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Prosecutors: 5 suspects plotted to kidnap, kill teen to advance MS-13 status
Posted: Updated:Five suspects with alleged MS-13 gang ties were arraigned Wednesday on a grand jury indictment accusing them of trying to kidnap and kill a 16-year-old boy in Brentwood.
Prosecutors say the attempt earlier this month to kidnap the teen was an attempt to elevate their status within MS-13.
Prosecutors say Miguel Rivera, Oscar Fuentes, Lilliana Villanueva, Vidal Contrera-Ortiz and Jorge Bermudez had knives, bats, a tarp and duct tape in a van as they attempted to abduct the teenager near First Street and Third Avenue.
According to court documents, Miguel Rivera told the others that the would-be victim was a rival in the 18th Street Gang. He allegedly said, "We're going to take him somewhere private and beat him to death with the bats." He then identified himself as a member of "MS-13 Carleton Click."
Attorneys for two of the five suspects say their clients are not in MS-13 and that there was no such conspiracy.
"Just because someone is from El Salvador does not mean automatically that he is a member of MS-13," said Peter Mayer, who is representing Oscar Fuentes. "These are young men who were caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Four of the five defendants are Brentwood High School students with no prior criminal history. They were each held on ICE detainers. Officials say they were either in the U.S. illegally or are unaccompanied minors.
Gang Terror on Long IslandMore>>
Ryder: MS-13 targeted specific officer in 2nd MS-13 threat
Ryder: MS-13 targeted specific officer in 2nd MS-13 threat
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says a second threat has been issued by MS-13 – this time against a specific on-duty officer.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says a second threat has been issued by MS-13 – this time against a specific on-duty officer.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says a second threat has been issued by MS-13 – this time against a specific on-duty officer.
Nassau police plan major crackdown on MS-13 following threats
Nassau police plan major crackdown on MS-13 following threats
This weekend Nassau police plan a major crackdown on MS-13.
This weekend Nassau police plan a major crackdown on MS-13.
$75K offered for information on MS-13 threat against police
$75K offered for information on MS-13 threat against police
Authorities in Nassau and Suffolk are offering a $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest after police say they received a credible threat against officers by MS-13.
Authorities in Nassau and Suffolk are offering a $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest after police say they received a credible threat against officers by MS-13.
Authorities in Nassau and Suffolk are offering a $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest after police say they received a credible threat against officers by MS-13.
Police warned of MS-13 threat to 'take out' a police officer
Police warned of MS-13 threat to 'take out' a police officer
The Nassau County Police Department says it has been made aware of a threat of violence against its officers. The statement comes after the Hempstead Police Department warned of a credible threat by MS-13.
The statement comes after the Hempstead Police Department warned of a credible threat by MS-13.
The statement comes after the Hempstead Police Department warned of a credible threat by MS-13.
Prosecutor: MS-13’s ‘Reaper’ ordered murders, directed drug operations
Prosecutor: MS-13’s ‘Reaper’ ordered murders, directed drug operations
An MS-13’s kingpin, who is said to report directly to gang leaders leaders in El Salvador, was arraigned on Long Island Thursday.
Prosecutors say Miguel Angel Corea Diaz, also known as “The Reaper,” was extradited from Maryland.
Prosecutors say Miguel Angel Corea Diaz, also known as “The Reaper,” was extradited from Maryland.
18th Street Gang markings found in Riverside park
18th Street Gang markings found in Riverside park
Police say gang-related graffiti was found scrawled at a park in Riverside earlier this month.
Police say gang-related graffiti was found scrawled at a park in Riverside earlier this month.
Gov. Cuomo announces $18.5M to combat MS-13 recruitment
Gov. Cuomo announces $18.5M to combat MS-13 recruitment
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in Brentwood Wednesday to announce that $18.5 million will be going toward cutting off MS-13 recruitment and providing youth programs to prevent gang involvement on Long Island.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in Brentwood Wednesday to announce that $18.5 million will be going toward cutting off MS-13 recruitment and providing youth programs to prevent gang involvement on Long Island.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in Brentwood Wednesday to announce that $18.5 million will be going toward cutting off MS-13 recruitment and providing youth programs to prevent gang involvement on Long Island.
