MS-13 Members Charged in Long Island Killings and Drug Trafficking

Five individuals affiliated with the violent MS-13 gang face federal charges after allegedly committing brutal murders and engaging in drug distribution on Long Island. The indictment outlines their involvement in the killing of a gang member for collaborating with a rival gang and suspicion of cooperating with law enforcement.

In 2023, Yoneli Ramos-Moreno was lured to a parking lot in Hauppauge and then taken to Sunken Meadow Bluff, where he was strangled and beaten to death by gang members who accused him of fraternizing with the Latin Kings. Later, on March 3, the gang turned on Carlos Lopez-Lopez, one of Ramos-Moreno’s alleged killers, drowning and stabbing him due to fears he might cooperate with authorities.

The suspects are also charged with drug trafficking activities, linked to their roles in MS-13’s “Hollywood” and “Carlington” cliques. These gang members are said to be part of an international gang originating from Central America, including members from El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico, with a significant presence on Long Island.

Authorities describe MS-13 as notorious for savage attacks, often employing machetes, and notorious for turning on associates at the slightest suspicion of betrayal. The indictment underscores their commitment to dismantling organized crime in the region.

“The indictment highlights our determination to hold accountable those responsible for these heinous acts,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. The arrested suspects include Noel Portillo-Romero, Cruz Sanchez-Gutierrez, and Ernesto Torres-Hernandez, who await arraignment, while others are in federal custody pending future court proceedings.