52 Members of La Familia Nunca Muere Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations as part of the Homeland Security Task Force Initiative

 

On March 17, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 52 gang members from the municipalities of San Juan, Morovis, and Cataño with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) San Juan Strike Force, with the collaboration of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) and Air and Marine Operations (AMO), the U.S.  Marshals Service, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Today during the arrests, the following agencies provided support: Puerto Rico National Guard, Guaynabo Municipal Police, Bayamón Municipal Police, and San Juan Municipal Police.

“Thanks to the great investigative work of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors, the important leaders, enforcers and other members of the violent gang are being taken off our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “These arrests reflect our steadfast determination to remove violent gangs from our communities.”

“This operation makes one thing absolutely clear, those who choose to spread violence and poison our communities will be relentlessly pursued and dismantled,” said Acting DEA SAC Evan Martínez. “There is no safe haven for criminal organizations in Puerto Rico. Together with our federal and local partners, we are applying every resource, every authority, and every strategy to hold these individuals accountable. We will not stop, we will not slow down, and we will not back off until our communities are safer and justice is served.”

The indictment alleges that from 2018 to the present, the drug trafficking organization distributed cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and fentanyl within 1,000 feet of the Los Lirios (San Juan), Jardines de Cataño (Cataño), Juana Matos (Cataño), El Coquí (Cataño), and Nemesio Rosario Canales (San Juan) Public Housing Projects (PHPs), and areas near those locations, all for significant financial gain and profit. 

The object of the conspiracy was to distribute wholesale quantities and street amount quantities of controlled substances at those PHPs. At times, gang members would pool resources from different areas such as the Luis Lloréns Torres and the Vista Hermos PHPs, Barriada Figueroa and others within the municipalities of San Juan, Morovis, and Cataño. The organization referred to itself as “La Familia Nunca Muere” (The Family Never Dies) (hereinafter “LFNM”), also sometimes referred to as “Los Incorregibles” (The Incorrigibles) or “La Colectora” or “La Cole” (The Collectors). The defendants communicated with each other using two-way radios and cell phones, via instant messaging and social media. Members of LFNM promoted themselves, their narcotics, their firearms, their money, and their gang using social media. Some leaders who were incarcerated participated in meetings using contraband cellular phones, normally via video call.

It is alleged that members of LFNM participated in acts of violence, including shootings and murders, in response to mere perceived threats, without first verifying the veracity of the threats. The defendants carried out shootings and murders in public places, in broad daylight, and in the presence of innocent bystanders, including children. Shootings also took place in public establishments such as bars and nightclubs.  During the commission of these shootings, LFNM members would often use bulletproof vests, gloves, face masks and other face coverings. At times, they would use stolen or carjacked cars to evade capture and arrest by law enforcement. The investigation, including investigation regarding murders committed by the gang, remains ongoing.

The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, including as leaders, suppliers, drug point owners, enforcers, runners, sellers, lookouts, and facilitators. Forty defendants are facing one charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and twenty-one of those defendants are facing one count of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The defendants charged in the indictment are:  

[1] Tomás Junior Sánchez-González, a.k.a. “Father/Boss/Patrón/Gemelo”

[2] Junior Tomás Sánchez-González, a.k.a. “Bere/Bereta/Gemelo”

[3] Jaime Vázquez-Román, a.k.a. “Tio/Tioito”

[4] Edwin Rivera-Pérez, a.k.a. “Bubu”

[5] Carlos D. Valladares-Díaz, a.k.a. “Dany/Lalo/Ojos Bellos/Ojos Lindos”

[6] Omar Matías-Martínez, a.k.a. “KTM”

[7] Duhamel J. Natal-González, a.k.a. “Banchi”

[8] Luis Joel Rivera-Torres, a.k.a. “Taly”

[9] Nestor N. González-Muñíz, a.k.a. “Silencio/Mudo”

[10] Randy Padilla-Fernández, a.k.a. “R”

[11] Tomás Niochar Sánchez-Feliciano, a.k.a. “Nio”

[12] Ángel De Jesús-Vasquez, a.k.a. Ángel De Jesús-Vázquez/El Negro/D.O.”

