At the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jaquell Blackwell pleaded guilty to carjacking. His co-defendant, Abdoul Azika, previously pleaded guilty to carjacking on July 9, 2025. Both proceedings were held before United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross. When sentenced, the defendants each face up to 15 years in prison.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI,) announced the guilty pleas.
“Blackwell and Azika, wielding weapons and threats of grievous harm, forced their victims to give up their vehicles and instilled terror in their communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “They will now be held accountable for their crimes, and our Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to eradicate gangs responsible for violent crime.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Nassau County Police Department for their assistance on the case.
“Jaquell Blackwell and Abdoul Azika committed a series of violent carjackings by brandishing weapons to forcibly steal cars from their victims,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “These gang members repeatedly terrorized our communities by threatening violence to ensure fearful compliance. The FBI continues to facilitate successful disruptions via Operation Summer Heat by protecting our citizens from violent offenders.”
According to court filings and statements by the defendants at the guilty plea proceedings, Azika and Blackwell were members of the violent “5zzly” crew of the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang that carried out armed carjackings and robberies across New York City and Long Island. Both defendants pleaded guilty to one such carjacking in the early morning hours of March 19, 2023, during which they snuck up on a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood in Garden City, opened the doors of a vehicle, pointed a knife and a gun at the driver’s face, and told him to “get the f*** out of the car.” After the driver complied, Blackwell and Azika stole the car. Blackwell also admitted to committing another armed carjacking in Elmont on June 7, 2023, and Azika also admitted to perpetrating two armed carjackings in South Farmingdale and Massapequa on June 5, 2022.
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