BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the extradition of a fugitive implicated in the murder of 15-year-old Faridun Mavlonov in Bensonhurst last summer. The suspect, 18-year-old Leopoldo Nash Montoya, was extradited from Panama and arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court before Justice Craig S. Walker.
Montoya faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree attempted gang assault, and third-degree assault. Held without bail, Montoya is scheduled to return to court on July 3, 2024. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison.
The incident occurred on July 17, 2023, when Montoya, reportedly acting with accomplices, attacked a 16-year-old boy and his group of friends. During the assault, Montoya discharged a firearm, striking Faridun Mavlonov, who later succumbed to a gunshot wound to the torso at a local hospital.
This arrest followed an extensive investigation, bolstered by video surveillance footage that led to Montoya’s identification. His arrest in Panama on June 5, 2024, and subsequent extradition reflect a significant collaborative effort between international law enforcement agencies.
District Attorney Gonzalez expressed hope that the prosecution of Montoya would offer some comfort to the victim’s family and friends, emphasizing the commitment to justice for Faridun Mavlonov and the Bensonhurst community.
