Nassau DA: Three MS-13 gang members plead guilty in park attack

Three MS-13 gang members pleaded guilty this week to attempted murder in a 2016 attack on three teenagers in Hempstead Lake State Park, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. 

Christian Samuel Rodriguez, 21, of Hempstead, known as Stricto; Gerson Stanley Juarez, 22, called Angel Black; and Evilson Edgardo Orellana, 21, of Hempstead, known as Spider, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder before Judge Helene Gugerty, the district attorney's office said in a news release. They are to be sentenced in February and are expected to receive between 8 and 18 years in prison, as well as 5 years of post-release supervision. 

“MS-13 has terrorized our immigrant communities, killed innocent people and relentlessly targeted preteens for recruitment,” District Attorney Madeline Singas said in the release. “Three high school students were simply in the park to play soccer when these vicious gang members assaulted them with machetes in an unprovoked attack.”

Orellana pleaded guilty on Monday, while the other two suspects appeared before the judge on Wednesday, officials said.  Two of their attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment Friday. 

“I feel very bad for him, I don’t think he’s a bad kid," said Rodriguez's attorney, Ed Galison of Mineola. "He took a plea and he’s going to spend a great deal of time in jail.” 

A group of MS-13 members, including the trio in court this week, attacked three teenagers in the state park on May 23, 2016, the release stated. The gang members yelled "La Mara" and made the gang's hand signs, such as devil horns and the letters "M" and "S," the release said.

Orellana slashed one of the victims with a machete, causing a serious lower back wound, according to the release. Juarez slashed the other two in the back, causing open, gaping wounds. Rodriguez was identified as part of the group, which includes three others who previously pleaded guilty to attempted murder.