2 MS-13 Members Plead Guilty To January Attempted Murder: Nassau DA
Crime & Safety
The charges stem from an assault and stabbing of two men in Hempstead earlier this year, prosecutors said.MINEOLA, NY —Two self-identified MS-13 gang members pleaded guilty to attempted murder charges in the assault and stabbing of two men in Hempstead earlier this year, prosecutors announced.
Brandon Meza-Hernandez, 32, and Jonny Turcios, 35, each pleaded guilty on November 6, on two counts of second-degree attempted murder, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.
Another co-defendant, Jose Lovo Parada, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted assault in August 5. He is expected to be sentenced on November 20, prosecutors said.
"My office has long been committed to cracking down on dangerous gang violence, particularly stemming from MS-13, which has worked to thoroughly entrench itself in our communities for years," Donnelly said.
During the overnight hours of Jan. 6, Meza-Hernandez, Turcios and an unidentified man engaged in an altercation with one of the victims on North Franklin Street, Donnelly said.
The trio began hitting and kicking the victim and stated that they were members of MS-13. Turcios also displayed MS-13 gang signs with his hands, the D.A.'s office said.
Thereafter, Turcios and Meza-Hernandez got into a car. Turcios aimed the vehicle at the victims, and at a high rate of speed, drove into them, causing at least one victim to be struck by the vehicle and hit the front windshield, Donnelly said.
One victim was slashed in his arm, severing an artery, and was also stabbed in the neck. Another victim suffered three stab wounds to his back, resulting in a collapsed lung, prosecutors said.
"Today's guilty pleas are a testament to our steadfast obligation to ensuring the safety of every resident in Nassau and ridding these gangs from our streets," Donnelly said.
Meza-Hernandez is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in prison when he is due back in court on January 9. Turcios is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in prison on January 7, the D.A.'s office said.
