Three high-ranking members of the MS-13 street gang have pleaded guilty to their involvement in a series of brutal murders in the New York City suburbs, specifically occurring between 2016 and 2017. The individuals, Kevin Torres, David Sosa-Guevara, and Victor Lopez-Morales, admitted to orchestrating nine killings, using machetes and firearms to carry out their violent acts, as reported by (AP News) and (Newsweek).

The brutality of these crimes was evident, with several of the victims reportedly being suspected members of rival gangs. Bodies were often hidden in secluded parks and wooded areas, left undiscovered for extended periods or buried in shallow graves. Prosecutors noted that many murders were carried out to instill fear and enhance the gang’s power within the community. Among the deceased were names such as Samuel Martinez-Sandoval and Javier Castillo, victims of the gang's violent spree.

Kevin Torres, aged 29, served as the New York regional leader of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside, while Sosa-Guevara, 33, led the Hollywood Locos Salvatruchas. Lopez-Morales, 36, held a significant position within the gang. Each is now facing decades behind bars; under their plea agreements, Torres and Sosa-Guevara could be sentenced to up to 65 years, while Lopez-Morales faces a maximum of 60 years as per judicial guidelines.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly commented on this situation, stating, “These defendants carried out vicious and senseless violence to instill fear and assert their dominance,” echoing the sentiment that these guilty pleas are a step toward reducing gang activities in Nassau County.

The actions of these gang members are part of larger concerns regarding MS-13, a gang established in the mid-1980s amidst the civil turmoil in El Salvador. As President-elect Donald Trump's administration proposes a stringent approach to gang violence and border security, the implications of these cases reflect ongoing law enforcement struggles against organized crime.

The three defendants eagerly await their sentencing in federal court in Central Islip, where they will face stern repercussions for their gang-related activities.

For further details, refer to the original articles in AP News and Newsweek.