4 reputed Trinitarios gang members sentenced in the death of Junior Guzman
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The final four reputed Trinitarios gang members charged in the 2018 killing of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz were sentenced Friday, a final chapter in a caught-on-camera murder that shocked New York City.
Jose Tavarez, Danel Fernandez, Gabriel Ramirez Concepcion, and Danilo Payamps Pacheco Ronald Urena each pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November and received prison sentences varying from 12 years to 18 years.
"Our prosecution against all 13 defendants involved in the murder ends today," Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said. "It brings closure in the criminal justice aspect but does not bring an end to the pain Junior's family and friends still suffer. They will never recover from their immense loss, but we hope it brings some peace to the community in knowing that these defendants will be in prison for years."
Guzman's mother, Leandra Feliz, gave an impact statement in court.
"I don't want to see another mother lose her son like I saw my son, Junior, like I lost my son Junior," she said at a briefing after the sentencing.
A fifth purported gang member, Luis Cabrera Santos, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced earlier this week to 12 years in prison.
"These six defendants, members of the Los Sures Trinitarios set, chased Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz and dragged him out of Belmont bodega where he was stabbed by five other defendants," Clark said. "Their unconscionable actions led to the death of the 15-year-old boy. The shocking viral video of the attack left the Bronx community -- and the world -- horrified at such complete disregard for human life."
On June 20, 2018, Diego Suero, the leader of the "Los Sures" set of the Trinitarios gang, and Frederick Then, second-in-command, summoned members to Suero's home and ordered them to commit violence against another set of the Trinitarios called "Sunset," prosecutors said.
A group came upon the Guzman, who fled from them, running approximately four blocks to a bodega in Belmont, where he tried to hide. According to prosecutors, the defendants were seen in surveillance footage entering the bodega and then dragging Guzman out of the store as he fought for his life.
When the victim was forcefully taken from the store, other defendants repeatedly stabbed and slashed him with knives and a machete, mistaking Guzman for a rival gang member.
In truth, Junior Guzman had wanted to grow up to be a police officer and spent time in the NYPD Explorers program, police said.
Suero and Then were found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced in September to 25 years to life in prison.
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