41 alleged MS-13 gang members indicted

Following a broad investigation into the operations of the MS-13 gang, Nassau County officials announced that 41 of its alleged members were indicted on June 15 for multiple acts of violence and conspiracy in Nassau County over the last four years.

The 85-count indictment includes conspiracy, attempted murder, assault, weapons possession and other charges. Thirty-five of the defendants face up to 25 years-to-life in prison if convicted.

Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said that immediately after a December 2016 takedown of alleged members of the Salvadorians with Pride gang, the county dedicated more resources to investigate MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha. The investigation uncovered disturbing initiation and membership practices, i.e. a person must be beaten for at least 13 seconds by initiated members in order to be an accepted. Accepted candidates must agree to participate in assaults, stabbings, shootings and other acts of violence at the direction of older gang members, and must kill someone when directed.

Recruitment for MS-13 starts as early as middle school, officials said. Usually, a unwilling candidate will be threatened until the child gives in and joins. MS-13 members have been known to flash machetes and guns to kids they are looking to intimidate and recruit, and will threaten physical harm to them and their families.

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