Long Island Man Indicted In 33-Year-Old Mom's Slaying

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Long Island man faces upgraded charges after prosecutors allege he shot a 33-year-old mom in the face in a desolate area and then was caught moments later emerging on video surveillance carrying what appears to be the murder weapon in his hand.

In a bail application, Suffolk prosecutors say Anthony Santiesteban, 30, of Centereach, can be seen in surveillance video holding a lengthy conversation with Martina Thompson of East Patchogue, then following her "into a desolate fenced area" in the rear parking lot of a strip mall in Coram where it's alleged he shot her once in the face.

In video, Santiesteban, unmasked and wearing distinctive clothing, can be seen immediately after walking out of the fenced area with what appears to be the murder weapon, a semi-automatic handgun, in his hand, according to the bail application.

The murder weapon, a loaded and defaced 9 mm handgun, was found in Santiesteban’s bedroom during a raid on Nov. 2, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors called Santiesteban a flight risk and noted he has prior violent felony convictions, including one for first-degree burglary in 2016, as well as other burglary charges and reckless endangerment, for a home invasion.

District Attorney Ray Tierney said Santiesteban killed Thompson "in a brazen and thoughtless manner," adding that he "was caught with the murder weapon in his hand on high-definition video.”

“Violent crime, particularly gun violence, will not be tolerated in Suffolk County," he said. "These cases are a priority, and we will do everything in our power to put a stop to the violence.”

Santiesteban is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 25 years to life based on the top count, as well as a consecutive sentence of up to 15 years in prison on the weapons charges.

Santiesteban has been ordered held at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverside without bail.

His attorney, John Manley of Hauppauge, declined comment on the case.

Santiesteban is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 13.