Charges Include the October 27, 2006, Murder of Kelly Diaz
Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 13 defendants with various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses, including the murder of Kelly Diaz on October 27, 2006. The defendants are charged in connection with their membership in a robbery crew known as the “Hot Boys,” in Upper Manhattan. The defendants will be presented in Manhattan federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim stated: “As alleged, the ‘Hot Boys’ robbery crew terrorized victims for more than a decade, stealing all manner of drugs to sell on the streets of Washington Heights. When anyone got in their way, they allegedly resorted to violence, including the tragic murder of Kelly Diaz. Thanks to the dogged work of our partners in the FBI and NYPD, today’s arrests mark the end of the Hot Boys, and the beginning of justice for Diaz and his family.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. stated: “Our communities and country are facing a deadly epidemic of overdoses due to prescription and illegal drugs. Groups like the one rounded up in this case are allegedly using that epidemic to make money, and show their dominance through violence. The FBI and our law enforcement partners’ ultimate goal in these investigations is to go after the leadership of these enterprises, and to cut off the access to the substances that are killing people every day.”
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill stated: “As alleged, these individuals were involved in a host of violent crimes including assault, robbery and murder. The investigation of these crimes is the type of precision policing that has led to nearly 100 fewer shootings and more than 30 fewer homicides so far this year. Thanks to the detectives, agents, and prosecutors whose work led to today’s racketeering charges.”
According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
From 2006 up to 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, STARLIN NUNEZ, a/k/a “Chino,” a/k/a “Lucky Star,” a/k/a “Junior,” RAMON MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Gordo,” ANDRE BELLIARD, a/k/a “Little Andy,” DAVID SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Bori,” SANDY CASTILLO, a/k/a “Fat Sandy,” ALVARADO DOMINGUEZ, a/k/a “Jochi,” STALIN CONTRERAS, a/k/a “Chaka,” WILFRED MEDINA, a/k/a “Papalin,” ALBERT BONILLA, a/k/a “Alski,” a/k/a “Biggie,” EDWIN ARAUJO, a/k/a “Charger Ed,” GUILLERMO ARAUJO, a/k/a “Jun,” SHAJONNY SANTANA, a/k/a “Giovanni,” a/k/a “G-Money,” and ESFRAIN SILVA, a/k/a “Boy,” were all members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as the “Hot Boys.” In order to fund the enterprise, protect its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Hot Boys committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder, assault, robbery and burglary; they obtained, possessed, and used firearms, including by brandishing them; and they distributed and conspired to distribute controlled substances, including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and various prescription drugs.
During one robbery committed in furtherance of the Hot Boys enterprise, DOMINGUEZ, CONTRERAS, MEDINA, and BONILLA murdered, and aided and abetted the murder of, Kelly Diaz on October 27, 2006, who was shot and killed in his apartment in Washington Heights.
BELLIARD, CONTRERAS, MEDINA, and SANTANA were taken into federal custody this morning, and will be presented in Manhattan federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. NUNEZ, SANTIAGO, DOMINGUEZ, EDWIN ARAUJO, GUILLERMO ARAUJO, and SILVA were already in custody on other charges. MARTINEZ and BONILLA remain at large.
Charts containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the respective judges.
Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD, and thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in this investigation.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
| COUNT | CHARGES | DEFENDANTS | MAXIMUM PENALTIES |
| 1--- | Racketeering Conspiracy | STARLIN NUNEZ, RAMON MARTINEZ, ANDRE BELLIARD, DAVID SANTIAGO, SANDY CASTILLO, ALVARADO DOMINGUEZ, STALIN CONTRERAS, WILFRED MEDINA, ALBERT BONILLA, EDWIN ARAUJO, GUILLERMO ARAUJO, SHAJONNY SANTANA, ESFRAIN SILVA | Life in prison |
| 2--- | Murder in Aid of Racketeering | ALVARADO DOMINGUEZ, STALIN CONTRERAS, WILFRED MEDINA, ALBERT BONILLA | Life in prison or death |
| 3--- | Narcotics Conspiracy | STARLIN NUNEZ, RAMON MARTINEZ, ANDRE BELLIARD, DAVID SANTIAGO, SANDY CASTILLO, ALVARADO DOMINGUEZ, STALIN CONTRERAS, WILFRED MEDINA, ALBERT BONILLA, EDWIN ARAUJO, GUILLERMO ARAUJO, SHAJONNY SANTANA, ESFRAIN SILVA | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison |
| 4--- | Use of Firearms Resulting in Death | ALVARADO DOMINGUEZ, STALIN CONTRERAS, WILFRED MEDINA, ALBERT BONILLA | Life in prison or death |
| 5--- | Using, Carrying, Possessing, and Brandishing Firearms | STARLIN NUNEZ, RAMON MARTINEZ, ANDRE BELLIARD, DAVID SANTIAGO, SANDY CASTILLO, ALVARADO DOMINGUEZ, STALIN CONTRERAS, WILFRED MEDINA, ALBERT BONILLA, EDWIN ARAUJO, GUILLERMO ARAUJO, SHAJONNY SANTANA, ESFRAIN SILVA | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of seven years in prison |
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