MS-13 gang members face drug, weapon charges, Nassau police say

Victor Leon, left, and Eric Monge, both of Queens, were arrested... — Victor Leon, left, and Eric Monge, both of Queens, were arrested after a traffic stop, police said. Credit: NCPD

By Deon J. Hamptondeon.hampton@newsday.comMarch 11, 2019

One MS-13 gang member was arrested on firearms and disorderly conduct charges and another for criminal marijuana possession after Nassau County detectives pulled them over Saturday night in Hempstead, police said.

Gang investigators stopped Victor Leon, 21, of Flushing, Queens, at 9:48 p.m. as he drove a 2015 Honda Accord with a defective headlight, police said.

Soon afterward, detectives saw Leon smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette, police said.

Detectives then saw passenger Eric Monge, 23, also of Flushing,, remove a handgun from his hooded sweatshirt, placing it under his legs in an attempt to hide it, police said.

Detectives found 13 plastic bags containing a substance believed to be marijuana in the car, police said. Gang and Homeland Security investigators are continuing to look into the matter.

Monge faced charges of criminal possession of a firearm as well as disorderly conduct from a previously issued arrest warrant, police said.

Leon was charged with two counts of criminal possession of marijuana, police said.

Both defendants were arraigned Monday at First District Court in Hempstead. Bond for Monge was set at $25,000 with cash bail at $12,500. Bond for Leon was set at $5,000 and cash bail at $2,500.