Edwin Amaya-Sanchez sentenced to 292 months in prison for killing Jose Lainez-Murcia in Brentwood
Edwin Amaya-Sanchez, 29, of Brentwood. He is one of four members of the MS-13 gang who were charged in 2016 in connection with four killings in Suffolk County, allegedly as part of a violent spree that included attempted murder, arson, obstruction of justice and firearms violations, according to officials. Credit: Court Papers
A federal judge sentenced a member of MS-13 who acknowledged his role in the 2014 fatal shooting of a Brentwood man while pleading guilty to firearms charges to more than 24 years in prison on Friday.
Edwin Amaya-Sanchez, 36, pleaded guilty to brandishing and discharge of firearms during crimes of violence in April 2014. Prosecutors said the victim, Jose Lainez-Murcia, was shot and killed while sitting in a car outside his home on July 24, 2014, because Amaya-Sanchez and other gang members believed he was an assassin who had murdered MS-13 members in El Salvador.
“As Amaya-Sanchez admitted, the murder he committed was premeditated and brutal. Now he will have a long time to think about his cruel actions as he serves his sentence behind bars,” said Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Amaya-Sanchez was sentenced to 292 months in prison by U.S. District Court Gary R. Brown in federal court in Central Islip.
Prosecutors said Amaya-Sanchez, a member of the Guanacos Lil Cycos Salvatruchas clique who is also known as “Strong,” had worked with Lainez-Murcia and knew where he lived, what time he left for work, and the type of car he drove.
“Mr. Amaya-Sanchez is happy to put this sad story behind him,” the defendant’s attorney, John Buza, said.
Prosecutors said Amaya-Sanchez drove two gang members, each armed with a 9 mm handgun, to Lainez-Murcia’s neighborhood during the early hours of July 14, 2014, and dropped them off. When Lainez-Murcia left the house and entered his car, the MS-13 members approached and fired multiple times, killing him.
The gunmen then ran down the block, where Amaya-Sanchez picked them up and droves away.
Amaya-Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, was previously deported from the United States and illegally returned. He was initially arrested in 2015, in connection with federal immigration charges, which he pleaded guilty to in 2016. Upon completion of the 292-month sentence, the defendant faces deportation from the United States.
“Edwin Amaya-Sanchez's calculated actions to seek out the victim at his home are proof that he would stop at nothing to carry out his crimes,” Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Robert Waring said. “This sentencing sends a message that the Suffolk County Police Department and its law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to combat violent criminal enterprises and bring justice to the victims and their families.”
'This entire street is a hamburger highway' Join Newsday food writer Andi Berlin as she eats at burger restaurants along Long Beach Road, which she has dubbed the "Hamburger Highway."
'This entire street is a hamburger highway' Join Newsday food writer Andi Berlin as she eats at burger restaurants along Long Beach Road, which she has dubbed the "Hamburger Highway."
