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MS-13 Westside Leader Alexi Saenz Sentenced to 68 Years for Eight Long Island Murders

The sentence marks the culmination of a multiyear DOJ effort to dismantle the gang’s local leadership after a rash of killings that drew national attention.

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Alexi Saenz (U.S. Attorney's Office)
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Overview

  • Judge Gary Brown imposed a 68-year term, two years less than the maximum 70 years sought by prosecutors.
  • Saenz pleaded guilty in 2024 to ordering eight killings, including the machete slayings of Brentwood teens Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens.
  • Prosecutors cited evidence of his continued MS-13 ties in custody, pointing to contraband cellphones, prison photos with gang members and assault infractions.
  • Defense attorneys urged a 45-year term based on Saenz’s demonstrated remorse, intellectual disabilities and traumatic upbringing in El Salvador.
  • Saenz also admitted to arson, firearms offenses and drug trafficking whose proceeds funded the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside clique’s operations.