(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictments of Jose Martinez-Vazquez, 24, and Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera, 20, both of Port Jefferson for the fatal stabbing of 39-year-old landscaper, Benjamin Flores-Mendez.
“These defendants allegedly followed the victim and violently attacked him,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This was a senseless and cold-blooded execution of an innocent unsuspecting man. Bringing justice to Mr. Flores-Mendez and his loved ones is our priority as we continue to gather evidence for this heinous crime.”
On June 17, 2021, Martinez-Vazquez and Diaz-Cabrera, targeted Flores-Mendez and followed him into the Port Jefferson Station entrance of the Setauket-Greenway Walking Trail. The two allegedly acted in concert in the fatal stabbing of Flores-Mendez, who was discovered later with at least 10 stab wounds at the paved entrance to the trail shortly before 1 a.m.
Martinez-Vazquez and Diaz-Cabrera were arrested on March 5, 2023 and are charged with Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony.
On March 28, 2023, Diaz-Cabrera was arraigned before County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis who ordered her held without bail. She is due back in court on April 25, 2023.
Her co-defendant, Martinez-Vazquez was arraigned on the indictment on March 27, 2023. Judge Wilutis also ordered him held without bail. His next court date is April 26, 2023.
Martinez-Vazquez is being represented by John Halverson, Esq. and Diaz-Cabrera is being represented by Luigi Belcastro, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Tara Laterza of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.