Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Dermot Shea, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), and Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced the return today of an Indictment charging DERRICK RICHARDSON, a/k/a “J Rocc,” with the September 19, 2015, murder of Nestor Suazo, 25, in the vicinity of East Tremont Avenue and Clinton Avenue in the Bronx, New York.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Nearly five years ago, Nestor Suazo’s life was senselessly taken. As alleged in the Indictment, Derrick Richardson was one of those responsible for that terrible crime. Now, thanks to the determination of our law enforcement partners at the NYPD and HSI, Richardson faces federal murder charges.”
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “The ability of investigators to bring about justice for this young man and provide a sense of closure to his family is paramount. The identification and arrest of the suspect in this case was a joint effort that would not have been possible without the collaboration between the NYPD and our law enforcement partners. I thank the U.S. Attorney and the NYPD Detectives and HSI agents involved in this case.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said: “Derrick Richardson is charged with the horrible crime of murdering Nestor Suazo in the Bronx in 2015. As alleged in the indictment, Richardson is a member of the Rollin' 30s Crip, a gang that committed and threatened to commit acts of violence in order to promote its interests. HSI stands united with its law enforcement partners to bring closure to the families of those lost to gang violence by finding and arresting the alleged offenders and seeking justice for their criminal acts.”
As alleged in the Indictment returned today[1]:
RICHARDSON was a member of a racketeering enterprise known as the Rollin’ 30s Crips. In order to fund the enterprise, protect and expand its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Rollin’ 30s committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder and robbery; they conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics; and they obtained, possessed, and used firearms, including by brandishing and discharging them.
In connection with his membership in the gang, on or about September 19, 2015, RICHARDSON shot and killed Nestor Suazo in the vicinity of East Tremont Avenue and Clinton Avenue in the Bronx, New York.
RICHARDSON, 27, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison, and murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and HSI.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is 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.
