Member Of Bronx Gang Pleads Guilty To Murder And Racketeering Conspiracy

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that today ELIJAH DAVILA, a/k/a “Montana,” pled guilty to committing the murder of Pablo Beard, participating in racketeering and narcotics conspiracies, and committing a firearms offense, all in connection with a violent street gang known as the “Taylor Avenue Crew” or “Bugatti,” which is based primarily in and around the New York City Police Department’s 43rd Precinct in the Bronx, New York. As part of his guilty plea, DAVILA admitted to shooting and killing Pablo Beard, in the vicinity of Leland Avenue in the Bronx. DAVILA faces a mandatory minimum term of 40 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison, and will be sentenced before United States District Judge Katherine Polk Failla on July 13, 2017.

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Elijah Davila and the Taylor Avenue Crew wrought havoc in their Bronx neighborhood, selling drugs and committing acts of violence. As he admitted today, as part of his racketeering and drug crimes, Davila murdered Pablo Beard. We are committed to bringing federal prosecutions like this one to reduce violent crime and drug dealing in our neighborhoods.”

According to the Indictment and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during the plea proceedings:

DAVILA was a member of the Bronx-based street gang known as the Taylor Avenue Crew or Bugatti, and in that capacity committed the murder of Beard. From at least 2008 to September 2015, members and associates of the Taylor Avenue Crew enriched themselves by selling drugs, such as “crack” cocaine, and committed acts of violence, including murder and attempted murder, against various people, including rival gang members, rival drug traffickers, and innocent bystanders. As part of this enterprise, members and associates of the Taylor Avenue Crew – including DAVILA – killed and attempted to kill others individuals. On March 3, 2015, DAVILA shot Beard to death in the vicinity of 1504 Leland Avenue.

Mr. Kim praised the work of the New York City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their participation and support in this case.