[13] Jonathan González-Agosto, a.k.a. “Tatán”

[14] Israel J. González-Rosado, a.k.a. “Kiko”

[15] Saúl Rodríguez-Serrano, a.k.a. “Patroncito”

[16] Javbdiel López-Paz, a.k.a. “Dreki Malo”

[17] Luis Antonio Rosa-Hernández, a.k.a. “Menor de Fajardo”

[18] Luis Isander Medina-Vázquez, a.k.a. “Sugar/Flaco/Trenzas”

[19] Kevin M. Rijos-Sepúlveda, a.k.a. “Yeezy”

[20] Jorge S. Rodríguez-Rivera, a.k.a. “Gallero”

[21] John Michael Rentas-Rivera, a.k.a. “Dálmata”

[22] Gabrielle Eliud Delgado-Garay, a.k.a. “Kayak/KK”

[23] Pedro Antonio Barreto-Martínez, a.k.a. “Pedrito/Mago/Maguito”

[24] Pedro A. Polanco-Febus

[25] Yadiel Daniel Rosario-Castro, a.k.a. “Papote”

[26] Jeancarlos Reynoso-Peralta, a.k.a. “Domi/Greña”

[27] Jordanish Manuel Torres-Villegas, a.k.a. “Mutombo”

[28] John Huertas-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Casque”

[29] Giann Luis Rijos-Sepúlveda, a.k.a. “Yeesy/Yisi/Yeezysito”

[30] Freddy Maldonado-Castillo, a.k.a. “Sonrisa/Sonri”

[31] Carlos Rosario-Reyes, a.k.a. “Carlos Papi”

[32] Yahir Armando Ayala-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Duende”

[33] Yecdiel Daniel-Oliveras, a.k.a. “Chagui”

[34] Josten Anthony Ramos, a.k.a. “Justin Ramos/Prosper”

[35] Carlo André Díaz-Sepúlveda, a.k.a. “Chavito”

[36] Adrián Gabriel Ramos-López, a.k.a. “ADN”

[37] Javier Colón-Oppenheimer, a.k.a. “Javielito/Javi/TT de Trastalleres”

[38] Adam Yadiel Díaz-Santiago, a.k.a. “El Menor”

[39] Joshua Yadie De Jesús-De Jesús, a.k.a. “Tokio/Yadiel”

[40] Jonathan Ramón González-Pérez, a.k.a. “Tripi/Cripi”

[41] Fabián O. Martínez-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Dreki Bueno/Draky Bueno”

[42] Noriel Iván Alvarado

[43] Joseph Colón-Pagán, a.k.a. “Canito”

[44] Elliott Francis Correa-Martorell, a.k.a. “Ele”

[45] Adin Jafet Cruz-Sastre, a.k.a. “J”

[46] Pauliana Santiago-Vega

[47] Yatniel Iván Ramos-Borrero, a.k.a. “Chama”

[48] Miguel Sánchez-Reyes, a.k.a. “Cabe”

[49] Ronny Arias-Paulino, a.k.a. “Karate”

[50] Elvin Josué Jiménez-De la Rosa, a.k.a. “Bin”

[51] Jomar Rashid Torres-Torres, a.k.a. “Jomo/Yomo”

[52] Juan Gianny Rodríguez-Tosado, a.k.a. “Guasy” 

If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in Count Four, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison. The defendants charged with possession of machineguns in furtherance of drug trafficking in Count Five face a mandatory sentence of thirty years in prison to be served consecutively to any sentence imposed on the drug trafficking charges. All defendants are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $12,796,800.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Prolific Alien Smuggler Extradited from Brazil to Face Charges in the United States

Bangladeshi national Saiful Islam, 39, will make his initial appearance in Laredo, Texas, today after being extradited from Brazil. An indictment in the Southern District of Texas was unsealed today charging Islam for his role in a conspiracy that smuggled numerous aliens through Central America to the United States.

According to court documents, Islam participated in a wide-ranging human smuggling operation and assisted other smugglers by facilitating the travel of aliens from São Paulo, Brazil, and other locations in South America, Central America, and Mexico so that the aliens could illegally enter the United States. The aliens were brought to the Southern border and were instructed to cross into the United States by wading across the Rio Grande River or by jumping a border fence.

