MS-13 Gang Member ‘Funny’ Sentenced to 60 Years After Ordering Killings of Two Teens

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Mason Hart

3 min read

Race Day Live (New York City, NY) – A high-ranking member of the murderous migrant gang MS-13 called “Funny” couldn’t stop smiling in federal court Tuesday, despite receiving a 60-year sentence for seven savage murders.

Jairo Saenz, a leader of the gang’s Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside branch, laughed as he pleaded guilty to his role in fatal attacks dating back to 2016, including giving the order to kill two high school girls who the gang claimed had disrespected them on social media.

Brentwood High School girls Kayla Cuevas, 16, and Nisa Mickens, 15, were beaten and hacked to death on September 13, 2016, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Saenz, 28, and his brother, Alexi, were among the alleged MS-13 members indicted by the US in 2017.

Alexi Saenz, also known as “Blatsy” and “Plaky,” pled guilty to eight killings, including the two teens, in July and faces up to 70 years in jail — with the arrangement contingent on his brother entering a plea.

That finally happened on Tuesday.

“Today, Jairo Saenz pleaded guilty to seven murders that can only be described as barbaric, and multiple acts of senseless gang violence that had turned parts of Long Island into a war zone,” Acting US Attorney Carolyn Pokorny said in a statement after the proceedings.

MS-13 Gang Member 'Funny' Sentenced to 60 Years After Ordering Killings of Two Teens (1) — Jairo Saenz, nicknamed “Funny,” was all smiles in federal court, where he was hit with a 60-year sentence for seven murders, racketeering, arson and attempted murder.

“It is my sincere hope that today’s guilty plea brings some measure of solace and closure to the families of the defendant’s victims who continue to mourn the deaths of their loved ones,” Pokorny said.

Jairo Saenz couldn’t stop smiling in court, turning numerous times to look at his mother and sister.
In addition to the adolescents he ordered slain, Saenz acknowledged to killing Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla inside an East Islip deli on Jan. 30, 2017, because he wore a No.18 jersey, which the gang mistook for a member of a rival crew.

On Oct. 10, 2016, he ordered the murder of 15-year-old Javier Castillo, who was hacked to death in Freeport as a reputed rival, and three days later, he drove three MS-13 members to kill Dewann Stacks, believing him to be linked with a rival gang.

Saenz pleaded guilty to racketeering, arson, and attempted murder counts.

Mason Hart

Mason Heart is your go-to writer for the latest updates on Social Security, SNAP, Stimulus Checks, and finance. With a knack for breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand language, Mason ensures you stay informed and ahead in today's fast-paced world. Dedicated to keeping readers in the loop, Mason also dives into trending stories and insights from Newsbreak. When Mason isn't crafting engaging articles, they're likely exploring new ideas to make finances more approachable for everyone.