Five men prosecutors say are members of MS-13 pleaded not guilty Monday in Central Islip federal court to charges outlined in a racketeering indictment unsealed March 16.

The indictment said Enrique Portillo, 20 of Brentwood, Alexi Saenz, 22, and Jairo Saenz, 20, both of Central Islip, were involved in the 2016 murders of Brentwood High School students Nisa Mickens, 15, and Kayla Cuevas, 16, and the 2017 slaying of Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla, 29, who was gunned down after he entered a Central Islip deli.

Defendants Mario Aguilar-Lopez, 18, of Brentwood, and Jose Suarez, 23 of Central Islip, according to the indictment, was also involved in Alvarado-Bonilla’s murder. The five defendants are scheduled to return to U.S. District Judge Joseph Bianco’s courtroom on June 25.

The indictment says the killings were motivated by the defendants’ desire to maintain and increase their position in the MS-13 gang.

Their attorneys could not be reached.

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME