U.S. Attorney Breon S. Peace | U.S. Department of Justice
In a federal court session held in Central Islip, Jairo Saenz, also known as "Funny," admitted to multiple criminal activities. Saenz is a high-ranking member of the Brentwood/Central Islip chapter of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13. The charges against him include involvement in seven murders, three attempted murders, arson, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses.
Saenz's guilty plea relates to several incidents from 2016 to 2017. These include the murder of Michael Johnson on January 28, 2016; Oscar Acosta on April 29, 2016; Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens on September 13, 2016; Javier Castillo on October 10, 2016; Dewann Stacks on October 13, 2016; and Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla on January 30, 2017. He also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that led to Marcus Bohannon's murder by other MS-13 members on September 5, 2016.
During the court proceedings before United States District Judge Gary R. Brown, it was revealed that Saenz could face up to sixty years in prison under his plea agreement. Carolyn Pokorny, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York stated: “Today, Jairo Saenz pleaded guilty to seven murders that can only be described as barbaric."
Saenz's brother and former superior within the gang hierarchy had previously confessed to similar crimes in July last year. The gang has been notorious for its violent operations across Long Island.
The prosecution is part of broader efforts by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force and OCDETF investigations aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations like MS-13. These agencies work collaboratively with various local law enforcement bodies across New York State.
Assistant United States Attorneys John J. Durham among others are leading this case with support from paralegal specialists.
