Alleged MS-13 Gang Member Charged In 2 Murders On Long Island
ROOSEVELT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – A fifth alleged MS-13 gang member has been charged in the death of a teen on Long Island.
The remains of Angel Soler were discovered last October in a wooded area near the Roosevelt Preserve.
On Thursday, Nassau County police announced the arrest of 20-year-old Kevin G. Lopez-Morales. He was charged with two counts of murder.
Authorities said Lopez-Morales was also tied to the 2016 death of Josue Amaya Leonor.
"Kevin is involved with the Hollywood clique of the MS-13, he was involved with both murders. Our intensive investigation between the DEA, the FBI and Homeland Security with information (from) all three aspects, as well as our own, has led us to him," Nassau County Police Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said Friday.
Since 2016, a staggering 10 MS-13 victims have been unearthed in Nassau County, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
But officials say the violent gang and its many rival factions no longer have a stronghold there. They say intense cooperative police work is paying off.
"If MS-13 perceives you to be a member of another gang or perceives you to be an enemy, they will target you. And the message is: Don't do it, don't join the gangs. We have services available," said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.
Josue Figueroa-Velasquez, David Sosa Guevara and two other people have also been charged in Soler's death. Some other suspects are still on the loose, McLogan reported.