4 alleged MS-13 gang members indicted in 2016 machete murder in Massapequa

Four alleged MS-13 gang members have been indicted in the 2016 machete murder of a teen in the Massapequa Park Preserve.

News 12 Staff

Jan 24, 2020, 2:25 AM

Updated 1,546 days ago

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Four alleged MS-13 gang members have been indicted in the 2016 machete murder of a teen in the Massapequa Park Preserve.

Jeustin David Maldonado and Christian Rodriguez have been indicted on murder and conspiracy charges. The two men, who are both in their 20s, are believed to be members of MS-13.

Raul Ponce, 21, and Gerson Stanley Juarez, 23, were also charged in the indictment. The two, who were previously charged with murder in a previous indictment, were charged with conspiracy.

Police say the defendants were part of a group of five men who lured Bryan Lemus to the park before killing him. Lemus' remains were found in May.

Ponce's brother, Samuel Ponce, 18, was previously indicted for the murder. He faces a potential maximum of 15 years to life in prison.

If convicted, four of the suspects face 50 years to life in prison.


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