Prosecutors indict 13 suspected gang members

<p>Nassau authorities arrested 12 alleged members of a violent Hempstead street gang accused in a six-month string of crimes, including stabbings and shootings. Although 13 suspected Salvadorians with Pride gang members were indicted, one has still not been arrested.</p>

News 12 Staff

Mar 13, 2017, 3:44 PM

Updated 2,599 days ago

Share:

Prosecutors indict 13 suspected gang members
Nassau authorities arrested 12 alleged members of a violent Hempstead street gang accused in a six-month string of crimes, including stabbings and shootings.
Although 13 suspected Salvadorians with Pride gang members were indicted, one has still not been arrested. Prosecutors say they believe he got tipped off to the other arrests and fled.
In a 49-count indictment, prosecutors allege SWP carried out a war against rival gangs such as MS-13 and Vatos Locos. Prosecutors say this string of crimes started in May, and included numerous assaults, a hammer attack, five shootings and a stabbing in which the victim was stabbed 25 times.
Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas is also charging the reputed gang members with conspiracy, which increases potential prison time if they are convicted.
Among those arrested are Wilmer "Scrappy" Sandoval, 23, and Jimmy Bonilla, 27, known as "Gem Star." Singas says both are top members of the gang.
"These [original gangsters]  give orders and the more subordinate gang members are not allowed to disobey these orders," says Singas.
Sandoval's defense attorney Douglas Appel says his client was already facing other charges and said Sandoval was in jail at the time of some of the incidents.
In News 12 Long Island's "Gangs on Long Island" series, experts said that gang members routinely give orders to younger members from inside jail. It was not immediately clear if that was the case for Sandoval.
Sandoval was held without bail.


More from News 12
0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

1:56
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

0:43
Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees