Jackson Heights Gang Member Jailed For Plot To Kill Rivals: DA

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS -- The last of four Queens gang members involved in a plot to kill two gang rivals is now behind bars, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Michael Cortes, 25, of Jackson Heights was sentenced to five years in prison on a criminal weapons charge after a lengthy police investigation busted him and three other reputed "Always Bangin' Kings" gang members in the murder plot just moments before they carried it out, said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

All four men are now behind bars, Brown said.

"Illegal guns in the hands of criminals is a serious threat to everyone in Queens County," he said. "Le this be a warning to anyone who purports to arm themselves with illegal guns: When you are caught, you will go to prison."

A wiretap on Cortes and his codefendants - Michael Aalil, Dionicio Castro and Francis Carias - revealed them plotting to kill the two rival gang members in December 2016, according to the charges.

All four men pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon in September 2017. Aalil and Castro were sentenced later that month to three years in prison and three years of probation.

Carias, a previously convicted felon, was sentenced that October to seven years of prison time and five years of probation. Cortes will also serve five years' probation after his prison sentence.

(Lead photo via Shutterstock)