Police in Nassau County have arrested almost 40 people in a sweeping effort aimed at dismantling MS-13’s presence on Long Island. The suspects face charges ranging from attempted murder to drug trafficking and weapons possession.
The operation, which unfolded over several nights, followed a spike in violent clashes linked to MS-13 and rival gangs. Investigators say the group has long used intimidation and brutal assaults to maintain control in parts of the county, and officials decided to act after recent flare-ups.
Prosecutors highlighted one case in particular — a violent attack during a soccer game last October at Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead. According to authorities, several young men armed with blades rushed the field, leaving six people badly injured. One of the victims required extensive surgery after suffering damage to internal organs.
Among those charged is a 21-year-old identified by prosecutors as a leading figure in the local branch of the gang. He now faces multiple attempted murder counts, along with additional charges connected to weapons and assaults. Law enforcement records show he had previous arrests in Nassau County in earlier years.
Four others, all under 21, were also indicted in connection with the park attack. Officials said they acted together with the alleged ringleader. Some of the men had crossed into the United States in recent years, investigators added.
Authorities linked members of the same group to a separate incident last December outside a laundromat in Uniondale, where machetes and pipes were used in another assault.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised the outcome of the raids, calling them a decisive step in removing violent offenders from neighborhoods. He said partnerships with federal authorities, including immigration enforcement, had strengthened the county’s ability to pursue gang cases.
District Attorney Anne Donnelly added that MS-13 has maintained a foothold in the region for decades. She stressed that dismantling such networks requires sustained cooperation across local and federal agencies.
The raids were prompted not only by past attacks but also by concerns over escalating tensions between MS-13 and competing groups such as the 18th Street gang and the Trinitarios. Police say disputes often begin online or during chance encounters in public areas, but quickly spiral into violence.
During a late-night patrol with officers in Hempstead, one arrest was made of a man linked to the Trinitarios gang. Police said they found packaged narcotics and a firearm in his vehicle. Detectives believe he is connected to prior violent activity in the area.
Sgt. John Schmitt of the Nassau Police Department explained that nearly all of the gangs operating locally arm themselves heavily. “The gang members out here carry weapons — machetes, knives, even firearms,” he said.
Officials emphasized that while these arrests represent progress, law enforcement remains on high alert. Nassau police said gangs continue to recruit teenagers and engage in turf battles. Authorities vowed to continue pursuing suspects until residents feel safe from the cycle of violence that has troubled Long Island communities for years.
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