DA: Gang Members Arraigned in Southold Shootings

Three members of the MS-13 street gang arrested last week in a shooting in Southold involving members of rival street gangs on the East End were arraigned today in criminal court in Riverhead on a grand jury indictment, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Suspected MS-13 members Jeremias Recinos Torres, 19, of Aquebogue, and Pedro Santamaria, 31, of Greenport, pleaded not guilty to two counts of gang assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a firearm. A third MS-13 suspect, Walter Vasquez, 17, of Greenport, also pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the assault charges in the indictment.

The fourth defendant, Freddy Torres Campos, 17, of Southold, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to six assault and gang assault charges.

According to Southold Town Police, the shooting incident stemmed from a dispute between MS-13 and 18th Street gang members four days earlier at the Third Street Park in Greenport.

Shortly after midnight on Oct. 14, the two victims, allegedly members of the 18th Street gang, were seen by the MS-13 members as they walked along Route 25 and South Harbor Road. During the confrontation, as many as five shots were fired from a .22 caliber handgun during the confrontation. During the investigation, town police recovered a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun.

State Supreme Court Justice William Condon unsealed the indictment and presided at each defendant’s arraignment.

The bail, defense attorney and next court date information for the four defendants:

• Justice Condon set $500,000 cash or $1 million bond on Walter Vasquez. Lane Bubka is his defense attorney. The next Court date is Thursday, Nov. 6.
• Justice Condon set $500,000 cash or $1 million bond on Jeremias Torres. Luis Pagan is his defense attorney. The next Court date is Friday, Nov. 21.
• Justice Condon set $500,000 cash or $1 million bond on Freddy Campos. Eric Besso is his defense attorney. The next Court date is Wednesday, Nov. 12.
• Justice Condon set $500,000 cash or $1 million bond on Pedro Santamaria. The Legal Aid Society is the attorney of record. The next Court date is Friday, Nov. 21.

All three were indicted on two counts of assault in the first degree, two counts of gang assault in the first degree and two counts of assault in the second degree. Sanatamara and Recinos Torres were also indicted on one count of criminal possession of a firearm.

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Police: Three Gang Members Arrested in Southold Shootings