Share this @internewscast.com

A female MS-13 gang member called “Little Devil” is currently on trial for allegedly luring numerous New York high school students into the hands of killers.

According to the New York Post, Leniz Escobar is on trial for the deaths of Michael Lopez, Justin Llivicura, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobos. She’s accused of coaxing the Long Island boys into a secluded Central Islip area, where MS-13 gang members were waiting for them, back in April 2017.

All fours boys were killed in the ambush, federal agents said Monday during a U.S. Circuit court hearing. They were beaten and hacked to death, then left their bodies in a nearby soccer field.

In a December 2019 ruling, US Circuit Judge Joseph Bianco said Escobar is accused of “instigating the murders, along with another juvenile female, by locating photographs of some of the victims flashing MS-13 gang signs on social media … and then showing those photographs to MS-13 members.”

The prosecution argued that Escobar was an associate of the gang and lured the victims in to gain favors with the MS-13 members. The gang members reportedly thought it was a “deep sign of disrespect”  for the victims to act like they were in the gang when they were not.

“They were just high school kids,” Assistant US Attorney Megan Farrell said during opening statements. “They were trying to look tough and get attention. The members of MS-13 saw these pictures on social media and saw these pictures as a deep sign of disrespect, enough to justify death.

One sole survivor of the ambush, who has only been identified as “Alex,” testified Monday.

“The MS-13 crew came out from the darkness, screaming orders that they were all to get down on the ground. The defendant pretended to be one of the victims and got down. The real victims took off running, but Alex was the only one fast enough to escape. The other four were hacked to death,” Farrell added.

Alex, who was 15 at the time of the attack, testified that Escobar chose the spot to meet in the woods, ABC 7 reports. While they were smoking marijuana, around 7 to 10 gang members emerged out of nowhere and started attacking the victims.

Alex said he jumped and ran when the gangsters told the boys to get down on their knees. Escobar got down with the rest of the victims, allegedly pretending to be a victim herself.

Defense lawyer Keith White argued that Escobar had no idea that the gang was going to attack the boys.

The trial is expected to last several weeks. Check back for updates.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to our latest episode below. 

Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most – your children.

[Feature Photo: Police Handout]

Source: This post first appeared on

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Unraveling the Mystery: Why Lindsey Halligan’s Name Remains on Multiple Legal Cases

Inset: Lindsey Halligan, special assistant to the president, speaks with a reporter…

Three Arrested for Brutal Flashlight Assault Resulting in Severe Head Injury, Police Report

From left: Weston Owen, Sara Bess and Kellar Weisgerber (Fruita Police Department).…

Pennsylvania Man Faces Charges in Chilling Murder-Suicide Staging Case

A Pennsylvania resident has been accused this week of murdering a woman…

Individual Charged with Sexual Assault of Three Minors at School Camp

An outdoor recreation instructor is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting three…

Tragic Incident: Adoptive Mother Accused in 11-Year-Old Daughter’s Death

Inset: Sherry Leak (Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Clover Estates Mobile…

Good Deed Gone Wrong: Woman Arrested After Swiping Truck from Kind-Hearted Stranger

By Staff GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 42-year-old woman, Melinda Marie Waters, was…

Slender Man Case: Group Home Departure Linked to Visitation Privilege Loss for Stabber

A man accused of assisting a Wisconsin woman in her escape from…

Aide to State Senator Arrested for Allegedly Starting House Fire with Two People Inside

This week, a legislative aide to a North Carolina state senator found…

Virginia High School Football Coach Disappears Amidst Playoff-Bound Season, Prompting Arrest Warrant

Authorities in Virginia are actively searching for a high school football coach…

Controversy Erupts as Source Challenges LAPD on California Teen Celeste Rivas’ ‘Partially Frozen’ Condition

A source has confirmed claims that Celeste Rivas, a young girl from…

Shocking Incident: Man Justifies Shooting Sleeping Roommate as ‘Worth It’ – Police Report Reveals Disturbing Details

Inset: Austin R. Gerads (Stearns County Jail). Background: The block in Minnesota…

Tragic Collision: Unmedicated Seizure Leads to Fatal Head-On Crash

Share A woman from New York has been sentenced over a year…