Islam is charged with conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States, multiple counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain, and conspiracy to encourage and induce an alien to enter the United States. If convicted of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of three or five years in prison and he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. If he is convicted of conspiracy to bring and/or conspiracy to encourage and induce and alien to enter the United States, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck of the Southern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix made the announcement.

HSI Phoenix and HSI Laredo are investigating this case with assistance from the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border and Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force, HSI Mexico City, HSI Houston, HSI Calexico, HSI Monterrey, U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Service, and INTERPOL.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Brazil. The Justice Department thanks its Brazilian law enforcement counterparts for their assistance in this matter.

Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Cortez for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by JTFA, the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean, and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 450 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 395 U.S. convictions; more than 345 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Attorney General James and Bipartisan Coalition Urge FTC to Address Deceptive Rental Fees

 

Amid Housing Affordability Crisis, 26 AGs Call for Federal Rule to Increase Transparency and Protect Renters

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 25 other attorneys general today called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enact a rule addressing unfair and deceptive fee practices in the rental housing market. In a comment letter submitted to the FTC, the coalition urged the agency to establish clear, nationwide standards to ensure transparency in rental pricing and protect consumers. The letter comes in response to the FTC’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on unfair or deceptive rental housing fee practices. The attorneys general support the FTC moving forward with rulemaking and highlight the growing impact of hidden fees on renters nationwide.

“Rent is already too high, but corporate landlords are adding hidden junk fees that make housing even less affordable,” said Attorney General James. “Renters deserve to know the true cost of housing upfront, not after they have already committed their time and money. We are urging the FTC to take action so families can make informed decisions and avoid deceptive pricing.”

In the letter, Attorney General James and the coalition emphasize that modern renters often encounter “bait-and-switch” pricing tactics in which advertised rents appear lower than the actual cost. Increasingly, mandatory fees are only disclosed late in the application process or after a lease is signed. These practices can increase the true cost of housing and limit consumers’ ability to make informed financial decisions. The attorneys general also assert that deceptive rental fee practices undermine competition in the housing market. When landlords fail to disclose the full cost of rent upfront, it becomes more difficult for consumers to compare options, and housing providers that are transparent about pricing are placed at a disadvantage.

Attorney General James and the coalition are urging the FTC to adopt a rule requiring clear disclosure of the total cost of rental housing, including all mandatory fees, in advertisements and listings. They are also calling on the FTC to prohibit unfair or deceptive practices related to rental fees and establish a consistent federal baseline while preserving states’ authority to enforce and strengthen consumer protections. The attorneys general highlight actions that states across the country are taking to address unfair or deceptive rental fee practices through legislation and enforcement. They argue, however, that federal rulemaking is needed to establish consistent minimum standards while allowing states to continue regulating rental markets based on local conditions.

Joining Attorney General James in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Governor Hochul Announces Up to $150 Million to Expand Heat Pump Installations for Homeowners and Small Residential Buildings Statewide

New Green Small Buildings Program Will Accelerate Decarbonization and Lower Energy Costs for New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced up to $150 million in supplemental funding is now available to support the installation of energy-efficient heat pump systems in small residential buildings across New York State. The funding, administered through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Green Small Buildings Program, will help expand access to clean heating and cooling technologies while reducing emissions and improving affordability for homeowners and renters.

“New York is continuing to lead the nation in building an affordable and more sustainable future,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in modern, energy-efficient heat pump technology for homeowners and small buildings, we are lowering utility costs, reducing harmful emissions and ensuring more New Yorkers can live in safe, comfortable and climate-friendly homes.”

As part of the State’s $1 billion Sustainable Green Futures program, the Green Small Buildings Program supports the installation of high-performance heat pumps and related upgrades that enable building electrification across New York State. It is expected to expand access to clean energy upgrades for single family homes and small-scale residential buildings, including those serving low- and moderate-income households, while supporting local economies and advancing New York’s transition to an all-electric building sector.

The funding is now available as a supplemental resource to various existing small building development grant and loan programs administered by HCR as well as through the State of New York Mortgage Agency’s mortgage programs, allowing for streamlined delivery and faster implementation and ensuring broad geographic access throughout the State.

To ensure high-quality outcomes, all projects will be required to meet program guidelines developed in coordination with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Clean Heat program. These standards will ensure best practices in installation, performance and long-term energy savings.

Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers. Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply to make housing more affordable by launching a $25 billion five-year comprehensive Housing Plan, enacting the most significant housing deal in decades and implementing new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes — for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. More than 410 communities throughout the state have been certified Pro-Housing.

As part of Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State, the Governor proposed her “Let Them Build” agenda, a series of landmark reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs. This initiative will spur a series of common-sense reforms to New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and executive actions to expedite critical categories of projects that have been consistently found to not have significant environmental impacts, but for too long have been caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays.

The FY27 Executive Budget completes the Governor’s current five-year Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 80,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date. The Executive Budget also invests $250 million in capital funding to accelerate the construction of thousands of new affordable homes.

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Recognized as a 2026 Top Workplace of the Capital Region

Recognition Underscores Agency’s Culture of Service, Impact, and Opportunity

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has been named a 2026 Top Workplace in the Capital Region by the Times Union, which recognizes the agency’s commitment to fostering a supportive, mission-driven workplace dedicated to helping New Yorkers access affordable higher education.

HESC was amongst a handful of other NYS agencies to receive the Times Union's 2026 Top Workplace honor, which included the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, NYS Department of Heath, and the Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Human Services Contact Center. 

The Top Workplaces honor is evaluated based on employee feedback, measuring key elements of workplace culture, including connection, alignment, and employee engagement, and is compared against national benchmarks developed from millions of workers across the country. The award recognizes organizations that put people first and create environments where employees feel valued and empowered.

Doris B. González, Acting President of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation said, “At HESC, our mission is personal – We Help You Pay for College. We know that financial aid can be a determining factor in whether a student is able to attend college. This award reflects the passion, collaboration, and pride our team brings to that mission every single day. Their commitment to students, to each other, and to our mission is what makes HESC such a special agency. I couldn’t be prouder of the work we do and the culture we’ve built together.”

Driven by its mission of helping people pay for college, each year, HESC provides nearly $1 billion in student financial aid to approximately 300,000 students through programs like the Tuition Assistance Program, the Excelsior Scholarship, and a wide range of scholarships and loan forgiveness initiatives. In addition to providing financial support, HESC offers virtual and in-person guidance to help students and their families navigate the often-complex process of securing financial aid. HESC professionals strive every day to demystify the financial aid process, ensuring that students and their families have the support they need to navigate higher education funding successfully.

For more information about HESC and its grant, scholarship, and loan forgiveness programs, visit hesc.ny.gov.

Mayor Mamdani Unveils Proposal for Transformational Redesign of Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza

 

Project will create a world-class public space at the entrance to ‘Brooklyn’s backyard’  

  

NYC DOT to present project details and host public workshops beginning April 23      

   

Grand Army Plaza’s current design (L) and NYC DOT’s proposal (R). Credit: NYC DOT 

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced today a proposal to create a world-class public space and dramatically improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at Grand Army Plaza by connecting the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch to Prospect Park. The project aims to make it easier to travel around and through the plaza, including by streamlining bus service on one of the busiest routes in Brooklyn, with 27,300 daily riders on the B41 and 5,600 daily riders on the B6.  

  

NYC DOT will finalize the capital project’s design through a series of public workshops beginning on April 23. More information and a community feedback survey will be posted online the day of the workshops at nyc.gov/grandarmyplaza. The survey will be available through Sunday, May 31.  

  

“Grand Army Plaza is the gateway to Brooklyn’s backyard, Prospect Park — and it should welcome New Yorkers with street design that puts safety first,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Anyone who’s tried to cross here knows how dangerous and chaotic the streets can be. This redesign is long overdue and will provide a sense of ease and enjoyment to one of Brooklyn’s most important public spaces.”  

  

“This restoration will breathe new life into one of Brooklyn's most historic spaces, bringing critical improvements that will make the plaza safer and more accessible for everyone,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “This is a significant step toward building better-designed public spaces with the needs of New Yorkers front and center.”  

  

“Under Mayor Mamdani, we are focused on making our streets the envy of the world — and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn presents a perfect opportunity to do so,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Every time NYC DOT has provided more space to pedestrians at the park, it’s been an instant success, and it becomes impossible to think of how the space could have functioned before. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch is an iconic symbol of Brooklyn, and we’re ready to take the next big step to create a public space all of Brooklyn will be proud of and enjoy.”  

