Three Huntington Station residents have been indicted in what prosecutors say was a murder-for-hire plot tied to an illegal dental practice, culminating in the 2022 fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man outside his home.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Yolani Mejia Carranza, 56, Daniel Kersey, 35, and Aldo Esmizadeh, 70, were charged in connection with the killing of Byron Martinez. Authorities allege the murder was orchestrated to prevent Martinez and his mother from reporting Mejia Carranza for practicing dentistry without a license.
Core Details
According to prosecutors, Martinez’s mother sought dental treatment from Mejia Carranza in 2022. After experiencing serious complications, she learned it would cost thousands of dollars to fix the work. She demanded reimbursement and warned that her son had recorded Mejia Carranza performing the procedure and would report her to authorities.
Investigators say Mejia Carranza then contacted Esmizadeh to find someone who could “hurt” the victim and his mother. Esmizadeh allegedly connected her with Kersey, who agreed in late July 2022 to carry out the attack in exchange for payment.
Prosecutors allege Mejia Carranza and Esmizadeh conducted surveillance of the victims’ basement apartment and provided the location to Kersey. When no harm was carried out, Mejia Carranza allegedly escalated the plan, demanding that both the victim and his mother be killed and refusing payment until it was done.
On August 2, 2022, at approximately 1:18 a.m., Suffolk County police responded to a 911 call for shots fired at the residence. Officers found Martinez at the entrance with a gunshot wound to his upper back. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Shell casings and a black drawstring bag containing a cartridge were recovered nearby. An autopsy later determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the torso.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Mejia Carranza was arraigned April 23, 2026, on multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of Murder in the First Degree
- One count of Murder in the Second Degree
- Conspiracy and witness intimidation charges
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Unauthorized practice of dentistry
She was remanded without bail and faces life in prison without parole if convicted of the top charge. She is due back in court May 20, 2026.
Kersey is scheduled to be arraigned April 24, 2026, on similar murder and conspiracy charges, along with criminal possession of a weapon. He was also remanded and faces life without parole if convicted. His next court date is June 3, 2026.
Esmizadeh was arraigned on conspiracy charges and is being held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured bond. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted and is due back in court May 11, 2026.
Expanded Context
Prosecutors say Mejia Carranza also faces a separate case involving three counts of unauthorized practice of a profession for allegedly performing dental procedures on multiple individuals between November 2024 and March 2025 out of a residence in Bay Shore. Each count carries a potential sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison.
Kersey is separately charged in a five-count indictment alleging sex trafficking and promoting prostitution between spring and fall 2022. Authorities allege he exploited a victim’s drug addiction, monitored her movements, and threatened violence to force her into sexual acts for profit. He faces up to 25 years in prison on the top charge in that case.
Legal Stakes
The top charges of first-degree murder carry the possibility of life in prison without parole. Prosecutors described the case as a calculated effort to silence potential witnesses and protect an illegal business operation.
District Attorney Tierney said the indictment reflects the office’s commitment to pursuing justice for Martinez and his family.
Closing
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty or are expected to do so. The investigation remains ongoing.
Criminal charges are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Photo: SCPD.
