MS-13 operative known as “La Diablita” sentenced to 50 years in prison

NEW YORK – Woman has been convicted of luring five young men to a Long Island park They were attacked by members of the MS-13 gang, who killed four of themHe was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Tuesday.

The brutal attack in 2017 shocked Central Islip and the nation.

Leniz Escobar, 24, also known as “La Diablitaor “Little devil“was convicted in April 2022 in connection with the murders of Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre and Jefferson Villalobos. The victims were 16 to 20 years old. She was sentenced on Tuesday.

Escobar was accused of luring them to the park to smoke marijuana. When they got there, they were surrounded by gang members and attacked with machetes, knives, an ax and clubs.

One managed to escape. The other four were killed.

Prosecutors say they were targeted because MS-13 gangsters believed they were “members of a rival gang, at least two of whom had disrespected MS-13 by posting photos on social media.”

Escobar bragged about the attack, prosecutors say

Prosecutors say that after the attack, Escobar bragged to other MS-13 members about their role in the killings.

“The defendant demonstrated her loyalty to the MS-13 gang by luring four young men to their slaughter,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “I hope that the justice meted out today will bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones to this senseless gang violence.”

“Their subsequent bragging about their inhumane trap to high-ranking members is an example of Escobar’s perverse prioritization of gang status over human lives. May today’s sentencing provide some justice for the victims’ families,” said FBI Assistant Director Dennehy.

Since then, more than a dozen MS-13 gang members and associates have been charged in connection with the attack. Escobar is the fifth to be convicted.

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