MS-13 Member Pleads Guilty To 2016 Massapequa Preserve Slaying

MASSAPEQUA, NY — An MS-13 gang member pleaded guilty today to the brutal murder of a Nassau teenager in the Massapequa Park Preserve in 2016.

Samuel Ponce, 20, of Hempstead, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Because he was 15 years old when he committed the crime, the maximum sentence is 15 years to life in prison. The Nassau County District Attorney's office said he is expected to be sentenced to 9 years to life on Aug. 25.

“Bryan Lemus was just 18 years old when he was viciously attacked and violently murdered with machetes by the defendant and multiple MS-13 members,” Said Acting DA Joyce Smith said. “The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office has for years been committed to prosecuting the brutal crimes of members of MS-13, to rid gang violence from the streets of Nassau County and secure justice for the victims and their families. I thank our partners at the Nassau County Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and FBI Long Island Gang Task Force for their assistance in this case.”

According to Smith, on Aug. 23, 2016, 18-year-old Bryan Steven Cho Lemus, who was a perceived enemy of the gang, was walking his dog on Arthur Street in Uniondale when he was lured to the Massapequa Preserve with promises of drugs and sex. Once there, Lemus was hacked to death with machetes by Ponce and other members of MS-13.

Lemus's body was found on May 24, 2019 in a shallow grave in the preserve by members of the Nassau County Police Department who were searching the area. Ponce was arrested on Sept. 17, 2019.

Multiple people have been charged in the murder of Lemus. The rest are awaiting trial.