Alleged MS-13 member convicted of threatening boys to join gang
Alleged MS-13 member convicted of threatening boys to join gang
An alleged MS-13 gang member has been convicted of using threats to try and recruit new members.
An alleged MS-13 gang member has been convicted of using threats to try and recruit new members.
Sources: Babylon Village remains believed to be man missing since 2015
Sources: Babylon Village remains believed to be man missing since 2015
The remains are believed to be 29-year-old Caesar Rivera, according to sources.
The remains are believed to be 29-year-old Caesar Rivera, according to sources.
1 year later, family mourns victims of Central Islip quadruple homicide
1 year later, family mourns victims of Central Islip quadruple homicide
The quadruple homicide was shocking, even to veteran members of law enforcement.
The quadruple homicide was shocking, even to veteran members of law enforcement.
Long Island Top StoriesMore>>
DA: Hempstead police officer stole funds from FD, falsified records
DA: Hempstead police officer stole funds from FD, falsified records
A Hempstead Village police office and a member of the Hempstead School Board was arraigned on a 13-count indictment Wednesday morning inside a Mineola courtroom.
Randy Stith turned himself in to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for allegedly misappropriating public money.
Randy Stith turned himself in to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for allegedly misappropriating public money.
NTSB takes over probe of Lynbrook LIRR platform death
NTSB takes over probe of Lynbrook LIRR platform death
The federal government is taking over the investigation into the death of a man at the Long Island Rail Road station in Lynbrook.
The federal government is taking over the investigation into the death of a man at the Long Island Rail Road station in Lynbrook.
The federal government is taking over the investigation into the death of a man at the Long Island Rail Road station in Lynbrook.
April 2018 special election results
April 2018 special election results
Special elections were held to fill vacancies in three state Assembly districts on Long Island.
Special elections were held to fill vacancies in three state Assembly districts on Long Island.
Testimony continues in Mangano-Venditto corruption trial
Testimony continues in Mangano-Venditto corruption trial
Newsday's Nicole Fuller talks to News 12 about Wednesday's developments in the Mangano-Venditto federal corruption trial outside the Central Islip courthouse.
Gov. Cuomo sends cease-and-desist letter to ICE over raids
Gov. Cuomo sends cease-and-desist letter to ICE over raids
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement about raids it conducts in New York.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement about raids it conducts in New York.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement about raids it conducts in New York.
Medical marijuana dispensary seeks parking variance in Carle Place
Medical marijuana dispensary seeks parking variance in Carle Place
A medical marijuana dispensary company went before the Town of North Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board Wednesday to seek a parking variance for its Carle Place location.
A medical marijuana dispensary company went before the Town of North Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board Wednesday to seek a parking variance for its Carle Place location.
A medical marijuana dispensary company went before the Town of North Hempstead Zoning Appeals Board Wednesday to seek a parking variance for its Carle Place location.
NY balance of power could shift after Dems win special elections
NY balance of power could shift after Dems win special elections
A pair of Democrats won their special elections in Westchester and the Bronx Tuesday, which could begin to shift control of the state Senate away from Republicans.
A pair of Democrats won their special elections in Westchester and the Bronx Tuesday, which could begin to shift control of the state Senate away from Republicans.
A pair of Democrats won their special elections in Westchester and the Bronx Tuesday, which could begin to shift control of the state Senate away from Republicans.
Town of Babylon approves vaping ban for public parks
Town of Babylon approves vaping ban for public parks
E-cigarette smoking in public parks is no longer welcome in the Town of Babylon.
E-cigarette smoking in public parks is no longer welcome in the Town of Babylon.
Federal judge rules against Trump administration on DACA
Federal judge rules against Trump administration on DACA
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA - the Obama-era program that currently protects about 700,000 people brought to the U.S. as children.
