20 Members And Associates Of Bronx Gang Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Racketeering, Robbery, Narcotics, And Firearms Offenses

Two Defendants Are Charged With The 2011 Murder of Daniel Delgado

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), and James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced the unsealing today of a Superseding Indictment charging a total of 20 members and associates of a branch of the MacBallas street gang operating primarily in and around the Andrew Jackson and Melrose Houses in the Bronx with racketeering, narcotics, robbery, and firearms offenses.  Two defendants are charged with the 2011 murder of Daniel Delgado.

A total of 12 defendants were taken into custody today; three other defendants were already in federal custody; and three are in state custody.  Fourteen of the 20 defendants will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin N. Fox later today.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.   

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the Indictment, the defendants brought violence, fear, and drugs to the streets of New York.  The people of this city will not stand for it, and neither will we.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of the NYPD and DEA, the defendants will now face justice for their alleged crimes.” 

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Gang and crew activity, particularly in the Bronx as we’ve seen of late, is responsible for much of the violence in our city.  This behavior will never be tolerated by New Yorkers, and I thank our federal partners at the DEA and the Southern District for strengthening the NYPD’s relentless efforts to rid our streets of these criminals.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said:  “Gang violence begets violence and turns neighborhoods into battlegrounds.  Law enforcement knows that shutting down gangs’ drug and gun networks lays a foundation for safer communities.  Today’s arrests demonstrate that we are proactively safeguarding our communities by dismantling one gang at a time.”

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and in other court papers[1]:

From 2011 through June 2018, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, TOSHNELLE FOSTER, a/k/a “Tosh,” CHRISTOPHER ASHE, a/k/a “Chips,” DAWAYNE BELL, JASON CHRISTIAN, a/k/a “Hungry,” NAVONE DOZIER, a/k/a “Dollaz,” KEVON GAITHER, a/k/a “KK,” CLARENCE GLASGO, a/k/a “Chuck,” XAVIER HOLMAN, a/k/a “Rico,” JAFARI JONES, a/k/a “JJ,” SEAN JONES, a/k/a “S Dot,” KEENAN MCFARLAND, AUSTIN MORRISHOW, a/k/a “Chuckey,” DEANDRE MORRISON, a/k/a “D Nice,” DEONTE MORRISON, a/k/a “Suki,” KEITH OUTLAW, a/k/a “Keefy,” LASYAH PALMER, a/k/a “Timbo,” JASON RAMOS, a/k/a “Chico,” FRANCISCO TORRES, a/k/a “Baby,” and BO WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Boski,” were all members and associates of the MacBallas street gang, whose territory was centered in and around the Andrew Jackson and Melrose housing projects in the Bronx, New York.  In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members of the MacBallas engaged in, among other things, narcotics trafficking, robbery, and other acts of violence, including murder.  MacBallas members sold heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana in the gang’s territory, promoted their gang affiliation on social media sites like Facebook, possessed shared firearms, and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership.

In particular, on August 1, 2011, DEANDRE MORRISON and NATHANIEL FLUDD murdered Daniel Delgado in order to maintain and increase their status in the MacBallas gang.

Members of the MacBallas gang also participated in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics in and around the MacBallas territory in the Bronx.  In particular, CHRISTIAN, ASHE, DOZIER, GAITHER, JAFARI JONES, SEAN JONES, McFARLAND, MORRISHOW, DEONTE MORRISON, OUTLAW, PALMER, RAMOS, TORRES, and WILLIAMS participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, marijuana, and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.

Charts containing the names, 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’s Bronx Violent Crimes Squad and the New York Field Division of the DEA.

The charges contained in the Indictments 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)	TOSHNELLE FOSTER, 26 CHRISTOPHER ASHE, 21 DAWAYNE BELL, 27 JASON CHRISTIAN, 37 NAVONE DOZIER, 23 KEVON GAITHER, 22 CLARENCE GLASGO, 23 XAVIER HOLMAN, 28 JAFARI JONES, 23 SEAN JONES, 28 KEENAN McFARLAND, 22 AUSTIN MORRISHOW, 20 DEANDRE MORRISON, 26 DEONTE MORRISON, 24 KEITH OUTLAW, 26 LASYAH PALMER, 29 JASON RAMOS, 23 FRANCISCO TORRES, 27 BO WILLIAMS, 27	20 years
2	Narcotics Conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	JASON CHRISTIAN CHRISTOPHER ASHE NAVONE DOZIER KEVON GAITHER JAFARI JONES SEAN JONES KEENAN McFARLAND AUSTIN MORRISHOW DEONTE MORRISON KEITH OUTLAW LASYAH PALMER JASON RAMOS FRANCISCO TORRES BO WILLIAMS	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
3	Murder in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1)	NATHANIEL FLUDD DEANDRE MORRISON	Death, or Life in prison
4	Causing Death through use of a Firearm 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)	NATHANIEL FLUDD DEANDRE MORRISON	Death, or Life in prison
5	Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), 1959(a)(5) and 2	SEAN JONES NAVONE DOZIER DAWAYNE BELL CLARENCE GLASGO	20 years in prison
6	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 2	SEAN JONES NAVONE DOZIER DAWAYNE BELL CLARENCE GLASGO	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
7	Hobs Act Robbery 18 U.S.C. § 1951	JAFARI JONES	20 years in prison
8	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 2	JAFARI JONES	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
9	Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), 1959(a)(5) and 2	KEITH OUTLAW	20 years in prison
10	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 2	KEITH OUTLAW	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
11	Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), 1959(a)(5) and 2	DEONTE MORRISON	20 years in prison
12	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 2	DEONTE MORRISON	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
13	Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), 1959(a)(5) and 2	TOSHNELLE FOSTER	20 years in prison
14	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 2	TOSHNELLE FOSTER	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
15	Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), 1959(a)(5) and 2	KEITH OUTLAW	20 years in prison
16	Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), 1959(a)(5) and 2	XAVIER HOLMAN	20 years in prison
17	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 2	XAVIER HOLMAN	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
18	Felon in Possession of Ammunition 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)	XAVIER HOLMAN	10 years in prison
19	Felon in Possession of Ammunition 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)	KEENAN McFARLAND	10 years in prison
20	Firearms Offense 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 2	JASON CHRISTIAN KEENAN McFARLAND AUSTIN MORRISHOW LASYAH PALMER JASON RAMOS FRANCISCO TORRES BO WILLIAMS	Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison

[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.

25 Members And Associates Of Bronx Drug-Distribution Organizations Charged With Narcotics, Robbery, And Firearms Offenses

  Joon Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Darcel Clark, the Bronx County District Attorney, Ashan Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) New York, and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), today announced the unsealing of two Indictments charging 25 defendants with a variety of narcotics, firearms, and robbery-related offenses. 

Of the 25 defendants, 21 are associated with a drug-distribution organization operating primarily in the Hunts Point neighborhood in the Bronx and are charged in United States v. Hector Palermo, et al. (the “Palermo Indictment”), which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.  Of those defendants, 14 were taken into federal custody today and were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses today.  One defendant, FREDERICK BURGOS, was presented in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  MIGUEL RAMIREZ, FELIX CORDERO SR., KHAALIQ HARRIS, ANGEL BERMUDEZ, ELVIN MALDONADO, AND STEVEN VEGA remain at large.

The remaining four defendants are charged in United States v. Lattine Clark, et al. (the “Clark Indictment”), which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick.  Of those defendants, three were taken into federal custody today and were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses today.  One defendant, TREVON NEDD, is currently detained in federal custody on unrelated charges and will be brought into federal custody on a writ.

