KINGS PARK, NY – Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging five alleged MS-13 gang members in connection with two murders, including the brutal killing of a man in Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park and the execution-style murder of an associate suspected of cooperating with law enforcement.
The indictment, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, charges the defendants with racketeering, two murders, conspiracy to commit murder, and narcotics trafficking. The suspects – David Orellana-Aleman, Noel Portillo-Romero, Cruz Eduardo Sanchez-Gutierrez, Ernesto Torres-Hernandez, and Omar Zavala-Ventura — are all alleged members of MS-13 operating under the “Hollywood” and “Carlington” cliques active in Suffolk County.
According to authorities, the group orchestrated the murder of 21-year-old Yoneli Ramos-Moreno on October 28, 2023. Ramos-Moreno was allegedly lured to a remote area near Sunken Meadow Bluff in Kings Park under the pretense of a gang meeting. Once there, he was attacked, strangled, and beaten to death. Prosecutors say he had been falsely accused of associating with a rival gang.
Months later, on March 3, 2025, the same group allegedly turned on one of their own. Carlos Lopez-Lopez, who had reportedly participated in the first murder, was killed in Blue Point after fellow gang members suspected him of cooperating with investigators. Authorities describe this as an internal purge aimed at maintaining discipline and preventing law enforcement exposure.
Three of the defendants – Portillo-Romero, Sanchez-Gutierrez, and Torres-Hernandez – were arrested on June 24. Orellana-Aleman is currently in federal immigration custody, while Zavala-Ventura remains in FBI custody. All five defendants are being held without bail.
The indictment also links the group to drug trafficking operations on Long Island. Federal officials note that the case is part of a broader, long-running campaign targeting the violent transnational gang, which has been responsible for more than 75 murders prosecuted in the Eastern District of New York since 2010.
This latest indictment underscores the ongoing threat MS-13 poses to Long Island communities and highlights federal efforts to dismantle the gang’s regional leadership structure.
Top Questions About the MS-13 Kings Park Indictment
- Q: Who are the five individuals indicted in the MS-13 Long Island case?
A: The indicted individuals are David Orellana-Aleman, Noel Portillo-Romero, Cruz Eduardo Sanchez-Gutierrez, Ernesto Torres-Hernandez, and Omar Zavala-Ventura. All are alleged MS-13 members tied to the Hollywood and Carlington cliques. - Q: What murders are they accused of committing?
A: They are accused of killing two men: Yoneli Ramos-Moreno, who was murdered in Kings Park on October 28, 2023, and Carlos Lopez-Lopez, who was killed in Blue Point on March 3, 2025. - Q: Where did the first murder take place?
A: The first murder occurred at Sunken Meadow Bluff in Sunken Meadow State Park, located in Kings Park, Suffolk County. - Q: Why was Carlos Lopez-Lopez targeted by his own gang?
A: Authorities believe Lopez-Lopez was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement. As a result, his fellow gang members allegedly executed him in an internal purge. - Q: What charges are the five men facing?
A: They are charged with racketeering, two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and narcotics trafficking. - Q: Is this part of a larger crackdown on MS-13?
A: Yes. This case is part of an ongoing federal effort targeting MS-13 on Long Island. Since 2010, over 75 murders linked to the gang have resulted in federal charges in the Eastern District of New York. - Q: Are all five suspects currently in custody?
A: Yes. Three were arrested on June 24. One is being held by immigration authorities, and another is in FBI custody. All five are currently being held without bail.
