Two Men Sentenced To 185 And 220 Months In Prison For Murder Of Rival Drug Dealer In 2002

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that TERRIS OLIVER, a/k/a “T-Bird,” and RICARDO AYALA, a/k/a “Richie,” were sentenced to 185 and 220 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the March 27, 2002, shooting death of 19-year-old Atari Felton.  OLIVER and AYALA were participants in a drug conspiracy, members of which shot and killed Felton after a feud broke out between their group and Felton’s own drug business.  OLIVER was sentenced June 3, 2024, and AYALA was sentenced on May 6, 2024, both by U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances.  During their pleas, they admitted to participating in the Felton murder. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “This case is yet another reminder that no matter how much time passes, this Office will prosecute, and seek significant sentences for, any drug dealers and gang members who shoot and kill another person.  There is absolutely no excuse for the taking of another life.  Atari Felton has been dead for longer than he lived — a tragedy brought about by gun violence that this Office and City should never abide.” 

According to the allegations in the Indictment and Information and statements made in public court proceedings:

OLIVER and AYALA were members of a drug crew that conducted open-air drug sales around 240 East 175th Street in the Bronx, near Monroe Avenue.  The group had planned to merge operations with Felton, but when that failed, Felton attempted to shoot at members of OLIVER’s and AYALA’s group.  Later that night, OLIVER, AYALA, and several other men traveled to the area of 1665 Topping Avenue, where at least four men, including OLIVER, fired shots at Felton as Felton exited a corner store.[1]  One bullet struck Felton in the back, causing lethal injuries. 

Following the murder, both OLIVER and AYALA incurred arrests and periods of incarceration on state charges of, among other things, gun possession, to which OLIVER pled guilty in 2006, and continued drug distribution, to which AYALA pled guilty in 2004.

OLIVER, 42, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and AYALA, 43, of the Bronx, New York, previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and both admitted to participating in the Felton murder.  In addition to the prison term, OLIVER and AYALA were sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the New York City Police Department’s Cold Case Squad.  He also thanked the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts for their support and assistance in this matter.