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said:  “One by one, our office, along with our law enforcement partners, is identifying and prosecuting the violent gangs and drug dealing crews operating in the Bronx. These alleged gangs and drug crews – including the ones charged today – bring narcotics, guns, and violence to our neighborhoods. The residents of the communities they harm deserve better.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict said:  “Today's arrests are the culmination of a nearly two-year long investigation by ATF's Joint Firearms Task Force, NYPD, and HSI into alleged narcotics trafficking, armed robberies, and the illicit possession of firearms by criminal elements operating in the Hunts Point area of the Bronx. Through the cooperative efforts of law enforcement, these individuals are off the streets and will face justice in federal court for their alleged crimes. Today it is a better day to be a resident of Hunts Point, and all of us will continue our efforts to ensure it stays that way. I would like to extend my gratitude to the ATF and HSI Special Agents, NYPD Detectives, and Assistant United States Attorneys for their hard work and dedication throughout this investigation.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez, said:  “It’s a good day when more than two dozen alleged gun-wielding drug pushers are taken off the street. These individuals are alleged to deal crack cocaine and heroin in their own backyards and commit robberies at gunpoint.  Today’s arrests are another great example of law enforcement working together in the interest of justice and making our communities safer.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “We will continue to pursue those who commit violence in our streets.  This morning’s arrest of 25 defendants in the Bronx is just the latest example.  I’m thankful to the help and cooperation from our many law enforcement partners in this takedown and many others.”

The Indictments arise from a joint investigation by the NYPD, ATF, and HSI into several drug trafficking organizations operating in the Hunts Point area of the Bronx, New York.  As alleged in the Palermo Indictment, the 21 defendants charged in that case are responsible for the distribution of large amounts of crack cocaine and heroin, and used, carried, and possessed firearms in connection with that drug trafficking. 

As alleged in the Clark Indictment, LATTINE CLARK, MICHAEL PATTERSON, and TREVON NEDD participated in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in the Hunts Point area, and RUBEN VIZCARRANDO participated in another conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in Hunts Point.  As further alleged, CLARK was a participant in a shootout, during which he fired a gun, in the vicinity of Coster Street and Spofford Avenue, on October 16, 2016.  PATTERSON, NEDD, and VIZCARRANDO are all alleged to have participated in a Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, and a gunpoint Hobbs Act robbery of suspected narcotics traffickers in the Marble Hill area on June 22, 2016, during which robbery PATTERSON and another unnamed co-conspirator fired their weapons.         

Count One of the Palermo Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court,[1] charges HECTOR PALERMO, MIGUEL GUZMAN, MIGUEL RAMIREZ, FELIX CORDERO SR.,  MATTHEW PRESTOL, CHRIS ALICEA, KHAALIQ HARRIS, ADRIAN QUINONES, FREDERICK BURGOS, RAFAEL GONZALEZ, ANGEL BERMUDEZ, JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, JESUS ANDINO, ELVIN MALDONADO, JOSE AYALA, ESTEBAN MARTINEZ, CHRISTIAN RIVERA, STEVEN VEGA, DENISE ORTIZ, CARMEN ROMAN, and ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.    

Count Two charges GUZMAN, RAMIREZ, CORDERO SR., PRESTOL, ALICEA, BURGOS, GONZALEZ, RODRIGUEZ, and VEGA, with using, possessing, and carrying firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy charged in Count One.

Count Three charges RAMIREZ with possessing ammunition, which had previously been shipped in interstate commerce, after a prior felony conviction.

Count One of the Clark Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court,[2] charges LATTINE CLARK, TREVON NEDD, and MICHAEL PATTERSON with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Count Two charges CLARK with using, possessing, and carrying firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy charged in Count One. 

Count Three charges RUBEN VIZCARRONDO with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Count Four charges NEDD, PATTERSON, and VIZCARRONDO with participating in a conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery between 2015 and May 2017.  Count Four charges that this conspiracy involved armed robberies of suspected narcotics traffickers and others involved in commercial activities that affected interstate commerce.

Count Five charges NEDD, PATTERSON, and VIZCARRONDO with committing a robbery of suspected narcotics traffickers on June 22, 2016, in the vicinity of Marble Hill, New York.

Charts containing the names, ages, residences, 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. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, ATF, and HSI, and expressed gratitude for the coordinated efforts of the NYPD’s Violent Crime Squad and 41st Precinct.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Krissoff and Jason A. Richman are in charge of the prosecution.

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

United States v. Hector Palermo, et al.

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 846	HECTOR PALERMO MIGUEL GUZMAN MIGUEL RAMIREZ FELIX CORDERO SR.  MATTHEW PRESTOL CHRIS ALICEA KHAALIQ HARRIS ADRIAN QUINONES FREDERICK BURGOS RAFAEL GONZALEZ ANGEL BERMUDEZ JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ JESUS ANDINO ELVIN MALDONADO JOSE AYALA ESTEBAN MARTINEZ CHRISTIAN RIVERA STEVEN VEGA DENISE ORTIZ CARMEN ROMAN ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2	Using, carrying, possessing firearms in furtherance of narcotics conspiracy   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	MIGUEL GUZMAN MIGUEL RAMIREZ FELIX CORDERO SR. MATTHEW PRESTOL CHRIS ALICEA FREDERICK BURGOS RAFAEL GONZALEZ JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ STEVEN VEGA	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison
3	Felon in possession of ammunition   18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g) and 2	MIGUEL RAMIREZ	10 years’ imprisonment

DEFENDANT	AGE	RESIDENCE
HECTOR PALERMO, a/k/a “Hec”	35	Newark, New Jersey
MIGUEL GUZMAN	29	Bronx, New York
MIGUEL RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Mickey”	27	Bronx, New York
FELIX CORDERO SR., a/k/a “Pops”	50	Bronx, New York
MATTHEW PRESTOL, a/k/a “Wiz”	19	Bronx, New York
CHRIS ALICEA	18	Bronx, New York
KHAALIQ HARRIS, a/k/a “Rooster”	21	Bronx, New York
ADRIAN QUINONES, a/k/a “Five”	24	Bronx, New York
FREDERICK BURGOS, a/k/a “Flee,” a/k/a “Lee”	37	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
RAFAEL GONZALEZ, a/k/a June”	45	Bronx, New York
ANGEL BERMUDEZ, a/k/a “Para”	21	Bronx, New York
JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “J.C.”	20	Bronx, New York
JESUS ANDINO, a/k/a “Chico”	32	Bronx, New York
ELVIN MALDONADO, a/k/a “LV”	30	Bronx, New York
JOSE AYALA	49	Bronx, New York
ESTEBAN MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Esco”	34	Bronx, New York
CHRISTIAN RIVERA, a/k/a “Rico”	23	Bronx, New York
STEVEN VEGA, a/k/a “Nene”	25	Bronx, New York
DENISE ORTIZ	36	Bronx, New York
CARMEN ROMAN	56	Bronx, New York
ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ	20	Bronx, New York

United States v. Lattine Clark, et al.

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 846	LATTINE CLARK TREVON NEDD MICHAEL PATTERSON	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), 2	LATTINE CLARK	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
3	Narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 846	RUBEN VIZCARRONDO	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
4	Robbery Conspiracy   18 U.S.C. § 1951	TREVON NEDD MICHAEL PATTERSON RUBEN VIZCARRONDO	20 years in prison
5	Robbery   18 U.S.C. § 1951	TREVON NEDD MICHAEL PATTERSON RUBEN VIZCARRONDO	20 years in prison

DEFENDANT	AGE	RESIDENCE
LATTINE CLARK, a/k/a “Dutts”	20	Bronx, New York
TREVON NEDD, a/k/a “Hat Boy”	31	Federal Custody
MICHAEL PATTERSON	22	Bronx, New York
RUBEN VIZCARRONDO	26	Bronx, New York

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

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

19 Members And Associates Of Violent Street Gang In The Bronx Charged In Federal Court With Racketeering, Narcotics, Robbery, Extortion, And Firearms Offenses

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced charges yesterday against 19 members and associates of the “Slut Gang,” a violent street gang operating in the Bronx, New York, primarily at the Boston Secor public housing development (“Secor”). The defendants are charged with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, robbery conspiracy, extortion, and firearms offenses.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Today’s indictment charges members and associates of a violent street gang with allegedly wreaking havoc on the streets of the Northern Bronx for years, committing countless acts of violence against rival gang members and innocents alike. Thanks to the terrific investigative work of the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI’s Violent Gang Unit, and the New York Field Division of the DEA, these alleged criminals will face justice in federal court.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “This gang allegedly acted with impunity in the Bronx. But this morning, detectives and agents carried out precise, targeted arrests against the defendants who, as alleged, committed robberies, shootings, and other violence to protect their drug trade. Tonight, the Bronx will be even safer because of the persistence of our detectives, DEA and HIS agents, and prosecutors in the Southern District who brought today’s charges.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said: “Drugs, guns, and robbery are just the beginning of the charges faced by members of the Slut Gang. This is a violent street gang with alleged involvement in shootings, stabbings, and beatings over several years. The collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies is paramount to gang investigations in New York and forcing gang members to face charges for their actions.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said: “Gangs in New York that allegedly traffic drugs throughout our city streets fuel addiction and violent crime. Law enforcement’s focused efforts to reclaim our city from these gangs have led to numerous takedowns over the past three years and yesterday’s arrests.”

According to the Superseding Indictment[1] unsealed in Manhattan federal court and other publicly filed documents:

The Superseding Indictment arises from a joint investigation, beginning in 2014, by the NYPD, HSI, the DEA, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives into a number of warring street gangs in the Northern Bronx. On April 27, 2016, 120 members of two of these gangs – the Big Money Bosses (“BMB”) and the 2Fly YGz (“2Fly”) – were charged in two cases pending now before United States District Judges Alison J. Nathan and Lewis A. Kaplan – U.S. v. Nico Burrell et al., and U.S. v. Laquan Parrish et al. Forty-seven of 63 defendants in Burrell have already pled guilty, and 49 of 57 defendants in Parrish have already pled guilty.

One of the primary rivals of BMB and 2Fly was the Slut Gang. The Superseding Indictment charges members and associates of the Slut Gang with numerous acts of fatal and non-fatal violence during last several years, including shootings, stabbings, slashings, beatings, extortion, and robberies, as well as drug dealing.

To date, agents and officers have seized, among other evidence, quantities of crack, heroin, MDMA, and marijuana, as well as firearms and ammunition. During the investigation, pursuant to court-authorized electronic surveillance, agents and officers also intercepted hundreds of phone calls, during many of which various members and associates of the

Slut Gang discussed their racketeering and narcotics activities.

In a coordinated operation, 12 defendants were arrested in New York Wednesday and yesterday. They were presented yesterday afternoon in Manhattan federal court. Defendant KERMIT IRIZARRY was in custody on state charges and was transferred to federal custody. Defendant MAURICE STEELE was arrested and was presented yesterday in the Middle District of Florida. Defendant STEVE BORIA was already in federal custody on a related charge. The following defendants are still being sought: NIORGE LOPEZ, JONATHAN FERRELL, DAYVON WILSON, and ISAIAH GRANT. 

Charts identifying each defendant, the charges, and the maximum penalties are in the indictment below.

Download u.s._v._steve_boria_et_al_indictment.pdf

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI’s Violent Gang Unit, and the New York Field Division of the DEA, as well as the United States Marshals’ Service, New York State Office of Probation, and New York State Division of Parole for their assistance in yesterday’s arrests. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Investigation for their support in this ongoing investigation.

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

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

49 Members And Associates Of Two Bronx Drug Distribution Organizations Charged In Federal Court With Narcotics, And Firearms Offenses, Robbery, Part One

Charges Include the December 11, 2016, Murder of Jose Morales

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Darcel D. Clark, the Bronx County District Attorney, James O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), today announced the unsealing of two Indictments charging 49 members of two Bronx-based drug distribution organizations, with various narcotics, robbery, and firearms offenses, including the murder of Jose Morales on December 11, 2016.

Fifteen defendants associated with a drug distribution organization operating primarily on East 175th Street and Monroe Avenue in the Bronx are charged in United States v. James Felton, et al., which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley.  The defendants taken into federal custody today were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses and Henry B. Pitman.  Three defendants, JAMES FELTON, JAMES DIAZ, and ANDRE FELTON, are currently incarcerated in federal custody on related charges and will be arraigned on the Indictment before Judge Pauley on March 23, 2017.

Thirty-four defendants associated with a drug distribution organization operating primarily on Weeks Avenue and East 176th Street in the Bronx are charged in United States v. Edwin Romero, et al., which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska.  The defendants taken into federal custody today were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses and Henry B. Pitman. 

