Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NYSHIEM SPENCER, a/k/a “Willy,” pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Willis to charges relating to his involvement in a shooting on October 31, 2017, in the vicinity of the Soundview Houses in the Bronx, New York, which resulted in the murder of Luis Vargas, 16 years old, and injuries to two other individuals, including a 15-year old child.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “On October 31, 2017, Nyshiem Spencer opened fire in the courtyard of the Soundview Houses and killed Luis Vargas, who was 16 years old. Spencer also shot and injured two other people in the courtyard, including a 15-year old child. Today’s guilty plea shows that we will vigorously investigate and hold accountable those who are responsible for shootings and acts of gang violence in our community. I commend the extraordinary efforts of our law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly to investigate Luis Vargas’s murder.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Information and other filings and statements made in court:
NYSHIEM SPENCER was a member and associate of the Monroe Houses Crew, a racketeering enterprise which operates principally in the James Monroe Houses in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx. In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, Monroe Houses Crew members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; committed robberies; engaged in fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.
On October 31, 2017, SPENCER carried out a shooting targeting rival gang members in the courtyard of the Soundview Houses, which resulted in the murder of Luis Vargas, age 16. Two other individuals, including a 15-year old child, were injured during the shooting.
SPENCER, 21, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in furtherance of a murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, which was brandished and discharged, which carries a maximum prison term of life and a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
SPENCER is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Analisa Torres on March 7, 2023.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and New York City’s Department of Investigation.
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