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Raul Ponce, 19, of Hempstead, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the machete killing of Bryan Steven Cho Lemus, 18, and in the killing of Julio Cesar Gonzales-Espantzay, 19, of Valley Stream, said the Nassau County Police.
Gonzales-Espantzay's body was discovered in March 2017. Lemus' body was uncovered on May 24 in a shallow grave.
Earlier in the week, police arrested and charged Stanley Gerson Juarez, 22, of Hempstead, with murder in the killing of Lemus.
Lemus has been missing since Aug. 24, 2016. Police believe he was lured to the location and then attacked with machetes by MS-13 gang members.
According to detectives, during an unrelated homicide investigation, information was received that human remains may be found in the Massapequa Preserve.
On Friday, May 24, homicide detectives canvassing the preserve, were able to identify and locate a gravesite. Human remains were discovered in a gravesite and removed to the Medical Examiner’s office where they were identified as Lemus, police said.
Ponce is the sixth person to be charged in his death.
Police said last week to expect additional arrests associated with the Lemus murder.
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