Prosecutors indict 13 suspected gang members

<p>Nassau authorities arrested 12 alleged members of a violent Hempstead street gang accused in a six-month string of crimes, including stabbings and shootings. Although 13 suspected Salvadorians with Pride gang members were indicted, one has still not been arrested.</p>

News 12 Staff

Mar 13, 2017, 3:44 PM

Updated 2,610 days ago

Share:

Prosecutors indict 13 suspected gang members
Nassau authorities arrested 12 alleged members of a violent Hempstead street gang accused in a six-month string of crimes, including stabbings and shootings.
Although 13 suspected Salvadorians with Pride gang members were indicted, one has still not been arrested. Prosecutors say they believe he got tipped off to the other arrests and fled.
In a 49-count indictment, prosecutors allege SWP carried out a war against rival gangs such as MS-13 and Vatos Locos. Prosecutors say this string of crimes started in May, and included numerous assaults, a hammer attack, five shootings and a stabbing in which the victim was stabbed 25 times.
Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas is also charging the reputed gang members with conspiracy, which increases potential prison time if they are convicted.
Among those arrested are Wilmer "Scrappy" Sandoval, 23, and Jimmy Bonilla, 27, known as "Gem Star." Singas says both are top members of the gang.
"These [original gangsters]  give orders and the more subordinate gang members are not allowed to disobey these orders," says Singas.
Sandoval's defense attorney Douglas Appel says his client was already facing other charges and said Sandoval was in jail at the time of some of the incidents.
In News 12 Long Island's "Gangs on Long Island" series, experts said that gang members routinely give orders to younger members from inside jail. It was not immediately clear if that was the case for Sandoval.
Sandoval was held without bail.


More from News 12
2:14
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:39
Morning rains before cloudy, warm Monday afternoon for Long Island

Morning rains before cloudy, warm Monday afternoon for Long Island

1:53
Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

1:34
2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

0:21
State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:46
Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

0:28
Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

2:15
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

0:38
Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst