14 Defendants Charged With Racketeering, Murder, Firearms, And Narcotics Offenses

Alexander Arguedas is Charged with the December 2012 Murder of Gary Rodriguez

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Darcel D. Clark, District Attorney for Bronx County, Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New York (“HSI”), and Cynthia Brann, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction (“NYCDOC”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS, a/k/a “Reckless,” MICHAEL DELAGUILA, a/k/a “Grizz,” STEVEN JUSTO, a/k/a “Riko,” DAVONTE BROWN, a/k/a “Tae,” JACOBB PADIN, a/k/a “Chino,” EDGARDO BARANCO, a/k/a “Slime,” ABBAS OZKURT, a/k/a “AB,” JAHVONNE CHAMBERS, a/k/a “JV,” DENISE BULLOCK, a/k/a “Mocha,” SIMONE CORDERO, a/k/a “Mixy,” MATTHEW NIEVES, a/k/a “WB,” TYERANCE MICKEY, a/k/a “Hoodlum,” and MARK BROCK, a/k/a “Rover,” with racketeering, firearms, and narcotics offenses, in connection with their membership and association with the Black Stone Gorilla Gang (“BSGG”).  ARGUEDAS is also charged with the December 9, 2012, murder of Gary Rodriguez.  ANDRE CURRY, a/k/a “Flex,” is charged with narcotics and firearms offenses. 

Seven defendants were arrested today and will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron.  Three defendants were already in federal or state custody on other charges.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Jesse M. Furman.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Today’s indictment charges members and associates of a violent gang that allegedly wreaked havoc in the Bronx for years, committing numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and innocent victims.  These charges are the product of a joint effort between our Office and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, whom we thank for their outstanding partnership, not only in this case, but in our ongoing, shared commitment to keeping the people of the Bronx safe from violence.  Because of that partnership, and thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the NYPD, DEA, Department of Correction, HSI, and Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the defendants now face federal charges for their alleged crimes.”           

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said:  “This gang has allegedly brought violence, guns and illicit narcotics to Bronx streets, and my Office’s partnership with U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman, the NYPD, the DEA, the Department of Correction, and HSI has now brought them to justice. We remain unrelenting in putting such violent criminal enterprises out of business.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “The NYPD’s work to identify and dismantle gangs and crews, and prevent the violence so often associated with their activities, continues to be of paramount importance to the NYPD and all our law enforcement partners.  I thank the NYPD detectives involved in this case and our law enforcement partners for their hard work which resulted in these arrests.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan said:  “With deep rooted history of violence both in and outside of prison, the Black Stone Gorilla Gang is a fierce threat to New Yorkers.  Today’s arrests have put an alleged murderer in jail along with 13 other gang associates allegedly embedded in racketeering, fraud, firearms, narcotics trafficking and/or assaults.  I thank our law enforcement partners for their collaboration and partnership.” 

NYCDOC Commissioner Cynthia Brann said:  “Our Correction Intelligence Bureau works tirelessly to reduce violence and increase safety in our facilities, and we are proud of their hard work in this case, which involved many hours of collaboration with our fellow law enforcement partners.  Gang activity drives a disproportionate amount of violence in our city, in both the streets and the jails, and because of these efforts both communities are safer.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “HSI is always willing to assist our law enforcement partners in any criminal investigation where our resources, capabilities and personnel can be of value.  Bringing these dangerous individuals to face justice is why we invest in the specialized training and equipment we keep at the ready.  HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to thrive in arresting those most dangerous because of the dedication and teamwork we put forward.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS, a/k/a “Reckless,” MICHAEL DELAGUILA, a/k/a “Grizz,” STEVEN JUSTO, a/k/a “Riko,” DAVONTE BROWN, a/k/a “Tae,” JACOBB PADIN, a/k/a “Chino,” EDGARDO BARANCO, a/k/a “Slime,” ABBAS OZKURT, a/k/a “AB,” JAHVONNE CHAMBERS, a/k/a “JV,” DENISE BULLOCK, a/k/a “Mocha,” SIMONE CORDERO, a/k/a “Mixy,” MATTHEW NIEVES, a/k/a “WB,” TYERANCE MICKEY, a/k/a “Hoodlum,” and MARK BROCK, a/k/a “Rover,” are members and associates of the Black Stone Gorilla Gang, a racketeering enterprise that operates principally in the New York City metropolitan area and in the jails and prisons of New York City and the State of New York.  In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, BSGG members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder and assaults; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; committed robberies; engaged in bank fraud and wire fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.  BSGG members also evaded prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by the gang.

On or about December 9, 2012, ARGUEDAS shot and killed Gary Rodriguez in the vicinity of 3089 Decatur Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

In or around 2018, ARGUEDAS and others conspired to murder a fellow BSGG member who had fallen out of ARGUEDAS’s favor.  At ARGUEDAS’s direction, another gang member shot at that individual.

On or about August 27, 2018, at ARGUEDAS’s direction, CHAMBERS attempted to slash a rival gang member with a scalpel in the Bronx, New York.

On or about November 12, 2019, ARGUEDAS and MICKEY assaulted a fellow BSGG member with a chair in the vicinity of 3063 Hull Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

On or about November 12, 2019, BROCK slashed an individual across the face in Manhattan, New York.

The defendants are also charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone, and marijuana from in or about 2011 through in or about March 2020.                

A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum and minimum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division and Financial Crimes Task Force, the DEA, the NYCDOC Correction Intelligence Bureau, HSI, and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTY
Count One	Racketeering Conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS MICHAEL DELAGUILA STEVEN JUSTO DAVONTE BROWN JACOBB PADIN EDGARDO BARANCO ABBAS OZKURT DENISE BULLOCK SIMONE CORDERO MATTHEW NIEVES	Life imprisonment
		JAHVONNE CHAMBERS	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Two	Murder in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS	Death or life Imprisonment; Mandatory minimum of life imprisonment
Count Three	Murder through the Use of a Firearm 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j) and 2	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS	Death or life imprisonment; Mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment
Count Four	Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS	10 years’ imprisonment
Court Five	Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Six	Firearms offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Count Seven	Attempted Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS JAHVONNE CHAMBERS	3 years’ imprisonment
Count Eight	Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS TYERANCE MICKEY	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Nine	Maiming, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	MARK BROCK	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Ten	Narcotics Conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS MICHAEL DELAGUILA STEVEN JUSTO DAVONTE BROWN JACOBB PADIN EDGARDO BARANCO ABBAS OZKURT DENISE BULLOCK SIMONE CORDERO MATTHEW NIEVES ANDRE CURRY	Life Mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment
Count Eleven	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS MICHAEL DELAGUILA STEVEN JUSTO JACOBB PADIN EDGARDO BARANCO ABBAS OZKURT MATTHEW NIEVES ANDRE CURRY	Life Mandatory minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Two Members Of Bronx Gang Charged With Racketeering, Firearms, And Narcotics Offenses

The Defendants Are Charged In Connection with a June 2018 Shooting in Which a 13-Year-Old Was Struck By Gunfire

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging two members of the Woodycrime gang (“Woodycrime”) with various racketeering, firearms, and narcotics offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder in aid of racketeering for committing a June 7, 2018, shooting in Nelson Playground in the Bronx, during which two individuals, including a 13-year-old child, were struck by gunfire.

The defendants, MARVIN GAMONEDA, a/k/a “June,” and LUILLY FERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Luigi,” were taken into custody yesterday evening.  They will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.   

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the defendants carried out a shooting in a playground that injured two individuals, including a child.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of the FBI and the NYPD, the defendants now face federal charges for their crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “As alleged, these men fired off weapons at a playground, and a child was hit, all because they wanted to protect their turf.  It’s not their turf, it’s not their land, they don’t own it, and everything they’re allegedly doing is illegal and potentially deadly.  I want to commend the outstanding work of the New York FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force for the investigation that led to the arrest of these two men, and doing all they can to get alleged criminals who show no respect for anyone’s life out of the communities they’re terrorizing.”

NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “The NYPD, in close cooperation with our federal partners, is making New Yorkers safer by focusing significant resources on the relatively small percentage of criminals responsible for much of our city’s crime and disorder.  I commend the NYPD officers, federal investigators, and prosecutors whose hard work resulted in these arrests and charges.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

Woodycrime was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including attempted murders and assaults, as well as drug dealing in the Bronx.  Members and associates of Woodycrime engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to preserve and expand the gang’s territory, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of Woodycrime enriched themselves by selling drugs, such as crack cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone, and MDMA or “ecstasy.”  

The Indictment charges GAMONEDA and FERNANDEZ in Count One with participating in a racketeering conspiracy.  Counts Two through Four charge the defendants with conspiracy to commit murder, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and a related firearms offense in connection with the Nelson Playground shooting.  Counts Five and Six charge the defendants with narcotics conspiracy and a related firearms offense.  Count Seven charges GAMONEDA with being a felon in possession of ammunition. 

Charts containing the names, ages, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and the FBI.

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

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	MARVIN GAMONEDA (33) LUILLY FERNANDEZ (26)	20 years in prison
2	Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	MARVIN GAMONEDA LUILLY FERNANDEZ	10 years in prison
3	Assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959	MARVIN GAMONEDA LUILLY FERNANDEZ	20 years in prison
4	Using and carrying firearms during and in relation to, and possessing firearms in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which firearms were discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)	MARVIN GAMONEDA LUILLY FERNANDEZ	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
5	Narcotics trafficking conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	MARVIN GAMONEDA LUILLY FERNANDEZ	5 years in prison
6	Using and carrying firearms during and in relation to, and possessing firearms in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)	MARVIN GAMONEDA LUILLY FERNANDEZ	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison
7	Possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)	MARVIN GAMONEDA	10 years in prison

11 Bronx Gang Members Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Racketeering, Firearms, And Narcotics Offenses

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging NYSHIEM SPENCER, a/k/a “Willy,” LAFONE ELEY, a/k/a “Fon Fon,” STEFVON ELEY, a/k/a “Balla,” SHALIK JENKINS, a/k/a “Sha Money,” a/k/a “Double O,” MALIK TUNSTALL, a/k/a “Leaky,” PRICE TUNSTALL, a/k/a “P-Black,” NASIR VINCENT, ALLAN GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Bobby,” JONELL DANFORTH, a/k/a “JD,” ELIJAH BURT, a/k/a “Dizzy,” and ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN with participating in a racketeering conspiracy as members and associates of the Monroe Houses Crew, which operates principally in the James Monroe Houses in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx.

As part of the racketeering conspiracy, SPENCER is charged with the October 31, 2017, murder of Luis Vargas.  LAFONE ELEY is charged with shooting at a rival gang member on June 25, 2017.  STEFVON ELEY is charged with shooting a disfavored member of the Monroe Houses Crew on June 30, 2017, and with shooting at rival gang members on May 30, 2018.  VINCENT, DANFORTH, and BURT are charged with slashing a rival gang member on September 14, 2019.  SPENCER, JENKINS, MALIK TUNSTALL, PRICE TUNSTALL, VINCENT, GONZALEZ, and DANFORTH are charged with participating in a narcotics conspiracy.  MCLAUGHLIN is charged with bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identify theft.  Seven defendants were arrested today and will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James L. Cott.  Three defendants are in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody at a later date.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Analisa Torres.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the defendants in this case were members of a violent crew operating in the James Monroe Houses in the Bronx.  The violence perpetrated by Monroe Houses Crew members is exemplified by the murder, slashing, and three shootings alleged in today’s indictment.  Thanks to the efforts of our partners at the NYPD, HSI, and DOI, the defendants now face federal charges for their crimes.”           

NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea said:  “Violence in the streets of New York City will not be tolerated.  The stellar investigative efforts of our NYPD detectives, working together with our law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors, has shut down a violent crew to maintain safety for all.”

HSI Special Agent-in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the Monroe Houses crew was responsible for multiple acts of violence and other forms of mayhem.  The defendants are charged with participating in shootings, a slashing, narcotics distribution, and bank fraud.  HSI is allied with our law enforcement partners to hold crew members accountable for the havoc they wreak on our communities, and together we will ensure there are consequences for their actions.”

DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said:  “DOI is committed to ensuring that New York City public housing remains free from violent gang activity that invades our communities and erodes the safety of residents.  We are proud to have partnered with the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, New York City Police Department, and the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations to secure today’s indictment and protect the residents of the James Monroe Houses.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

NYSHIEM SPENCER, a/k/a “Willy,” LAFONE ELEY, a/k/a “Fon Fon,” STEFVON ELEY, a/k/a “Balla,” SHALIK JENKINS, a/k/a “Sha Money,” a/k/a “Double O,” MALIK TUNSTALL, a/k/a “Leaky,” PRICE TUNSTALL, a/k/a “P-Black,” NASIR VINCENT, ALLAN GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Bobby,” JONELL DANFORTH, a/k/a “JD,” ELIJAH BURT, a/k/a “Dizzy,” and ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN,” are members and associates of the Monroe Houses Crew, a racketeering enterprise that operates principally in the James Monroe Houses.  In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, Monroe Houses Crew members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; committed robberies; engaged in fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.

On or about October 31, 2017, SPENCER and others planned and helped carry out a shooting that resulted in the death of Luis Vargas in the vicinity of 1715 Randall Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

On or about June 25, 2017, LAFONE ELEY and others shot at a rival gang member in the vicinity of the James Monroe Houses in the Bronx, New York.

On or about June 30, 2017, STEFVON ELEY shot and injured a member of the Monroe Houses Crew who had fallen out of favor with other members of the Monroe Houses Crew, in the vicinity of the James Monroe Houses in the Bronx, New York.

On or about May 30, 2018, STEFVON ELEY shot at rival gang members in the vicinity of Rosedale Avenue and Randall Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

On or about September 14, 2019, VINCENT, DANFORTH, BURT, and others slashed a rival gang member in the vicinity of 670 Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx, New York.                

A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum and minimum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, HSI, and DOI.

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

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTY
Count One	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	NYSHEIM SPENCER	Life imprisonment
		LAFONE ELEY STEFVON ELEY SHALIK JENKINS MALIK TUNSTALL PRICE TUNSTALL NASIR VINCENT ALLAN GONZALEZ JONELL DANFORTH ELIJAH BURT ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Two	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	LAFONE ELEY	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Three	Firearms offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	LAFONE ELEY	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Court Four	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	STEFVON ELEY	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Five	Firearms offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	STEFVON ELEY	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Count Six	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	STEFVON ELEY	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Seven	Firearms offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	STEFVON ELEY	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Count Eight	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	NASIR VINCENT JONELL DANFORTH ELIJAH BURT	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Nine	Narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	NYSHEIM SPENCER SHALIK JENKINS MALIK TUNSTALL PRICE TUNSTALL NASIR VINCENT ALLAN GONZALEZ JONELL DANFORTH	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Count Ten	Bank fraud conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1349	ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN	30 years’ imprisonment
Count Eleven	Aggravated identity theft 18 U.S.C. § 1028A and 2	ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN	Mandatory two years’ imprisonment

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Former U.S. Marine Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Explosives, Firearms, And Narcotics Offenses

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that RICHARD LAUGEL was sentenced to 121 months in prison for detonating a pipe bomb in the Bronx on March 2, 2016, along with firearms and narcotics offenses.  LAUGEL pled guilty on November 8, 2018, before United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who also imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Richard Laugel’s dangerous attempt to harm his neighbor by detonating a car bomb was, thankfully, unsuccessful.  His cache of weapons was also seized, and his narcotics businesses ended thanks to the extraordinary work of our law enforcement partners, making New York City streets safer.  Now Laugel will serve a lengthy prison sentence for his crimes.”

According to the Information, other filings in Manhattan federal court, and evidence presented in court at sentencing:

On March 2, 2016, LAUGEL placed an improvised explosive device (“IED”) under the rear tire well of his neighbor’s car, which was parked near their apartment building in the Bronx, New York.  LAUGEL, a former United States Marine, had constructed the IED using a metal pipe bomb, which he packed with nails and explosives and attached to a butane canister to increase the potential lethality of the device.  LAUGEL used a remote-detonation device to activate the bomb after his neighbor entered the car and drove several blocks away.  The force of the explosion blew out the airbags in the car and buckled the car doors.  The neighbor was not injured by the explosion.

On May 22, 2018, agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), officers with the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) executed a search warrant at LAUGEL’s home in the Bronx.  Law enforcement recovered from LAUGEL’s home and garage, among other items:

• 575 rounds of assorted ammunition
• 8 silencers and 32 silencer parts
• 5 home-made pistols
• 2 commercially manufactured pistols, one of which had an obliterated serial number
• 2 “switches” to convert pistols into fully automatic weapons
• 1 bump stock

During a subsequent search of LAUGEL’s apartment located near his home, law enforcement recovered evidence consistent with the manufacturing of alprazolam for distribution to customers online, including a powder mixing machine, pill press dies to stamp pills, and boxes of alprazolam packaged for shipment to customers.

In addition to the prison term, LAUGEL, 39, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of ATF, the NYPD, and HSI.

Bronx Man Sentenced To More Than 12 Years In Prison For Facilitation Of Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Firearms, And Identity Theft Crimes

Kevin Pinnock Posted Advertisements Online for Women He Forced to Engage in Commercial Sex

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that KEVIN PINNOCK, a/k/a “Kev Savage,” a/k/a “Sav,” was sentenced yesterday to 12 years and three months in prison for using the internet to facilitate sex trafficking, possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing stolen identification documents.  PINNOCK previously pled guilty before United States District Judge Deborah A. Batts, who also imposed yesterday’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Kevin Pinnock used violence and coercion to force women to engage in commercial sex for his own profit.  He will now serve a substantial prison sentence for his crimes.  The prosecution of Kevin Pinnock is part of our determined effort to deliver justice to victims of sex trafficking and other forms of commercial exploitation, and to deter others from engaging in this predatory criminal conduct.”

In sentencing PINNOCK, Judge Batts said:  “The nature of the crimes in which the defendant was convicted” were “unspeakable, violent, gratuitous crimes he arrogantly committed on young women for his financial gain,” and that his theft of others’ identities “show[s] a shocking disregard on the part of the defendant for the havoc his crimes create for innocent victims in terms of their ruined credit and long-term ramifications on their financial lives.”

According to the Complaint, Indictment, Superseding Indictment, and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during court proceedings:

In 2015 and 2016, PINNOCK posted online advertisements to solicit customers to engage in commercial sex with women PINNOCK forced into prostitution by violence, abuse, and coercion.  PINNOCK retained virtually all of the profits from his sex trafficking business. 

Since at least November 2016, PINNOCK sold crack cocaine and possessed a loaded firearm, which had been stolen, in order to protect his drug dealing business.  He also possessed dozens of stolen identification cards – including driver’s licenses and Social Security cards – which he sold to other individuals who were engaged in identity theft and fraud.  Many of the identification cards had been obtained through the commission of robberies.

In addition to his prison term, PINNOCK, 22, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release, a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $15,000, and restitution in the amount of $100,000.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and thanked the United States Secret Service, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, the New York City Police Department, and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

Bronx Man Pleads Guilty To Facilitation Of Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Firearms, And Identity Theft Charges

Kevin Pinnock Posted Advertisements Online for Women he Forced to Engage in Commercial Sex

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced today that KEVIN PINNOCK, a/k/a “Kev Savage,” a/k/a “Sav,” pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Deborah A. Batts to using the internet to facilitate sex trafficking, possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing stolen identification documents.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Kevin Pinnock used violence and coercion to force women to engage in commercial sex for his own profit.  With Kevin Pinnock’s guilty plea today, we seek to deliver justice to victims of sex trafficking and other forms of commercial exploitation and to deter others from engaging in this profoundly harmful criminal conduct.  Protecting the public from sex trafficking crimes remains a top priority for us and our law enforcement partners.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan M. Benedict said:  “Kevin Pinnock was allegedly involved in a multitude of criminal activities, which included using a firearm to protect his position on the street as a dealer in narcotics. Through the efforts of the Agents and Detectives of the ATF/ NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force (JFTF) working alongside Agents of HSI, Kevin Pinnock will be forced to contemplate his alleged crimes while serving a substantial sentence in prison. I would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies that worked collaboratively to further this case.  I would also like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “This man admitted his guilt in forcing women to perform sexual acts by threatening violence and abuse.  Pinnock was in for making a profit any way he can, with his crimes becoming more brazen; from robbery and ID theft to drug dealing and sex trafficking.  The plea today is only the beginning for Pinnock, who will now need to face the consequences of this actions.”

According to the Complaint, Indictment, Superseding Indictment, and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during PINNOCK’s plea proceedings:

In 2015 and 2016, PINNOCK posted online advertisements to solicit customers to engage in commercial sex with women PINNOCK forced into prostitution by violence, abuse, and coercion.  PINNOCK retained virtually all of the profits from his sex trafficking business. 

In at least November 2016, PINNOCK sold crack cocaine and possessed a loaded firearm, which had been stolen, in order to protect his drug dealing business.  He also possessed dozens of stolen identification cards – including driver’s licenses and Social Security cards – which he sold to other individuals who were engaged in identity theft and fraud.  Many of the identification cards had been obtained through the commission of robberies.

PINNOCK, 22, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested on January 5, 2017, in the Bronx, and has been in federal custody since.  PINNOCK pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison to be imposed consecutively to any other sentence and a maximum sentence of life in prison; possession with intent to use or transfer five or more identification documents or authentication features, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; aggravated identity theft, which requires a two-year prison term to be imposed consecutively to any other sentence; and use of interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

PINNOCK is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Batts on September 23, 2018.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and HSI, and thanked the United States Secret Service, the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, the New York City Police Department, and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.