Seven alleged gang members and associates have been indicted in the beating of a boy at the Long Island Rail Road station in Huntington Station, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said Friday.
One of the indicted remains at large.
The seven alleged members of Huntington Criminal Locates Salvatrucha or HCLS, a part of the MS-13 street gang, are facing a variety of charges in the attack on the 15-year-old boy after a minor lured him to the station on Jan.6.
Accused in the beating are: Josue Zepeda Padilla, Brayan Jimenez Avila, Yeison Chavez Campos, Maycoll Ramirez Cerrato and Marcos Serpos. They allegedy surrounded the boy, stole his money and property and punched and kicked him.
The five then allegedly forced the victim into a car driven by Maybelline Garcia Cornejo, who then allegedly drove the victim and the five to the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in Brentwood.
While on their way to Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, one defendant is alleged to have forcibly taken the victim’s cellular telephone.
After arriving at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, the defendants allegedly forced the victim to climb through a hole in the wall of an abandoned building. Each of the male defendants then allegedly punched, kicked, and beat him. During the assault, Zepeda Padilla allegedly stabbed the victim in the neck, causing a wound that required stitches to close. One defendant then allegedly hit the victim on the head with a hard object believed to be a rock, knocking the victim unconscious, and fracturing his skull.
After he regained consciousness, he escaped the building and walked down the road until he collapsed, but was found by a passerby. He required surgery, including a craniotomy, to treat the brain bleed and fractured skull.
“This indictment is an example of my office’s dedication and commitment to ensuring that gang members and associates who commit violence in Suffolk County are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent,” Tierney said. “The allegations of this indictment are horrific. Gang violence has no place in Suffolk County, and it will not be tolerated.”
Zepeda Padilla 26, of Huntington Station, Jimenez Avila, 23, of Amityville and
Huntington Station, Chavez Campos, 21, of Huntington Station, Ramirez Cerrato, 18, of Huntington Station, Serpos, 19, of Huntington Station, and Garcia Cornejo, 22, of Seaford, are each indicted on charges of:
One count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
One count of Gang Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
One count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony;
One count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony;
One count of Gang Assault in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;
Three counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony.
The minor was indicted for:
One count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
Two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
One count of Criminal Facilitation in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
On Jan. 30, Ramirez Cerrato was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr., who ordered that the defendant be held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court on March 4 and he is being represented by Ian Fitzgerald.
On Jan. 31, Chavez Campos was arraigned on the indictment before Senft,
who ordered that the defendant be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court on
Feb. 23, and he is being represented by Pierre Bazile.
On Feb. 2, Serpos and Garcia Cornejo were arraigned on the indictment beforeSenft, who ordered that Serpos be held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond, and that Garcia Cornejo be held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. Serpos is due back in court on Feb. 23 and he is represented by Xavier Palacios. Garcia Cornejo is due back in court on Feb. 20,and is represented by Peter Mayer.
On Feb. 6, Jimenez Avila and the minor were arraigned on the indictment before Senft, who ordered that Jimenez Avila be held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond, and the minor be held on $125,000 cash, $250,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. Jimenez Avila is due back in court on March 4 and is represented by George Duncan. The minor is also due back in court on March 4 and they are being represented by Robert Tsigler.
As of Feb. 9, Zepeda Padilla remains at large.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Suffolk County Police Department or Crime Stoppers at:
1-800-220-TIPS.
This case is being prosecuted by the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with investigative assistance of Detective Sean Walsh of the Suffolk County Police Department.
Great Job 2nd PCT and the SCPD.
Thank you