4th suspect charged in Massapequa MS-13 murder

<p>A fourth person has been charged in connection to an MS-13 gang murder in Massapequa.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 7, 2017, 10:03 AM

Updated 2,555 days ago

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A fourth person has been charged in connection to an MS-13 gang murder in Massapequa. 
Antonio Cullal, 23, is charged in the killing at the Massapequa Preserve.
As News 12 reported, 19-year-old Julio Cesar Gonzales-Espantzay was allegedly lured into the woods in January with the promise of sex and marijuana. Gonzales-Espantzay was then hacked to death with machetes by members of MS-13, officials say.
"The motivation was status, to move up in the group," says Nassau County Police Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick. "The MS-13, they had to prove themselves to the rest of the members and this unfortunate young man was just someone they were going to move up on."
Two suspected gang members, Carlos Portillo and Kevin Granados, were arrested in connection to the killing over the summer. A Maryland woman who allegedly lured the victim to his death was also charged.
Police say Cullal is an undocumented immigrant. He was ordered held without bail Saturday.
Authorities say there could be more arrests in the case.