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA - the Obama-era program that currently protects about 700,000 people brought to the U.S. as children.
A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA - the Obama-era program that currently protects about 700,000 people brought to the U.S. as children.
Business Briefs: WhatsApp, gun emoji, Amazon Alexa
Business Briefs: WhatsApp, gun emoji, Amazon Alexa
WhatsApp is raising its age limit overseas. The gun debate continues... but this time, over emojis. And Amazon Alexa wants to sit at the kids table.
WhatsApp is raising its age limit overseas. The gun debate continues... but this time, over emojis. And Amazon Alexa wants to sit at the kids table.
CrimeMore>>
DA: Hempstead police officer stole funds from FD, falsified records
DA: Hempstead police officer stole funds from FD, falsified records
A Hempstead Village police office and a member of the Hempstead School Board was arraigned on a 13-count indictment Wednesday morning inside a Mineola courtroom.
Randy Stith turned himself in to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for allegedly misappropriating public money.
Randy Stith turned himself in to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for allegedly misappropriating public money.
Ryder: MS-13 targeted specific officer in 2nd MS-13 threat
Ryder: MS-13 targeted specific officer in 2nd MS-13 threat
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says a second threat has been issued by MS-13 – this time against a specific on-duty officer.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says a second threat has been issued by MS-13 – this time against a specific on-duty officer.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says a second threat has been issued by MS-13 – this time against a specific on-duty officer.
Charges upgraded against driver in fatal Lawrence crash
Charges upgraded against driver in fatal Lawrence crash
Rahmel Watkins is now facing two upgraded charges of manslaughter.
Rahmel Watkins is now facing two upgraded charges of manslaughter.
Priest found bound in Shelter Island remembered for life of service
Priest found bound in Shelter Island remembered for life of service
As News 12 has reported, Reverend Canon Paul Wancura, 87, was discovered tied up and injured back in March.
A final farewell was held in East Setauket Tuesday for a priest who died after being attacked during a home invasion on Shelter Island.
A final farewell was held in East Setauket Tuesday for a priest who died after being attacked during a home invasion on Shelter Island.
Woman accused of driving with suspended license, spitting on police
Woman accused of driving with suspended license, spitting on police
Police say Jahnay Harley blew through several stop signs on Schleigel Boulevard in North Amityville on Monday afternoon.
Police say Jahnay Harley blew through several stop signs on Schleigel Boulevard in North Amityville on Monday afternoon.
Police say Jahnay Harley blew through several stop signs on Schleigel Boulevard in North Amityville on Monday afternoon.
Newsday: Oyster Bay Town official charged with leaving scene of accident
Newsday: Oyster Bay Town official charged with leaving scene of accident
Police say Richard Lenz was involved in a crash Friday near exit 10 of the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway, according to Newsday.
Police say Richard Lenz was involved in a crash Friday near exit 10 of the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway, according to Newsday.4 suspects arrested after man was attacked with box cutter
4 suspects arrested after man was attacked with box cutter
Four suspects are behind bars and a fifth is being sought after police say a man was attacked with a box cutter Saturday evening.
Four suspects are behind bars and a fifth is being sought after police say a man was attacked with a box cutter Saturday evening.
Hampton Bays contractor accused of stealing from customers
Hampton Bays contractor accused of stealing from customers
A Hampton Bays contractor is being accused of taking money from clients for work that was never started or completed.
A Hampton Bays contractor is being accused of taking money from clients for work that was never started or completed.
Nassau police plan major crackdown on MS-13 following threats
Nassau police plan major crackdown on MS-13 following threats
This weekend Nassau police plan a major crackdown on MS-13.
This weekend Nassau police plan a major crackdown on MS-13.
2 Mastic men face judge for allegedly having gun, drugs in home
2 Mastic men face judge for allegedly having gun, drugs in home
Two Mastic men will face a judge today, accused of having illegal drugs and a loaded gun in their home.
Two Mastic men will face a judge today, accused of having illegal drugs and a loaded gun in their home.