MS-13 Member Extradited From El Salvador For LI Slaying: FBI

Freeport NY

06 November, 2020

3:33 PM

Description

FREEPORT, NY — An accused MS-13 gang member, wanted for multiple crimes including the murder of a man in Freeport in 2016, was extradited from El Salvador to the United States the morning to stand trial. Eduardo Portillo, 23, also known as Firuli and Tito, was arrested in Morazán, El Salvador on Feb. 23, 2019. His extradition was formally authorized by the Supreme Court of Justice of El Salvador on Oct. 6, 2020. "Bringing Mr. Portillo back to the U.S. to face justice for the heinous murder of a 15-year-old is a big step toward healing a family and community terrorized by MS-13," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney. "We have made incredible inroads with members of that community, building relationships and trust which are vital to keeping the violence at bay. But we're not done, and we have more work to do. We hope people see this action as a sign that the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force and our partners are not slowing down in our resolve to dismantle MS-13." Portillo was charged with the murder of 15-year-old Javier Castillo. Castillo, who was believed to be a member of the 18th Street Gang, which is a rival of MS-13, was lured to Cow Meadow Park in Freeport from his home in Central Islip with the promise of smoking marijuana. There, Castillo was killed by MS-13 members, including Portillo, officials say, who took turns hacking him with a machete. They then buried Castillo's body, which wasn't found until October 2017, prosecutors said. Portillo and 22 other MS-13 members are charged in an 89-count indictment with racketeering offenses, murder and narcotics trafficking. "Today's extradition of defendant Portillo demonstrates the resolve of law enforcement to bring to justice all gang members who commits violent crimes in our district no matter where in the world they may run and try to hide," said Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme. "I hope the extradition of the defendant and his prosecution in a U.S. court will bring some measure of closure to the family of the young victim."