Four Defendants Charged With Cyberstalking, Kidnapping, And Murder In Parking Lot Of Bronx Shopping Center

Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino, the Special Agent in Charge for the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment in Manhattan federal court charging IVAN COLLADO; PATRICIA VILLALBA, a/k/a “Patty,” a/k/a “Sweetz”; ARECIO COLLADO; and JERRY VARGAS, a/k/a “Peligro,” with, among other things, cyberstalking resulting in death, murder through the use of a firearm, conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death, and narcotics conspiracy in connection with the stalking and murder of Raymond Resto, a/k/a “Sugar Hill Tone” on November 26, 2023, in the Bronx, New York. IVAN COLLADO was previously arrested and charged with kidnapping conspiracy and attempted kidnapping resulting in death on February 15, 2024, when he was ordered detained.  VILLALBA, ARECIO COLLADO, and VARGAS were arrested yesterday and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken.   

U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “As alleged, these defendants carried out a sophisticated and brazen scheme to stalk, kidnap, and kill Raymond Resto over a drug debt. They murdered Resto in front of his wife in the parking lot of the Throggs Neck Shopping Center in the Bronx.  This Office’s commitment to investigate such callous violence is unwavering and we will not relent in our aggressive pursuit of justice against violent criminals.” 

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino said: “Drug trafficking is a dangerous and illegal business, often entangled with violent and deadly consequences. These individuals, who participated in the cyberstalking, attempted kidnapping, and murder of Mr. Resto, chose to use violence and intimidation to further their criminal enterprise. The unsealing of this Superseding Indictment is a result of the partnership DEA New York has with our law enforcement partners in keeping our communities safe and making sure those responsible for these types of violent crimes face consequences for their actions.”  

As alleged in the charging documents in the case and in court documents:[1] 

Between at least in or around November 2023 through at least in or about February 2024, IVAN COLLADO, VILLALBA, and ARECIO COLLADO participated in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of powder cocaine in New York City and elsewhere.  As part of this conspiracy, a particular drug dealer (“CC-1”) who was assisted by Resto, obtained kilograms of cocaine on consignment from IVAN COLLADO, VILLALBA, and ARECIO COLLADO, but CC-1 was unable to repay the debt owed for the cocaine.   

In response, IVAN COLLADO, together with ARECIO COLLADO and VILLALBA, harassed and intimidated CC-1, including through threats of violence, in an attempt to secure repayment and identify Resto and CC-1’s customers. IVAN COLLADO, VILLALBA, ARECIO COLLADO, and VARGAS also took steps to locate and place Resto under surveillance in advance of his murder, including through the use of a GPS tracking device installed on Resto’s car. 

On or about November 26, 2023, Resto was in the parking lot of the Throggs Neck Shopping Center in the Bronx with his wife when a BMW pulled in front of Resto and his wife, blocking their path to exit. Three gunmen  attempted to force Resto into the BMW.  During the kidnapping, one of the gunmen began shooting at Resto at close range.  Resto struggled to escape while another kidnapper also opened fire.  Resto was shot at least four times and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.  Resto was 49 years old. 

Following the murder, IVAN COLLADO, ARECIO COLLADO, and VILLALBA redoubled their efforts to stalk, intimidate, and harass CC-1 and CC-1’s family.       

If you believe that you have additional information about this murder, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York at 1-866-874-8900, and reference this case.

A chart containing the names of the defendants, the charges against them, and the associated penalties is set forth below.

The statutory maximum and minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence of the defendant will be determined by the judge.        

Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA Task Force, which is comprised of members of the DEA, NYPD, and New York State Police, as well as the NYPD’s Bronx Homicide Squad.  Ms. Sassoon also thanked the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts for their support and assistance in this matter. 

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley C. Nicolas, Joseph H. Rosenberg, and Courtney L. Heavey are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from investigative analyst Koren Augustin and paralegal specialist Chanel-Ashley Foster.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Narcotics Conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	IVAN COLLADO, PATRICIA VILLALBA,        a/k/a “Patty,”       a/k/a “Sweetz,” ARECIO COLLADO	Life in prison Mandatory minimum 10 years in prison
2	Cyberstalking Resulting in Death 18 U.S.C. §§ 2261A(2)(A) and (B), 2261(b)(1), and 2	IVAN COLLADO, PATRICIA VILLALBA,         a/k/a “Sweetz,” ARECIO COLLADO, JERRY VARGAS,        a/k/a “Peligro”	Life in prison
3	Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping Resulting in Death 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c)	IVAN COLLADO, PATRICIA VILLALBA,       a/k/a “Patty,”       a/k/a “Sweetz,” ARECIO COLLADO, JERRY VARGAS,        a/k/a “Peligro”	Life in prison
4	Firearms Use, Carrying, and Possession 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and 2	IVAN COLLADO, PATRICIA VILLALBA,       a/k/a “Patty,”       a/k/a “Sweetz,” ARECIO COLLADO, JERRY VARGAS,        a/k/a “Peligro”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison
5	Murder Through the Use of a Firearm 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)	IVAN COLLADO, PATRICIA VILLALBA,       a/k/a “Patty,”       a/k/a “Sweetz,” ARECIO COLLADO, JERRY VARGAS,        a/k/a “Peligro”	Life in prison or death
6	Cyberstalking With Use of a Dangerous Weapon 18 U.S.C. §§ 2261A(2)(A) and (B), 2261(b)(3), and 2	IVAN COLLADO, PATRICIA VILLALBA,       a/k/a “Patty,”       a/k/a “Sweetz,” ARECIO COLLADO, JERRY VARGAS,        a/k/a “Peligro”	10 years in prison
7	False Statements 18 U.S.C. § 1001	PATRICIA VILLALBA,       a/k/a “Patty,”       a/k/a “Sweetz,”	Five years in prison
8	False Statements 18 U.S.C. § 1001	PATRICIA VILLALBA,       a/k/a “Patty,”       a/k/a “Sweetz”	Five years in prison
9	False Statements 18 U.S.C. § 1001	IVAN COLLADO	Five years in prison

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation.