This was no laughing matter.
A leader of the violent MS-13 immigrant gang nicknamed “Fanny” couldn't stop smiling in federal court on Tuesday even as he was sentenced to 60 years in prison for seven brutal murders.
Jairo Saenz, a leader in the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside gang, has committed crimes in 2016, including ordering the killing of two high school girls the group believed he disrespected on social media. He admitted his involvement in the fatal incident and spoke with a grin.
Brentwood High School students Kayla Cuevas, 16, and Nisa Mickens, 15, were beaten and hacked to death on September 13, 2016, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
“My reaction to that is he's trying to see his family one last time because he's never going to see them again,” said Mickens' mother, Elizabeth Alvarado, outside the courtroom. “That's what he did to my daughter. I'll never see her again.”
Saenz, 28, and his brother Alexi were among the prominent members of MS-13. indicted by federal authorities in 2017.
Alexi Saenz, known as “Bratsie” and “Plaky,” pleaded guilty in July to eight counts of murder, including those of two teenagers, and could receive up to 70 years in prison, but his contract does not include The condition is that the younger brother also plead.
It finally happened on Tuesday.
“Today, Jairo Saenz pleaded guilty to seven counts of murder that could only be described as barbaric, and multiple acts of senseless gang violence that turned parts of Long Island into a war zone,” the statement said after the lawsuit. said. .
“It is my sincere hope that today's guilty plea brings some measure of comfort and closure to the families of the defendant's victims as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones,” Pokorny said.
In the courtroom, Jairo Saenz could not keep a smile on his face, turning several times to make eye contact with his mother and sister in the courtroom.
“I came to this country and worked for two years before joining in 2013,” the killer said in a Spanish statement read out by his lawyer. “I knew MS-13 was a Salvadoran gang. I know MS-13 had members in Franklin and Central Islip. We agreed to kill people.”
In a statement, Haenz went on to admit to a series of vicious killings.
In addition to the teen he ordered to kill, Saenz admitted to killing Esteban Alvarado Bonilla at an East Islip deli on January 30, 2017. The suspect was targeted because he wore a number 18 jersey, which the gang assumed meant he was a member. Prosecutors said the crime was committed by rival crew members.
On October 10, 2016, he ordered the murder of 15-year-old Javier Castillo, who was hacked to death in Freeport as a reputed rival, and three days later, he drove three MS-13 members to the Dewan Police Department. – Killed Stax. believe he is part of a rival gang.
Then, on September 5, 2016, the Saenz brothers beat Marcus Bohannon to death with nine slugs, believing him to be a member of a rival Bloods gang.
Prosecutors say on April 29, 2016, Saenz authorized his gang to kill Oscar Acosta for allegedly dealing with the rival 18th Street gang.
In the first murder, Saenz and other gang members lured Michael Johnson into the woods to smoke marijuana, but ambushed him and cut him to death with a knife and machete.
Saenz also pleaded guilty to racketeering, arson and attempted murder.
Mr. Johnson's father, George Johnson, said outside court Tuesday that he was still mourning Mr. Johnson's death.
“We're getting closer to the closure we've been chasing for the last eight years,” Johnson said. “I wasn't happy with that smile, but I guess there was nothing else to show for his actions.
“He's not happy,” he added. “I know he can't be happy where he is.”
Additional reporting by Kyle Schnitzer
