Suffolk Reporter

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the sentencing of Jose Martinez-Vazquez and Tiffany Diaz-Cabrera, both residents of Port Jefferson Station, for their involvement in the fatal stabbing of Benjamin Flores-Mendez. Martinez-Vazquez, 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, while Diaz-Cabrera, 21, admitted to first-degree manslaughter.

District Attorney Tierney emphasized the significance of the sentences: "The lengthy prison terms handed down to both defendants reflect the severity of their actions and our commitment to public safety. This brutal attack on our greenway trail – a place meant for recreation and community gathering – shook our citizens to the core. With these sentences, we hope to restore a sense of security to our public spaces and deter future acts of violence."

Court documents reveal that on June 17, 2021, Martinez-Vasquez and Diaz-Cabrera followed Flores-Mendez into the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail. Martinez-Vazquez confessed to repeatedly stabbing Flores-Mendez while Diaz-Cabrera acted as a lookout. The victim was discovered at the trail entrance by passersby.

Both were arrested by Suffolk County homicide detectives on March 5, 2023. Martinez-Vazquez received his sentence on August 28, 2024: 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty on July 25, 2024. His legal representation was John Halverson.

Diaz-Cabrera's sentence was delivered on October 7, 2024: she will serve 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after her guilty plea on April 22, 2024. She was represented by Luigi Belcastro.

Assistant District Attorneys Elena Tomaro and Tara Laterza prosecuted the case with Detective James Hughes leading the investigation for Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.