Suffolk Couple Pleads Guilty In Fatal Stabbing Of Man On Trail: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Port Jefferson Station couple pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the fatal stabbing of a man, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Thursday.

Jose Martinez-Vazquez, 25, admitted to fatally stabbing Benjamin Flores-Mendez, 39, of Port Jefferson Station, on the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail in 2021, and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, the DA said. Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera, 21, served as a look out while Martinez-Vasquez stabbed Flores-Mendez and pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, Tierney said.

"These defendants conspired to brutally take the life of Benjamin Flores-Mendez, and then did so in a place where Suffolk County residents should feel safe to walk, hike, or bike," Tierney said in a news release. "Violence is never the answer, and we will not rest until anyone committing such wanton acts are brought to justice."

On June 17, 2021, Martinez-Vasquez followed Flores-Mendez into the Port Jefferson Station entrance of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail, according to court documents. Martinez-Vazquez admitted to stabbing Flores-Mendez multiple times while Diaz-Cabrera, Martinez-Vazquez’s girlfriend, served as his lookout, investigators said.

Flores-Mendez was later discovered lying in the entrance of the trail by good Samaritans, officials said.

Suffolk County homicide detectives arrested Martinez-Vazquez and Diaz-Cabrera on March 5, 2023, authorities said.

Diaz-Cabrera pleaded guilty on April 22 and is due back in court for sentencing on Aug. 29. She is being represented by Luigi Belcastro.

Martinez-Vazquez pleaded guilty on July 25. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28. He is being represented by John Halverson.

Halverson nor Belcastro did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.