Five MS-13 gang members brutally executed two of their members on Long Island, showcasing the extreme violence and paranoia that define one of America’s most dangerous transnational criminal organizations.
Key Takeaways
- Five MS-13 members murdered Yoneli Ramos-Moreno for associating with rival Latin Kings gang members and later killed their accomplice Carlos Lopez-Lopez on suspicion of cooperating with authorities.
- The murders involved particularly savage methods, including stabbing, strangling, drowning, and beating, typical of MS-13’s brutality toward perceived traitors.
- Federal prosecutors have charged the suspects as part of a broader crackdown that includes a 70-count indictment against 25 MS-13 members and associates in Long Island.
- All five gang members are currently held without bail and face additional charges related to drug trafficking operations.
- Federal authorities have vowed to eradicate MS-13 from Long Island through aggressive prosecution and community cooperation.
Savage Gang Justice: MS-13’s Brutal Enforcement
In a disturbing display of gang “discipline,” five MS-13 members executed fellow gang member Yoneli Ramos-Moreno in Kings Park, Long Island in 2023 after discovering he had been friendly with members of the rival Latin Kings gang. The punishment for this perceived disloyalty was swift and brutal. Federal prosecutors revealed that the gang members employed multiple methods of violence, including stabbing, strangling, drowning, and savage beating, to murder their former associate, demonstrating the extreme measures MS-13 takes against those who violate gang rules.
“The legal terms in the indictment cannot adequately describe the sheer savagery with which the defendants, in service to the MS-13 gang, beat, strangled and murdered Ramos-Moreno and plotted to murder Lopez-Lopes,” said Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for New York’s Eastern District.
The bloodshed didn’t end with Ramos-Moreno. Carlos Lopez-Lopez, who had participated in the first murder, later became a victim himself when other gang members suspected he was cooperating with federal law enforcement. This pattern of violence against suspected informants is a hallmark of MS-13’s operations, which rely on fear and brutal enforcement of loyalty to maintain control over members and associates. The gang’s “kill-or-be-killed” mentality creates a perpetual cycle of violence that has terrorized communities across Long Island.
Federal Crackdown Intensifies
The arrests are part of a much larger federal operation targeting MS-13 on Long Island. Twenty-five gang members and associates have been charged in a comprehensive 70-count indictment in the Eastern District of New York. The charges span a wide range of criminal activities, including multiple murders, assault, witness tampering, extortion, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and obstruction of justice. This coordinated effort represents one of the most significant crackdowns on the gang’s operations in the region.
“This crackdown on transnational gangs demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to stopping the escalating violence linked to gang activity,” said James T. Hayes, Jr.
Federal authorities have confirmed that all five gang members involved in the murders of Ramos-Moreno and Lopez-Lopez are currently in federal custody and are being held without bail. The suspects belong to the MS-13 Hollywood and Carlington cliques, specialized subgroups within the larger gang structure. In addition to the murder charges, the defendants face allegations of drug trafficking, further highlighting the gang’s diverse criminal enterprise that extends beyond violence into narcotics distribution networks throughout Long Island communities.
Long Island’s Ongoing Battle With MS-13
MS-13’s presence on Long Island has been a persistent public safety threat for decades. With roots in Central America, particularly El Salvador, the gang has established a significant foothold in suburban communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Law enforcement agencies have made substantial progress, with over 120 MS-13 members arrested and convicted in the past decade in the Eastern District of New York alone. Despite these efforts, the gang continues to recruit new members and conduct violent operations across the region.
“The charges in the indictment demonstrate my office and our law enforcement partners’ resolve to hold vicious transnational organized crime groups like MS-13 accountable for their crimes and continue the mission to eradicate them from Long Island,” said Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for New York’s Eastern District.
The investigation and prosecution involve multiple law enforcement agencies working in coordination, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and local police departments. This multi-agency approach has proven effective in targeting different aspects of the gang’s operations. The defendants face severe penalties if convicted, including potential life imprisonment for those charged with murder. The Trump administration has prioritized dismantling MS-13 and other transnational criminal organizations as part of its broader strategy to secure American communities from violent crime.