  

“Our parks are at their best when they are safe, welcoming and easy for all New Yorkers to get to. This improvement to Grand Army Plaza would give pedestrians and cyclists a safer and more relaxing way to enter Prospect Park and take advantage of all it has to offer,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “We look forward to working with our partners in the community and across City government to reshape this space for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”  

  

Previous workshops held in 2024 showed significant community support for the project with over 85% of the 3,600 survey respondents supporting a project that connects the park and plaza to the Memorial Arch and Bailey Fountain, or “Option B” in the outreach summary chart below. 

NYC DOT’s design for Grand Army Plaza, developed through years of community feedback. Credit: NYC DOT 

Once the capital project scope development is completed this year, NYC DOT will explore options for reconstruction that would include reconstructing the roadway to add a host of new pedestrian and cyclist amenities.

 

NYC DOT will be hosting virtual and in-person public sessions at the dates and locations below:  

•   Thursday, April 23 from 4pm to 6pm: Visit NYC DOT's tent south of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch in Grand Army Plaza. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Grand Lobby of the Brooklyn Public Library. Please use the main entrance.  

•    Saturday, April 25 from 10am to 1pm: Visit our tent south of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch in Grand Army Plaza. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Civic Commons area of the Brooklyn Public Library. Please use the Flatbush Avenue Entrance.  

•    Wednesday, April 29 from 6pm to 7:30pm on Zoom: Register for the April 29 virtual workshop in advance via Zoom.  

 

Four Sentenced for Cocaine Operation Hidden Inside Indianapolis Business

 

Four individuals have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing at least 55 kilograms of cocaine throughout Central Indiana.

Defendant	Charge(s)	Sentence
Kristopher Chavez, 38, Gary, Indiana	Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine	8 years, 11 months in federal prison; 5 years supervised release
Eric Kendrick, 45, Fishers, Indiana	Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine	11 years, 8 months in federal prison; 5 years supervised release
Delray Bragg, 42, Richmond, Indiana	Possession with Intent to Distribute 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine	5 years, 11 months in federal prison; 3 years supervised release
Joaquin A. Ramirez-Molina, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona	Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances	4 years, 9 months in federal prison; 3 years supervised release

According to court documents, law enforcement identified a drug trafficking organization operating out of a near east-side Indianapolis business in 2023. Investigators learned that in 2019, Eric Kendrick leased commercial property at 5641 Massachusetts Avenue. Law enforcement discovered that Kendrick used this location as a stash house for storing and distributing cocaine.

On May 31, 2023, courier Joaquin Ramirez‑Molina arrived at the stash house with two suitcases filled with cocaine. Around the same time, Kristopher Chavez arrived with contraband in his vehicle, and the pair retrieved items used to repackage the drugs, including a vacuum sealer, heat‑seal bags, duct tape, and a black duffel bag containing $200,000 in cash for payment.

Moments later, Delray Bragg arrived to pick up ten kilograms of cocaine for redistribution. As he left the property, IMPD officers conducted a traffic stop. Before officers searched his vehicle, Bragg alerted other members of the organization via text message, prompting them to flee the stash house.

Subsequent searches of the property and the defendants’ residences followed. In total, the investigation recovered the following contraband and proceeds of criminal activity:

• $582,591 in cash
• 55 kilograms of cocaine
• Ruger 57 Pistol 
• Glock 23 Gen 5 Pistol 
• Glock 22 Gen 4 Pistol 
• Glock 19 Pistol
• Glock 27 Pistol
• Sig Saurer Pistol
• Pioneer Arms Co. Handgun
• 2023 Mercedes Benz 
• 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu 
• 2014 Chevrolet Camaro 
• Assorted ammunition

“Shipments containing multiple kilograms of cocaine, delivered in suitcases, underscores the profound danger these drugs pose. The larger the number of drugs, the larger the threat to our community, and accordingly the more aggressive the response of my office and our law enforcement partners,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our federal prosecutors remain steadfast in partnering with the DEA, ATF and local drug task forces to remove dealers from our streets. These poisons are devastating our neighborhoods and the people we love, and we are committed to confronting that harm with every tool at our disposal.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, IMPD, and the Hamilton/Boone Drug Task Force investigated this case. 

The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II.