Evergreen Reporter

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Edwin Amaya-Sanchez, also known as “Strong,” a member of the Guanacos Lil Cycos Salvatruchas clique of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gary R. Brown to 292 months’ imprisonment. Amaya-Sanchez pleaded guilty in April 2018 to firearms-related murder charges in connection with his participation in the July 14, 2014 murder of Jose Lainez-Murcia, who was shot and killed while sitting in a car outside his home in Brentwood.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York Field Office; and Robert E. Waring, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence.

“As Amaya-Sanchez admitted, the murder he committed was premeditated and brutal. Now he will have a long time to think about his cruel actions as he serves his sentence behind bars,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue working tirelessly to eliminate MS-13 and the threat this transnational criminal enterprise presents to our community.”

“After ten years, justice has been served. In 2014, Edwin Amaya-Sanchez, an MS-13 gang member, meticulously planned the calculated murder of Jose Lainez-Murcia based upon unverified assumptions of his involvement in the deaths of former MS-13 affiliates. Today’s sentencing affirms the FBI’s relentless commitment to eradicating the presence of violent gangs in our neighborhoods,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Curtis.

“Edwin Amaya-Sanchez's calculated actions to seek out the victim at his home are proof that he would stop at nothing to carry out his crimes,” Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring said. “This sentencing sends a message that the Suffolk County Police Department and its law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to combat violent criminal enterprises and bring justice to victims and their families.”

As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum, prior court filings and statements during sentencing: Amaya-Sanchez and other MS-13 members orchestrated Lainez-Murcia's murder because they suspected him of being an assassin who had killed MS-13 members in El Salvador. Amaya-Sanchez knew where Lainez-Murcia lived because they previously worked together. On July 14, 2014, Amaya-Sanchez drove two other armed MS-13 members to Lainez-Murcia’s neighborhood where they fatally shot him when he entered his car.

Amaya-Sanchez is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who had been deported from the United States but returned illegally. He was initially arrested on September 21, 2015 for federal immigration charges. During today’s hearing, Judge Brown also sentenced him for time served following his guilty plea on immigration charges in April 2016. Upon completion of his prison sentence, he faces deportation from the United States.

Today’s sentencing is part of ongoing federal prosecutions targeting MS-13 members by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The MS-13 gang operates with thousands of members across various countries including El Salvador and Mexico but remains notably active on Long Island.

Since 2003, numerous MS-13 members have been convicted on federal felony charges within this jurisdiction primarily involving racketeering linked to violent crimes such as murders and assaults led by investigations from entities like FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force which includes multiple local law enforcement agencies.

The prosecution falls under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through collaborative efforts among various law enforcement agencies.

The government’s case is managed by Assistant United States Attorneys John J. Durham; Paul G Scotti; Justina L Geraci; Megan E Farrell.

Defendant:

Edwin Amaya-Sanchez (also known as “Strong”)

Age: 36

Brentwood New York

E.D.N.Y Docket No.:16-CR403(JFB)