Alleged Gang Member Charged With 2014 Manhattan Murder

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John B. Devito, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging FRANK BRANDON, a/k/a “Trizzy,” an alleged member of the “Milla Bloods” gang, with the February 23, 2014, murder of Gashier Mendy, 24, inside the Saint Nicholas Houses in Manhattan, and related offenses.  BRANDON was taken into federal custody this morning in Gloversville, New York, and was presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Almost five years ago, Gashier Mendy was shot dead, her life tragically and brutally taken.  As alleged in today’s indictment, Frank Brandon killed her.  Thanks to the outstanding efforts of the NYPD and ATF, Brandon now faces murder charges for his heinous crime.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito said:  “Frank Brandon, an alleged member of the ‘Milla Bloods’ gang, was charged with a number of federal offenses including the murder of a young woman.  ATF and our law enforcement partners stand united at the frontline in the fight against violent crime.  We will aggressively pursue and bring to justice any individual bent on bringing heinous acts of violence into their communities.  I would like to thank the members of the ATF/ NYPD Joint Robbery Task Force for their tireless efforts on this case.  I would also like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting this case.    

According to the allegations in the Indictment[1]:

BRANDON was a member of the “Milla Bloods,” a gang that operated in Manhattan and engaged in racketeering activity, including acts of violence and narcotics distribution.  On February 23, 2014, in furtherance of his gang activity, BRANDON shot and killed Gashier Mendy inside 240 West 129th Street.

BRANDON, 32, of Gloversville, New York, is charged in the Indictment with one count of murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1959(a)(1) and 2; one count of murder through the use of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(j) and 2; one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 2; and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamines and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.  BRANDON faces a mandatory minimum penalty of death or life in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD and ATF.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.