Admitted MS-13 member accused in fatal stabbing

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - UPDATE: Nassau County Police identified the human remains found in the area of Glenn Curtiss Boulevard in East Meadow as Carlos Rivas-Majano, 21, of Uniondale.

His accused killer, Carlos Benitez-Hernandez, said nothing as he walked out of Nassau County police headquarters Thursday morning. In court, the 21-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder.

Investigators said the self-admitted MS-13 gang member is one of several responsible for viciously slashing and stabbing a young man to death last year.

Benitez-Hernandez, who officials say is here illegally, was out on parole at the time of the alleged killing.

"There's at least five people involved. Most of these types of murders by MS-13 are done by at least that many, if not more," Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said.

Local and federal agencies found the remains of Rivas-Majano on Wednesday during a dig not far from a private school in East Meadow. They say the death was likely the result of the gang's displeasure with the man's actions but they couldn't elaborate.

This grisly discovery is far too familiar from others in the past. According to Nassau County police, there have been 10 MS-13-related homicides since 2016.

"It's somebody they know and that person has been lulled into a false sense of security," Fitzpatrick said.  "Smoke marijuana, hang out, have a little meeting. They just don't know… they're marked for death."

Benitez-Hernandez has a violent criminal history including gang assault and weapons charges, police said. He is being held without bail and is due back in court on September 4.