New York gang leader pleads guilty in case involving eight murders

Accused MS-13 gang member Alexi Saenz is escorted by FBI agents (James Carbone/Newsday via AP)

A leader of an MS-13 gang in New York has pleaded guilty to racketeering and firearms charges in a case involving eight murders, including the 2016 killings of two high school girls who were hacked and beaten to death on Long Island.

Alexi Saenz entered the plea on Wednesday in federal court in Central Islip. Prosecutors previously withdrew an attempt to seek the death penalty in his case.