WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Officials say a former police officer, who once shared a cell with Jeffrey Epstein, was convicted on Thursday of the murder of four men in 2015 in New York.
In a news release, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York said Nicholas Tartaglione was convicted of murdering Martin Luna, Miguel Luna, Urbano Santiago, and Hector Gutierrez in 2015.
Tartaglione, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office said was “a former police officer-turned drug dealer.” Tartaglione allegedly believed that Martin Luna stole money from him, so he devised a plan to confront him. Martin, unaware of Tartaglione’s plan, brought his two nephews, Miguel Luna, and Urbano Santiago, with him and a family friend, Hector Gutierrez.
Tartaglione reportedly tortured Martin and forced his nephews to watch, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office said, according to CNN. Tartaglione, along with two associates relocated Miguel Luna, Urbano, and Gutierrez to a remote location, forced them to kneel and shot them to death in the back of the head, according to CNN. All four men were buried in a mass grave, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office.
The bodies of the four men were found in December 2016 and according to CNN, the bodies were found on land that belonged to Tartaglione. Tartaglione pleaded not guilty to the charges against him that included four counts of murder and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Tartaglione was arrested shortly after. According to The New York Times, he shared a cell with Jeffrey Epstein.
Tartaglione reportedly told guards about Epstein’s suicide attempt in 2019. Epstein then allegedly accused Tartaglione of assaulting him. A prison guard, according to the Times, said Epstein’s story appeared to be a way for him to not be put on suicide watch. Epstein then killed himself shortly after.
“Tartaglione’s heinous acts represent a broader betrayal, as he was a former police officer who once swore to protect the very community he devastated. Today, a jury has found Tartaglione guilty of these heinous acts, sending a message that no one is above the law,” the U.S. District Attorney’s Office said.