Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Gustavo Hernandez, 38, Walter Ramirez Jeronimo, 19, and Wilson Ramirez Jeronimo, 18, each from Farmingdale, were indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, Kidnapping in the First Degree, and Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, for their alleged participation in the abduction and murder of Juan Carlos Diaz Jeronimo, 48, of Amityville.
There is no known familial relationship between the victim, Juan Carlos Diaz Jeronimo, and the defendants.
“The allegations in this indictment are deeply disturbing. The brazen nature of this alleged crime, occurring in a public place during daylight hours, shocks the conscience and undermines our sense of community,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This indictment is our first step in pursuing justice for Juan Carlos Diaz Jeronimo and his family.”
According to the investigation, on the evening of June 21, 2024, the victim was walking on Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale when he was allegedly spotted by the defendants, who were in a Blue Isuzu Rodeo.
Video surveillance[2] shows the defendants allegedly exiting the vehicle, attacking the victim, and attempting to drag him toward the Isuzu. Their efforts were thwarted by a passing motorist, allowing the victim to escape to a gas station across the street.
The defendants allegedly followed the victim to the gas station. Video surveillance showed the Jeronimo brothers covering their faces and then, along with their uncle, allegedly beating the victim, knocking him to the ground, choking him, and violently forcing him into the trunk of the Isuzu. The alleged abduction was caught on video surveillance,[3] and occurred at a gas station in broad daylight.
After allegedly forcing the victim into the trunk of the SUV, the defendants drove to Belmont Lake State Park, and then back to Farmingdale where surveillance video captured them allegedly dumping the victim’s body on a residential street.
The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office noted that the victim suffered numerous injuries including but not limited to asphyxia due to neck compression, severe blunt force trauma of the abdomen, and what appeared to be a stab wound to his upper chest.
All three defendants were indicted for the following charges:
- Two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Class A-I felonies;
- One count of Kidnapping in the First Degree, a Class A-I felony; and
- One count of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony.
The charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Kidnapping in the First Degree each have a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
On August 1, 2024, the defendants were each arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis. Justice Wilutis ordered all three defendants be remanded without bail during the pendency of the case.
The defendants are due back in court on September 10, 2024. Hernandez is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq. Walter Ramirez Jeronimo is being represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq. Wilson Ramirez Jeronimo is being represented by Katherine Fernandez, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Sheetal Shetty and Eric Aboulafia of the Homicide Bureau, with the assistance of Aracelis Buchanan, the SCDA’s Victim Services Coordinator. The investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Repperger of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.