MS-13 gang members executed two of their own on Long Island for the ultimate sin in their brutal code: disloyalty – one for associating with rivals, the other for suspected cooperation with authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Five MS-13 members have been charged with the brutal murder of Yoneli Ramos-Moreno for allegedly associating with the rival Latin Kings gang.
- Carlos Lopez-Lopez, who participated in Ramos-Moreno’s murder, was later killed by the same gang members for suspected cooperation with law enforcement.
- The murders involved exceptionally brutal methods, including drowning, beating, stabbing, and strangling.
- Federal authorities are pursuing a comprehensive crackdown against MS-13 on Long Island, with over 120 members arrested and convicted in the past decade.
- The indictment is part of a larger 70-count case against 25 MS-13 members in New York’s Eastern District.
Brutal Enforcement of MS-13’s Loyalty Code
In a chilling demonstration of MS-13’s ruthless internal discipline, five gang members have been indicted for the savage murder of two of their associates on Long Island. The primary victim, Yoneli Ramos-Moreno, was killed in Kings Park in 2023 after gang leaders determined he had committed an unforgivable violation of their code: maintaining friendly relations with members of the rival Latin Kings gang. Federal prosecutors describe the execution as particularly brutal, involving drowning, beating, stabbing, and strangling the victim in a methodical elimination of someone they viewed as a traitor.
The defendants, identified as members of the MS-13 Hollywood and Carlington cliques, allegedly carried out the murder under the gang’s strict code that demands absolute loyalty and prohibits any association with rival organizations. This case highlights how MS-13’s violence is directed not only at enemies and civilians but also ruthlessly enforced within their own ranks. All five accused gang members are currently being held in federal custody without bail as they await trial for murder and additional drug trafficking charges.
“The legal terms in the indictment cannot adequately describe the sheer savagery with which the defendants, in service to the MS-13 gang, beat, strangled and murdered Ramos-Moreno and plotted to murder Lopez-Lopes,” said Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for New York’s Eastern District.
A Second Murder for Suspected Cooperation
The brutality of MS-13’s internal discipline was further demonstrated when Carlos Lopez-Lopez, one of the individuals who participated in Ramos-Moreno’s murder, later became a victim himself. After his involvement in the first killing, gang leaders became suspicious that Lopez-Lopez was cooperating with federal authorities. Without hesitation, they ordered his execution, carrying it out with the same brutal efficiency. This second murder underscores the gang’s paranoia about law enforcement infiltration and their willingness to eliminate anyone they suspect of betrayal.
The cycle of violence reveals the precarious position of MS-13 members, who face death not only from rival gangs and law enforcement operations but also from their associates at the slightest suspicion of disloyalty. Both murders demonstrate the central role that intimidation and internal terror play in maintaining the gang’s discipline and cohesion. Gang members operate knowing that any perceived misstep could result in their execution at the hands of their supposed allies.
Broader Federal Crackdown on MS-13
These murders are part of a larger pattern of violence that has prompted an intensified federal response against MS-13 operations on Long Island. The five defendants are among 25 MS-13 members and associates charged in a sweeping 70-count indictment in the Eastern District of New York. The charges range from murder and assault to witness tampering, extortion, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and obstruction of justice. This coordinated prosecution reflects the government’s strategic priority to dismantle the transnational gang’s structure and operations in the region.
“This crackdown on transnational gangs demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to stopping the escalating violence linked to gang activity,” said James T. Hayes, Jr.
Federal authorities have made significant progress in their campaign against MS-13, with over 120 members arrested and convicted in the past decade in this district alone. The investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including ICE, FBI, and local police departments, working in a coordinated effort to root out the gang’s influence. Defendants face severe penalties, including life imprisonment for those charged with murder, reflecting the government’s determination to permanently disrupt the gang’s operations on Long Island.
“The charges in the indictment demonstrate my office and our law enforcement partners’ resolve to hold vicious transnational organized crime groups like MS-13 accountable for their crimes and continue the mission to eradicate them from Long Island,” said Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for New York’s Eastern District.
International Threat Requires Sustained Response
MS-13’s operations on Long Island represent just one fragment of a larger international criminal organization with roots in Central America. The gang has established a reputation for extreme violence, with particular brutality reserved for those they consider traitors. Under President Trump’s administration, federal authorities have maintained pressure on the organization, recognizing that its transnational nature requires a sustained, coordinated law enforcement response. The indictments in these cases demonstrate the continuing commitment to dismantling MS-13’s presence across American communities.
“The indictment of these five individuals connected to the brutal executions of two people — all because they were viewed as disloyal — is a clear demonstration of our commitment to hold these defendants accountable,” said Kevin Catalina, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge.
As federal prosecutors move forward with these cases, they emphasize that the charges remain allegations until proven in court. However, the evidence gathered points to a disturbing pattern of internal violence that highlights the dangers posed by MS-13 not only to the broader community but also to its members who fall under suspicion. Law enforcement officials remain committed to their strategy of systematically dismantling the gang’s networks and bringing its members to justice.
