BREAKING NEWS

Long Island native identified as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

AG Sessions: MS-13 could qualify as foreign terror group

<p>United States Attorney General Jess Session will be in Central Islip this Friday, and he's expected to continue his recent tough talk against the MS-13 gang blamed for the recent deaths of four young men found in a Central Islip park.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 26, 2017, 10:45 PM

Updated 2,550 days ago

Share:

AG Sessions: MS-13 could qualify as foreign terror group
United States Attorney General Jess Session will be in Central Islip this Friday, and he's expected to continue his recent tough talk against the MS-13 gang blamed for the recent deaths of four young men found in a Central Islip park.
"Transnational criminal organizations like MS-13 represent one of the gravest threats to our American safety," Sessions said.
He added last week that he believes the Salvadorian gang "could" qualify as a "foreign terrorist organization" on a government list that includes groups like al-Qaida and Boko Haram. Labeling the gang as such would mean that cases would be tried in federal court, and it would be a felony to provide material support to the group, including giving it money.
Experts say MS-13 members work day jobs and pay monthly membership dues to the organization.
When asked if he thinks classifying MS-13 as a terror group would help law enforcement, U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) said: "I think we have to find some classification, again, whether it's terror...to me, they are more than just a group of bad people. They are organized crime, maybe you can bring them under the organized crime act, under RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)."
Robert De Sena, the founder of anti-gang group Council for Unity, says the terror classification would not matter. Instead, he says the answer is to address societal problems like poverty and the lack of family and opportunity.
One criminal defense attorney told News 12 that classifying gang members as terrorists raises civil liberties concerns. For instance, a judge's oversight would not be needed in order to issue search warrants or wire taps.
Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini says he supports using the current RICO organized crime statute to prosecute MS-13 over classifying them as a "foreign terrorist group." Acting Nassau Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter says he'll address the issue after Sessions' Friday visit.


More from News 12
2:24
Long Island native ID'ed as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

Long Island native ID'ed as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

2:01
Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

0:37
Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

0:35
Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

1:46
Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

1:00
Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

1:46
Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

2:10
News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

2:19
New retail theft prevention plan in state budget includes harsher charges, more patrols

New retail theft prevention plan in state budget includes harsher charges, more patrols

0:28
Muslim Student Association of Walt Whitman High School hosts Day of Unity conference

Muslim Student Association of Walt Whitman High School hosts Day of Unity conference

0:23
Suffolk County holds police promotion ceremony in Brentwood

Suffolk County holds police promotion ceremony in Brentwood

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

0:17
Police probe multivehicle crash on Southern State Parkway

Police probe multivehicle crash on Southern State Parkway

0:23
Police: 1 man faces charges for selling cannabis, illegal vape products at Huntington Station shop

Police: 1 man faces charges for selling cannabis, illegal vape products at Huntington Station shop

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road