Bruce Silva, a/k/a “Brucie,” a Leader of the Dub City Gang and the Last of the 10 Defendants to Be Sentenced, Was Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced that BRUCE SILVA, a/k/a “Brucie,” a leader of the Bronx gang “Dub City,” which was affiliated with the larger MacBallers street gang, was sentenced to 22 years in prison. On February 24, 2026, SILVA pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and multiple firearms offenses in connection with shootings, one of which left the victim paralyzed, before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe, who imposed this sentence.
“For years, the members of the so-called ‘Dub City’ gang terrorized several Bronx neighborhoods in their claimed territory by repeatedly shooting at rivals and fellow gang members alike,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “The significant sentences imposed in this case serve to hold the leaders and members of this violent street gang accountable for their gun violence and other criminal activity. This Office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations and protect the communities they prey upon through violence.”
According to the charging instruments, court filings, and statements made in court:
The “Dub City” gang was a criminal organization based in the Mt. Hope and Morris Heights sections of the Bronx, New York, whose members predominantly were also members of the larger MacBallers street gang. A map of Dub City’s claimed territory is below:
From 2019 until the defendants were arrested in April 2023, the Dub City gang members sold drugs, committed robberies, committed financial fraud, used guns, and committed numerous acts of violence in furtherance of the Dub City gang, including shootings against members of rival gangs and against other Dub City gang members. The violence committed by the defendants included shootings where innocent bystanders were hit. In one case, SILVA shot at an individual, causing permanent paralysis. In another case, co-defendant BRUCE MELVIN shot at a rival gang member, hitting an innocent bystander in the leg.
In total, the defendants were collectively convicted for their roles in eight separate shootings on Bronx streets between summer 2019 and summer 2022.
The following photographs depict Dub City members and co-defendants SILVA, MELVIN, and ELIJAH POUGH firing their weapons at rival gang members and others on Bronx streets:
In imposing this sentence, Judge Gardephe said that Silva poses a “clear and present danger to the community.”
A chart containing the names and ages of the defendants, the charges they were convicted of, and the sentences they received is set forth below.
Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations, and also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent Organizations and Crime Unit.
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BRUCE SILVA, a/k/a “Brucie,” | | Two counts of use, possession, and brandishing of a firearms in connection with an attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering Possession of ammunition after a felony conviction | 3 years supervised release |
BRUCE MELVIN, a/k/a “BG,” | | Two counts of use, possession, and brandishing of a firearms in connection with an attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering | 5 years supervised release |
JORDAN BENNETT a/k/a “Billy Bandz,” a/k/a “J Bills,” | | | 3 years supervised release |
ELIJAH POUGH, a/k/a “Eli,” | | Use, possession, and brandishing, of a firearm in connection with an attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering | 5 years supervised release |
SHADELL MCBRIDE, a/k/a “Deli,” | | Use and possession of a firearm in connection with an attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering | 5 years supervised release |
JUSTIN BALLESTER, a/k/a “J-Gunz,” | | | 3 years supervised release |
ALZUBAIR SALEH, a/k/a “Sammy,” | | | 3 years supervised release |
GIOVANNI RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Karrot,” | | | 3 years supervised release |
GABRIEL VALDEZ, a/k/a “Wolf,” | | | 48 months (including 20 months spent in New York state custody) 3 years supervised release |
EMMANUEL PEREZ, a/k/a “Manny,” a/k/a “Haven,” | | | 3 years supervised release |
