3 Men Indicted In 'Brutal' Long Island Slaying: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Three men each face a murder charge in connection with the slaying of a Salvadorian national in Central Islip, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said on Monday.

Brayan Heredia Escobar, 19, of Guatemala; Jhon Lopez Campos, 18, of El Salvador; and Julio Beltran, 39, of El Salvador, were each charged with second-degree murder in connection with killing Candido Guadalupe Saravia Martinez, a 39-year-old Salvadoran national, Tierney said.

"This alleged murder was brutal," Tierney said in a news release. "We will not tolerate such violence in Suffolk County. Violence such as is alleged here, affects us all, and we remain dedicated to holding these offenders responsible for their actions."

On Feb. 18, Suffolk police found the body of Saravia Martinez inside a tent on the side of Suffolk Avenue, just east of Carleton Avenue, in Central Islip, prosecutors said. Saravia Martinez was found with a rope tied around his neck, under which ligature marks were visible, officials said. Police observed that he appeared to have blunt force trauma to his face, and a stab wound to his neck, authorities said.

Each of the defendants, as well as Saravia Martinez, are believed to have been living without a known address in Central Islip, the DA said.

Inside the tent, police recovered a machete, as well as a knife covered in blood, lying on top of Saravia Martinez's neck, authorities said.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that Saravia Martinez died of a combination of blunt force trauma, strangulation, and a stab wound to the neck that lacerated his carotid artery, officials said.

Video surveillance was obtained from several businesses on Suffolk Avenue, including one across the street from where Saravia Martinez’s body was found, investigators said. The surveillance shows the three defendants running from the tent after the slaying and entering a business, prosecutors said.

Heredia Escobar was arraigned on March 18 on a second-degree murder charge, the DA said. He was ordered remanded while his case is heard. He is due back in court on March 27 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Pete Mayer.

Lopez Campos was arraigned on March 19 on a second-degree murder charge, the DA said. He was ordered remanded while his case is heard. Lopez Campos is due back in court on April 23 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Christopher Gioe.

Beltran was arraigned on March 24 on a second-degree murder charge, the DA said. He was ordered remanded while his case is heard. Beltran is due back in court on April 10 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Katherine Fernandez.