MS-13 Members Sentenced For 2017 Machete Murder: Nassau DA

MINEOLA, NY — Two MS-13 gang members have been sentenced for their roles in an August 2017 machete murder.

Luis Alejandro Valera a.k.a. Felon, 24, of Mineola, and William Reyes-Fuentes a.k.a. Desobediente, 27, from Uniondale. pleaded guilty on June 24 for second-degree murder and second-degree conspiracy, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.

Judge Teresa Corrigan sentenced Varela to 21 years to life in prison and Reyes-Fuentes was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison, the DA's office said.

The body of Carlos Rivas-Majano who was murdered by a machete, was discovered on a wooded area of the Meadowbrook Parkway in 2018, Donnelly said.

"MS-13 members Luis Alejandro Varela and William Reyes-Fuentes participated in one of the most violent murders this county has ever seen," Donnelly said. "The defendants and their co-conspirators mercilessly hacked Carlos Rivas-Majano to death and left his body in a nearly inaccessible place near the Meadowbrook Parkway. Thanks to extraordinary work from our prosecutors and detectives, we were able to find Carlos’ body and bring his killers to justice."

Cases against co-defendants Carlos Benitez-Hernandez a/k/a Malaspecto, and Jose Quintanilla-Cruz a/k/a Destructo and Destructor, and Nerlin Chacon-Ruano a/k/a Callajero are pending.