A Maryland woman became the third suspect arrested in what authorities have described as the gang-motivated killing of a teenager found dead in Massapequa Preserve six months ago, Nassau County police said.
Laura Christina Campos, 28, of Bladensburg, Md. was charged Thursday with second-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Kevin Granados-Coreas of Rosedale, police said.
Her arrest comes a month after Carlos Portillo, 22, of Hempstead, and 19-year-old Kevin Granados-Coreas of Rosedale were each charged with second-degree murder in the case.
Homicide Squad detectives alleged that the two men killed Julio Cesar Gonzales-Espantzay to gain stature in their gang, MS-13, which authorities have blamed for a slew of other recent murders on Long Island.
Police had initially released a sketch of the victim before he was identified two weeks after his discovery in the preserve near Seaview Avenue and Ocean Avenue at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 23.
The arrests come after Nassau police said they are adding security cameras to the preserve to deter crime in the area, which included several cases of nude men harassing female joggers along the pedestrian path in the park last year.
Portilla and Granados-Coreas both pleaded not guilty and were ordered held without bail. Portilla is due back in court Oct. 4 and Granados-Coreas is due back Oct. 13. Campos will be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.
