Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that GIBRAN GUERRERO, a/k/a “Cojito,” and YORVIN GOMEZ, a/k/a “Julbie,” were charged with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses related to their membership in a street gang known as the “Trinitarios” that operated in or around the Bronx and other locations. GUERRERO and GOMEZ are also charged with participating in a robbery on December 15, 2022. During the robbery, one of the victims, Johnny Gaston, was shot and killed. The other victim was shot but survived. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
GUERRERO and GOMEZ were in state custody and were transferred into federal custody today. They were presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Gibran Guerrero and Yorvin Gomez are alleged to have terrorized the Bronx in connection with their membership in the Trinitarios gang. Their alleged violent conduct included engaging in gunpoint robberies of multiple victims, with one robbery resulting in the tragic death of Johnny Gaston. Today’s indictment furthers this Office’s work to chip away at the gang violence that threatens public safety in our community.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “Every crime carried out by Trinitarios gang members in New York City is met with tenacious work by the NYPD and our law enforcement partners to ensure justice – and this case is no different. Behind the charges unsealed today against these two defendants is a proactive, aggressive investigation to ensure the strongest possible prosecution. I want to thank our NYPD detectives and all of our partners, including the agents of the HSI New York Field Office and the prosecutors of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, for their steadfast collaboration in bringing this important case.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
From at least in or about 2021 up to and including 2023, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, GIBRAN GUERRERO and YORVIN GOMEZ were members of the Trinitarios gang. In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members of the Trinitarios engaged in, among other things, robberies, frauds, narcotics trafficking, and other acts of violence, including murder.
On December 15, 2022, GUERRERO, GOMEZ, and other Trinitarios members lured two victims to a location in the Bronx and robbed them. During the robbery, one of the victims, Johnny Gaston, was shot and killed. The other victim was shot but survived.
In addition, on or about July 30, 2022, and September 26, 2022, GUERRERO and other Trinitarios members participated in gunpoint robberies of several victims located in the Bronx.
GIBRAN GUERRERO, 20, and YORVIN GOMEZ, 26, both of the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison or death; one count of causing death through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or death; and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. GUERRERO is also charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and two counts of carrying and brandishing firearms in connection with a crime of violence, which each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
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