JERICHO, NY — Federal and local law enforcement officials descended on the Underhill Preserve in Jericho this week after a suspected MS-13 gang member in custody tipped authorities off to the location of a possible murder victim. The grim discovery was made near Jericho High School, with the FBI confirming that “investigative activity” is ongoing in the area.
The body, whose identity and cause of death have not yet been disclosed, was located deep in the wooded preserve following information provided by the suspect. FBI agents and Nassau County police officers were seen removing evidence, including a large paper bag, from the scene. Officials have not confirmed whether the case is directly tied to any ongoing criminal investigations related to MS-13, but law enforcement sources believe the case may involve gang-related violence.
The discovery has renewed concerns about MS-13’s entrenched presence on Long Island, where the gang is known for its extreme brutality and targeted recruitment of minors. In a recent interview with NewsNation, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney described the group as “the most violent gang in the world,” noting that recruitment often starts with children as young as 12 or 13 years old.
“They’re going into the schools, and they’re recruiting the kids,” Tierney said, adding that the youngest members are frequently the drivers of violence. “Their purpose is to be the biggest, baddest gang in the world.”
This latest incident comes amid other troubling developments involving MS-13. Last month, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of an alleged MS-13 kingpin in Virginia. However, the Department of Justice this week abruptly dropped its case against the suspect, 24-year-old Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, a Salvadoran national who allegedly joined the gang in middle school. No explanation was given for the dismissal in the court’s brief filing.
The FBI has not yet confirmed whether the Jericho investigation will result in additional arrests or charges. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI or local authorities.
As the investigation continues, the discovery underscores the ongoing threat posed by violent transnational gangs on Long Island and the challenges law enforcement faces in dismantling them.
