Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging LAMAR WILLIAMS with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder with a firearm. The charges relate to WILLIAMS’ murder of Rasheed Barton on August 11, 2013, in the Bronx, New York.
WILLIAMS was arrested today and presented before Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendant shot and murdered Rasheed Barton as part of the defendant’s gang membership and crack cocaine dealing. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who commit these horrific acts of violence.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Today’s charges highlight what the NYPD and our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District can accomplish when we focus on the relatively few people responsible for much of the crime and violence in New York City. Together, we remain committed to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those who partake in any form of gang activity, from drug distribution to murder. Make no mistake: Severe consequences await anyone who dares to jeopardize the safety of our neighborhoods.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal Court:[1]
From at least 2013 to 2022, LAMAR WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Little Black,” a/k/a “Chase Money Marz,” was a member of the Mac Ballers, which is a set of the national Bloods gang. The Mac Ballers operated primarily in the northeast United States, including in the Bronx, and in jails and prisons of New York City and the State of New York.
Members of the Mac Ballers committed acts of violence, including murder, to protect and expand the gang’s territory, to retaliate against rival gang members, to keep victims and potential victims in fear of the gang, and to otherwise promote the gang’s reputation. They also distributed controlled substances in order to enrich themselves. Mac Ballers members promoted and celebrated the gang’s criminal conduct — including acts of violence, drug distribution, and firearm usage — on social media.
On August 11, 2013, WILLIAMS shot and killed Rasheed Barton in the vicinity of East 174th Street and Bronx River Avenue in the Bronx, New York. WILLIAMS murdered Barton in connection with WILLIAMS’ membership in the Mac Ballers gang and his conspiring to sell crack cocaine.
WILLIAMS, 31, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of death or life in prison and mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; and one count of murder through use of a firearm, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of death or life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.
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.
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