Recording Artist Kintea McKenzie Pleads Guilty In Connection With 2018 Shooting In Times Square

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that KINTEA MCKENZIE, a/k/a “Kooda B,” pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court in connection with a shooting outside a hotel in Times Square on June 2, 2018, in furtherance of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods (“Nine Trey”) criminal enterprise.  U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer accepted the defendant’s guilty plea.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Today, Kintea McKenzie admitted his responsibility for a brazen shooting in bustling Times Square.  In coordination with Tekashi 6ix 9ine and other Nine Trey gang members, McKenzie arranged to have another individual shoot at a rival gang member.  We continue our daily work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and to vigorously investigate acts of violence committed by gang members.”

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.  On or about June 2, 2018, MCKENZIE agreed to accept money from Daniel Hernandez, a/k/a “Tekashi 6ix 9ine,” to shoot at a rival gang member and rapper who was staying at a hotel in Times Square.   MCKENZIE helped to organize the shooting in order to scare that rival gang member. 

MCKENZIE, 21, of Brooklyn, pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

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 Judge Engelmayer.

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.  He also thanked the New York County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.