Sign in Subscribe
Murder

MS-13 Leader Faces Sentencing in Federal Racketeering Case

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The leader of an MS-13 clique in the suburbs of New York City, Alexi Saenz, is set to be sentenced in a federal racketeering case involving eight murders, including the 2016 killings of two high school girls that garnered national attention. Saenz pleaded guilty to his role in ordering and approving the killings, as well as other crimes, during a period of violent gang activity that prompted President Donald Trump to visit Long Island and call for the death penalty. Prosecutors are seeking a maximum sentence of 70 years, while Saenz's lawyers argue for a 45-year sentence, citing his remorse and intellectual disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Alexi Saenz, the leader of an MS-13 clique in New York City, is set to be sentenced for his role in ordering and approving eight murders, including the 2016 killings of two high school girls.
  • Saenz pleaded guilty to racketeering charges and admitted to authorizing and approving the killings, as well as other crimes such as arson, firearms offenses, and drug trafficking.
  • Prosecutors are seeking a maximum sentence of 70 years, citing Saenz's "senseless" and "sadistic" crimes.
  • Saenz's lawyers argue for a 45-year sentence, citing his remorse and intellectual disabilities, as well as his difficult upbringing in El Salvador.
  • Saenz has been in federal custody for the past eight years and has been disciplined for assaulting other inmates, refusing staff orders, and possessing contraband.
  • The MS-13 gang was founded in the mid-1980s in Los Angeles by people fleeing civil war in El Salvador and is believed to be a transnational criminal organization.

Statistics:

  • 8 murders, including the 2016 killings of two high school girls, for which Saenz has been convicted.
  • 37 years is the estimated amount of time Saenz spent in the MS-13 gang, according to prosecutors.
  • 45 years is the sentence being sought by Saenz's lawyers.
  • 70 years is the maximum sentence being sought by prosecutors.

Sources:

  • [Philip Marcelo, "MS-13 Leader Faces Sentencing in Federal Racketeering Case", AP News, [no date cited]](https://apnews.com/article/alex-saenz-ms-13-sentencing-new-york-city-ebd531b034947db7e1d4da0785857a9e)
  • [Associated Press, "MS-13 members accused of killings, racketeering", New York Times, April 27, 2022](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/27/us/ms-13-racketeering-charges.html)
  • [MS-13, "About MS-13", [no date cited]](https://www.ms13.org/about/)

Read more