Jose Cornejo is accused of participating in the brutal rape of a girl (Suffolk County DA)
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. — Police have charged three alleged gang members in the brutal rape of a 16-year-old girl and the beating of a boy near a Brentwood golf course last week. The trio, who are allegedly members of MS-13, pleaded not guilty and are being held without bail.
Joel Escobar, 17, Jose Cornejo, 17, and Bryan Larios, 18, are facing multiple counts, including first-degree rape charge and two counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree.
According to authorities, the three men approached the boy and girl at a footbridge and claimed they had a gun.
They told the girl to turn away while they robbed and beat the boy, stealing cash, a purse, an iPhone and an iPad, authorities said.
Prosecutors say they threatened to kill the girl if she doesn’t comply with their demands. They walked a half mile to a wooded area near the Brentwood Country Club, where they stripped the girl’s clothes and raped her repeatedly, while keeping a watch for witnesses.
After each defendant raped the girl, they fled on foot. She was later found by golfers wearing nothing but socks.
The boy suffered a fractured rib.
Police say the robbery happened around 6 p.m. May 29 and the sexual assault happened about an hour later.
