An alleged Long Island MS-13 gang associate has been found guilty of luring four teenagers to their deaths in 2017, per ABC 7.
Known as “La Diablita,” or the Little Devil, Leniz Escobar was found guilty of all counts Monday after she reportedly lured the teens into the woods to be ambushed by more than a dozen gang members. Following what took place in the Central Islip park, Escobar has been found guilty of racketeering, including predicate acts of murder, conspiracy to murder rival gang members, and obstruction of justice, as well as murder in aid-of racketeering.
Escobar, now 21, reportedly asked Alexander Ruiz, Michael Lopez, Justin Llivicura, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobos if they wanted to smoke weed in the woods, before gang members killed four of the boys with machetes, knives, and tree limbs.
Prosecutors said the gang felt “disrespected” by the teens, who were allegedly members of the 18th Street gang, over online posts. The victims’ families deny they were in a gang. Ruiz took the stand during the trial and explained how he fled the scene. Escobar was 17 at the time.
“As proven at trial, Ms. Escobar played a crucial role in a heinous and senseless crime, the 2017 slayings of four young men believed by MS-13 to be members of a rival gang,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said. “Subsequent to the murders she continued to demonstrate her callous disregard for human life when she boasted about her role in the killings to enhance her stature within the gang. While nothing can bring the victims back, it is our hope that today’s verdict can bring their families a measure of comfort, knowing justice has been served.”
Prosecutors shared a phone call that Escobar had with her boyfriend on the day of the murders, when she said someone “missed the train,” likely alluding to the one teen who ran away, per ABC 7. The defense argued that Escobar didn’t know the boys would be murdered and didn’t know the men responsible. Escobar now faces life in prison following the four-week trial.
“Today’s verdict sends a clear message that those who associate with a gang will be held accountable for their involvement with gang activity,” SCPD Commissioner Rodney Harrison said. “Escobar showed a complete disregard for human life and put her allegiance to the gang ahead of the rule of law. I applaud all those involved from the Suffolk County Police Department, the FBI and our partners in law enforcement for their hard work and dedication to justice.”
United States Attorney Breon Peace, meanwhile, said, “With today’s verdict, Escobar has been held responsible for the crucial role that she willingly played in orchestrating one of the most vicious and senseless mass murders in the district in memory. The defendant showed utter disregard for human life by leading the victims into a killing field, to their slaughter, to enhance her stature with her fellow cold-blooded murderers within the MS-13 gang.”
Peace also pointed out today marks the five-year anniversary of the killings. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims,” he said. “We know that the verdict does not erase the pain you wake up with every day and will always carry with you. But, we hope that this day brings some measure of consolation.”
