A woman who was found guilty of enticing five young men into a park in Long Island, where they were brutally attacked by members of the MS-13 gang resulting in the death of four of them, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.
The brutal 2017 attack stunned Central Islip and the nation.
In April 2022, a jury convicted Leniz Escobar, 24, also known as “La Diablita” or “Little Devil,” for the murders of Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobos. The ages of the victims ranged from 16 to 20. She was sentenced on Tuesday.
Escobar faced accusations of luring individuals into the park for the purpose of marijuana consumption. Once they arrived, gang members surrounded and attacked them with machetes, knives, an axe, and clubs.
One managed to flee. The last four were killed.
MS-13 members believed they were “members of a rival gang, at least two of whom had disrespected the MS-13 by posting photos on social media,” according to prosecutors.
Escobar bragged about the attack, prosecutors say
According to the prosecution, Escobar boasted to other MS-13 members about her involvement in the killings that followed the incident.
“The U.S. Attorney, Breon Peace, expressed that the defendant showcased her loyalty to the MS-13 gang by enticing four young men to their tragic demise. He further added that he hopes the justice served today will bring solace to those who have suffered the loss of their loved ones due to this senseless act of gang violence.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy expressed her hope that the sentencing of Escobar would bring some justice to the families of the victims. Dennehy condemned Escobar’s twisted value system, which prioritized gang status over the sanctity of human life. Dennehy referred to Escobar’s boastful comments about her inhumane trap to ranked members as evidence of this perverted mindset.
Over a dozen individuals associated with the MS-13 gang have faced charges related to the attack, with Escobar being the fifth member to receive a sentence.
