Leader Of ‘Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods’ Pleads Guilty To Racketeering And Narcotics Offenses In Manhattan Federal Court

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMEL JONES, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to racketeering and narcotics offenses as part of his participation in the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods (“Nine Trey”).  U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer presided over the defendant’s guilty plea.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Today, Jamel Jones admitted in open court to his involvement in Nine Trey and distributing drugs for the gang.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and vigorously investigate and prosecute those who bring violence and drugs into our communities.”

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in open court:

Nine Trey was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in and around Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Members and associates of Nine Trey engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of Nine Trey, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of Nine Trey enriched themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, MDMA, dibutylone, and marijuana. 

JONES, 38, of Brooklyn, pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy for his involvement in Nine Trey, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.  JONES’S sentencing has been scheduled for July 17, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Engelmayer.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.           

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.