MS-13 GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MANSLAUGHTER

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Anthony Gutierrez Meza, 25, of Valley Stream, was sentenced to 22 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision, for his involvement in the death of 18-year-old Estiven Abrego Gomez in August 2016.

“There is no reasonable explanation that could ever justify this defendant’s conduct,” said District Attorney Tierney. “However, the defendant’s actions are made even more senseless given that he took the life of the victim for no other reason than to advance his position in the MS-13 gang.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 19, 2016, Gutierrez Meza lured the victim, Estiven Abrego Gomez, out of his home by Facebook messaging the victim asking to meet up to smoke marijuana. Gutierrez Meza, a member of the Normandy clique of Mara Salvatrucha-13 (MS-13), had previously requested permission to kill the victim, which was granted by a higher-ranking MS-13 gang member who did not participate in the attack.

In the early morning hours of August 20, 2016, the victim entered Greenlawn Park with Gutierrez Meza and another co-conspirator. 

Moments later, more co-conspirators entered the park walking towards the victim. The victim attempted to run away, but was punched by one of the co-conspirators, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Gutierrez Meza and the other co-conspirators proceeded to take turns hitting the victim with the bat, stabbing, and slicing him with the knives, and chopping at him with the machete until they were satisfied that he was dead. The victim’s injuries were so severe, both of his hands were nearly amputated. The defendants then fled the scene and left the victim in the park. Law enforcement conducted an extensive investigation and subsequently arrested Gutierrez Meza.

On May 30, 2023, Gutierrez Meza pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei.

On July 11, 2023, Judge Mazzei sentenced Gutierrez Meza to 22 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. Gutierrez Meza was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Kathleen Kearon of the District Court Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Pamela J. Bloomfield of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Suffolk County Police Department Detective Christopher Calvacca of the Homicide Squad.

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Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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