Leniz Escobar, also known as “Little Devil,” was sentenced to 50 years in prison for her involvement in the luring and murder of four men in a Long Island park. The US Judge Joseph Bianco stated that Escobar willingly and enthusiastically participated in planning and carrying out the April 2017 killings. She was convicted in 2022 on four counts of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of racketeering in connection with the crime. Escobar was only 17 at the time of the murders and convinced other MS-13 gang members to carry out the killings by showing them social media pictures of the victims allegedly mocking the gang with gang signs.
During her sentencing, Escobar expressed remorse for her actions and acknowledged the pain and heartbreak she had caused. She tearfully stated that she felt hurt by the consequences of her actions, as every breath reminded her that the victims were no longer alive and their families were suffering. Escobar expressed a desire to trade places with the victims to alleviate their pain if she could. Despite her remorse, Escobar played a significant role in orchestrating the murders by luring the victims to the park under the pretext of smoking marijuana with them. She also boasted about her role in the crime and instructed others to destroy evidence and evade investigators after the murders took place.
One of the motivations behind the killings was Escobar’s personal offense at one of the victims wearing items associated with the MS-13 gang, even though he was not a member. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Farrell described Escobar as one of the most culpable individuals in the plot, emphasizing that without her involvement, the murders would not have occurred. In addition to luring the victims to the park, Escobar played a key role in facilitating the murders by providing information and instructions to other members of the gang. The brutal nature of the killings, carried out with machetes, underscored the violent and predatory nature of the MS-13 gang.
Escobar’s sentencing to 50 years in prison reflects the severity of her crimes and the impact of her actions on the victims and their families. The judge highlighted Escobar’s active participation in planning and carrying out the murders, as well as her lack of remorse following the killings. The case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by gang violence and the devastating consequences that can result from involvement in criminal organizations. By holding Escobar accountable for her crimes, the justice system aims to provide a sense of closure and justice for the victims and their loved ones, while also sending a strong message that such heinous acts will not be tolerated in society.
