District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced on Friday that a fugitive who fled to Panama after allegedly shooting a teenager in Bensonhurst last summer has been extradited to Brooklyn to face charges in the boy’s death.

Defendant Leopoldo Nash Montoya, 18, formerly of Brooklyn, was arraigned on Friday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Craig Walker on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree attempted gang assault and third-degree assault. 

He was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on July 3, 2024. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

“This defendant was returned to Brooklyn from Panama and will now be brought to justice for allegedly killing Faridun Mavlonov, who was just 15 years old and had his whole life ahead of him,” DA Gonzalez said. “Hopefully, this prosecution will bring some solace to Faridun’s heartbroken family and friends.”

According to the investigation, on July 12, 2023, in the vicinity of 20th Avenue and 60th Street in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, the defendant, acting in concert with others, allegedly punched and kicked a 16-year-old boy, causing physical injuries.

Furthermore, on July 17, 2023, at approximately 1 p.m., in the vicinity of 20th Avenue and 62nd Street in Bensonhurst, the defendant allegedly displayed a firearm and repeatedly discharged it at the 16-year-old boy, who was walking with a group of friends. The defendant struck one of the individuals in the group, Faridun Mavlonov, 15, who was rushed to a local hospital and died the following day from a gunshot wound to the torso that perforated his heart.

Following an investigation, including a review of extensive video surveillance footage, the defendant was identified. He was arrested in Panama on June 5, 2024, and returned to Brooklyn yesterday.