In a federal court in Central Islip, Jairo Saenz, known as "Funny," has pleaded guilty to racketeering charges related to seven murders and various other crimes. Saenz, a high-ranking member of the Brentwood/Central Islip chapter of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of MS-13, admitted his involvement in the killings of Michael Johnson, Oscar Acosta, Kayla Cuevas, Nisa Mickens, Javier Castillo, Dewann Stacks, and Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla. He also confessed to three attempted murders, arson, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and conspiracy to kill Marcus Bohannon.
The plea was made before United States District Judge Gary R. Brown. Under the plea agreement terms, Saenz faces a sentence ranging from 40 to 60 years in prison.
Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Carolyn Pokorny commented on the case: “Today, Jairo Saenz pleaded guilty to seven murders that can only be described as barbaric... It is my sincere hope that today’s guilty plea brings some measure of solace and closure to the families of the defendant’s victims who continue to mourn the deaths of their loved ones.”
Saenz's brother Alexi Saenz had previously pleaded guilty to similar charges in July 2024. The brothers were involved in multiple violent acts intended to maintain their status within MS-13.
Among these crimes was the murder of Michael Johnson on January 28, 2016. Johnson was targeted by MS-13 members at Jocorena Deli in Brentwood due to his alleged affiliation with a rival gang. The attack involved striking him with a baseball bat and machete.
Oscar Acosta was murdered on April 29, 2016. Suspected of associating with a rival gang after leaving MS-13, Acosta was beaten unconscious and later killed with a machete under the supervision of the Saenz brothers.
Other incidents include attempted murders on July 18 and August 10 in 2016 against suspected rival gang members. Additionally, an arson attack occurred on September 12 when MS-13 set fire to vehicles linked to rival gangs.
On September 13, 2016, Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens were murdered following disputes with MS-13 members. This attack was carried out using baseball bats and machetes.
Javier Castillo's murder took place on October 10 after being lured into an isolated area where he was attacked with a machete. Dewann Stacks was similarly killed on October 13 after being mistaken for a rival gang member.
The final murder attributed directly to Jairo Saenz occurred on January 30, 2017. Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla was shot inside El Campesino Deli because he wore clothing suggesting gang affiliation.
Beyond these violent acts, Saenz participated in drug trafficking from April 2016 through March 2017 alongside his brother Alexi. They distributed cocaine and marijuana for profit used partly for purchasing firearms.
This case forms part of broader efforts by federal authorities targeting MS-13 activities across Long Island through prosecutions led by agencies including FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force.