Defendant Conspired to Kill a Suspected Federal Informant
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Ronald Williams, a leader of the ‘90s Crew street gang based in the Canarsie and East Flatbush neighborhoods of Brooklyn, was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 24 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice murder, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Williams was convicted by a federal jury on January 24, 2018 following a two-week trial. Williams’ co-defendant, Leon Campbell, pleaded guilty in June 2019 to murder-for-hire conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and was sentenced in November 2019 to nine years’ imprisonment.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), announced the sentence.
“Ronald Williams showed his indifference for a human life when, without any hesitation, he accepted money to kill someone suspected of being an informant for federal law enforcement,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s lengthy sentence demonstrates the seriousness of obstructing justice and that those who seek to do so will be punished. Our district is a safer place with this dangerous and ruthless felon off the streets. I commend the DEA for taking swift action in warning the victim and preventing the planned murder from being carried out.”
“This sentencing demonstrates DEA’s relentless pursuit to seek justice for drug trafficking and violent crimes,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Tarentino. “The investigation underscores the relationship between drug trafficking and violence, and further demonstrates our commitment and resolve to holding those accountable for causing the most harm in our communities. I commend the hard work of the agents, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this investigation.”
On April 26, 2013, DEA agents were following Campbell as he was making a delivery of marijuana to a customer in Brooklyn. Campbell spotted the agents and fled, suspecting that his marijuana customer was an informant providing information to federal law enforcement. On April 30, 2013, Campbell called Williams and offered to pay him $5,000 to kill the individual he suspected was a federal informant. Williams agreed to commit the murder and began planning the murder, including selecting a gang member to carry out the contract. Federal agents, however, were able to identify the potential victim, and the murder was not carried out.
Williams was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition found during the execution of a search warrant at his residence and using a firearm in connection with the charged drug trafficking crime. The items recovered during a search of Williams’ residence on East 96th Street in Brooklyn included three handguns and several pounds of marijuana, a drug ledger, a safe, and a police scanner.
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