl's lacrosse team 'Play For Pearl' in memory of 9-year-old

1:57
11-month-old who nearly died of fentanyl poisoning saved by first responders

11-month-old who nearly died of fentanyl poisoning saved by first responders

0:49
Students hold pro-Palestinian protest at Adelphi University

Students hold pro-Palestinian protest at Adelphi University

1:59
You want the dirt? Thousands of pounds of sod arrives at Eisenhower Park ahead of Cricket World Cup

You want the dirt? Thousands of pounds of sod arrives at Eisenhower Park ahead of Cricket World Cup

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:24
Man arrested for attempted robbery of Coram smoke shop

Man arrested for attempted robbery of Coram smoke shop