Justice Served for Slain Long Island Teens as MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty

Alexi Saenz, a high-ranking MS-13 gang member, has admitted his involvement in the gruesome murders of eight individuals, including two high school girls in Long Island in 2016. The victims' parents, honored by former President Trump, expressed disappointment over the withdrawal of the death penalty option but remain hopeful for justice.

Alexi Saenz, a high-ranking member of the violent MS-13 gang, pleaded guilty Wednesday to his involvement in eight brutal murders in New York, including the horrific killings of two high school girls in 2016.

Justice Served for Slain Long Island Teens as MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty

Kayla Cuevas, 16, and Nisa Mickens, 15, were beaten with bats and hacked with a machete near an elementary school in Brentwood on September 13, 2016. Their bodies were found a day apart, leaving the Long Island community deeply shaken.

Saenz, known as "Blasty" and "Big Homie," was the leader of an MS-13 group operating in Brentwood and Central Islip called Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside. He admitted to his role in the murders of Cuevas, Mickens, and six others, including 15-year-old Javier Castillo and 19-year-old Oscar Acosta.

Justice Served for Slain Long Island Teens as MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty

According to prosecutors, the murders stemmed from disputes between Cuevas and MS-13 members. Saenz granted permission for the killings, and several gang members pursued and attacked the girls with blunt force and a machete.

Saenz's guilty plea came after years of investigation and indictments charging MS-13 members with over 70 murders in the Eastern District of New York. He faces 40 to 70 years in prison, with prosecutors previously withdrawing their intent to seek the death penalty.

Justice Served for Slain Long Island Teens as MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty

Former President Trump honored Cuevas and Mickens' parents at his 2018 State of the Union address, calling for stricter border controls to combat the gang's influence. Cuevas' father expressed disappointment over the removal of the death penalty but said he hoped for closure for the families.

Mickens' mother, Elizabeth Alvarado, said that while the guilty plea was a step forward, "it doesn't bring my daughter back." She added, "We're going to keep fighting for justice for our children."

Justice Served for Slain Long Island Teens as MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty

The victims' parents have become anti-gang activists, working to raise awareness about the dangers of MS-13 and calling for stricter immigration policies. Cuevas' mother, Evelyn Rodriguez, was tragically killed in 2018 during a dispute over a memorial for her daughter.

Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, praised the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and community members in targeting MS-13 and reducing its presence on Long Island.

Justice Served for Slain Long Island Teens as MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty

"To say that Alexi Saenz's hands are drenched in blood does not begin to describe the multiple killings and extreme mayhem he personally directed and committed in the span of one year in Suffolk County," Peace said.

The guilty plea brings some closure to the families of the victims, but the fight against MS-13 and other violent gangs remains an ongoing challenge. Law enforcement officials and community advocates continue to work together to disrupt gang activity and prevent future tragedies.