John Mann IV of Centereach, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, United States was 17 when he and Henry Hernandez of Hempstead, Nassau County, Long Island became acquaintances in March 2019. The latter was 16.

Shortly after meeting Mann, Hernandez went to Mann’s home in Centereach and stole the truck of Mann’s father. On June 2, 2019, Mann lured Hernandez to a location in Centereach known as the Sand Pit where the former duct-taped the latter.

Mann used a blunt object to repeatedly strike Hernandez, placed the victim’s body in a hole and covered it with debris. Mann later moved Hernandez’ skeletal remains into a plastic tub and placed it on his next-door neighbor’s property.

On March 15, 2020, the remains were found at the property. On June 10, 2022, Mann was arrested.

On June 13, 2022, Mann was indicted before the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Karen Wilutis for second-degree murder. She ordered him held without bail.

On June 16, 2022, Mann pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. On March 17, 2023, he pleaded guilty before Judge Anthony S. Senft Jr. to first-degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence.

On April 19, 2023, Mann will be back in court for sentencing. Matthew Rosenbloom is representing the Centereach resident, who is expected to be sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.