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Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said that the alleged gang members are facing charges that include conspiracy and second-degree murder for their roles in the death of 19-year-old Julio Cesar Espantzay, who was a perceived enemy of MS-13.
Those charged:
- Raul Ponce, aka “Shadow” and “Little Shadow,” 21, of Hempstead;
- Gerson Stanley Juarez, aka “Angel Black,” 23, of Hempstead;
- Carlos Portillo, aka, “Pikachu,” 24, of Hempstead;
- Kevin Grandos-Coreas, aka “Lonely,” 21, of Queens;
- Antonio Cullal, aka, “Duke,” 25, of Hempstead;
- Roberto Abrego-Reyes, aka “Splinter,” 25, of Hempstead;
- Laura Campos, aka “Salvi,” 30, of Maryland.
Ponce and Juarez pleaded not guilty to the murder and conspiracy charges. Five others previously charged with second-degree murder were also charged with second-degree conspiracy.
It is alleged that Granados-Coreas told Abrego-Reyes, Portillo, and Cullal that Espantzay was an enemy of the gang. They then allegedly lured Espantzay to the Massapequa Preserve on Jan. 28, 2017, by telling him that he would have sex in the park and that they would smoke marijuana. To lure him to the preserve, one of the gang members allegedly pretended to befriend him.
Once at the preserve, Granados-Coreas, Cullal, Ponce, and Juarez allegedly hacked Espantzay to death with a machete. They later allegedly disposed of the body under tree branches, leaves, and other brush. The body was found weeks later on March 23, 2017, by a man walking his dog in the preserve.
“These defendants lured a 19-year-old into the woods and hacked him to death because they believed him to be an enemy of MS-13,” Singas said. “Thanks to law enforcement collaboration, MS-13 is on the run in Nassau, and we will ensure these alleged violent murderers are held accountable for this horrific crime.”
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