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Dozens of alleged members of two drug distribution organizations have been charged with peddling potentially lethal drugs.  Many are also charged with committing violent crimes, including four who allegedly murdered Jose Morales in furtherance of their drug business.  All New Yorkers are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes, free from the devastating effects of drugs and the violence that can accompany drug trafficking.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to work to return the neighborhoods of the Bronx to the law-abiding people who live in them.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said:  “This case crystallizes how drug dealing’s attendant violence devastates our neighborhoods.  These two organizations held the Mount Hope area in a vise grip of numerous street shootings, including at least one murder.  In our fight against heroin and other drugs, we must always remain focused on the community residents who are victimized by these vicious traffickers.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Today’s arrests are the latest example of drug dealing that led to violence, including armed robberies and a murder in the Bronx, as alleged.  This type of precision policing is leading to further reductions in crime beyond last year’s all-time low. Many thanks to the detectives, agents, and the prosecutors in the Southern District we so often work with and whose diligence resulted in the leveling of these serious drug trafficking charges today.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “Today the law enforcement community in New York struck a serious blow to violent drug distribution organizations that operate in our city.  Two such organizations allegedly flooded the community of Mount Hope in the Bronx with heroin, crack cocaine, fear and death.  This is yet another step in our efforts to bring peace and hope to our communities by removing the alleged leadership and rank-and-file members of these organizations, putting an end to their menacing criminal conduct.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division James J. Hunt said: “Guns, violence and turf wars plague neighborhoods that drug dealers have turned into battlefields.  Today, law enforcement has reclaimed the Mount Hope section of the Bronx by arresting dozens of alleged members of two drug trafficking organizations.  DEA Agents working with HSI, NYPD, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the SDNY U.S. Attorney’s Office identified and dismantled these crews allegedly responsible for fueling drug addiction and drug-related violence.”                               

The Indictments[1] arise from a joint investigation by HSI, the DEA, and the NYPD into two violent drug trafficking organizations that operated in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx.  Members of these drug trafficking organizations sold crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and they possessed and used firearms to further their drug trafficking activities.

Count One of the Indictment in U.S. v. James Felton, et al., unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, charges JAMES FELTON, JAMES DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, EZEKIEL BURLEY, URIAH BROWN, BRADFORD CANNON, WILLIE REEVES, HAROLD FIELDS, ROBERT BRENT, DASHAUN MCDONALD, MATTHEW TORRES, TYRONE TURNER, KENDRICK MCCRAY, GINGER DIAZ, and JOSE SANDOVAL with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

Counts Two charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, and BURLEY with the murder of Jose Morales, which occurred on December 11, 2016, in the vicinity of East 175th Street and Weeks Avenue, in the course of a narcotics conspiracy.

Count Three charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, and BURLEY with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, resulting in the death of Jose Morales on December 11, 2016.

Count Four charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, and BURLEY with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, on dates other than December 11, 2016.

Count Five charges BROWN, CANNON, REEVES, FIELDS, BRENT, MCDONALD, TORRES, TURNER, MCCRAY, DIAZ, and SANDOVAL with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy.

Count One of the Indictment in U.S. v. Edwin Romero, et al., unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, charges EDWIN ROMERO, RAFAEL ROMERO, FRANCIS PALUZZI, LUIS GONZALEZ, ANIBAL GONZALEZ, CARLOS MOTA, ELIMANUEL DIAZ, PEDRO OLIVO, ADRIAN SANCHEZ, DARYL SIMON, JEFFREY FERNANDEZ, JUAN VALDEZ, WILLIE TUCKER, KASAN NOBLE, DAMIAN SAUNDERS, DANIEL JEFFERSON, DERECK JEFFERSON, WAYNE SCOTT, ERIC RIVERA, MICHAEL MARTINEZ, MAXAMILLION MERCADO, KAREEM SIMMONDS, ALEXANDER PENA, ANTHONY CLASE, CARLOS ACOSTA, CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, GABRIEL GONZALEZ, JESUS MATA, NANA OWUSU, ROBERTO RAMIREZ, WILPHER RODRIGUEZ, YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ, JESUS ABAD, and ANGEL GUANCE with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

Count Two charges EDWIN ROMERO, SANCHEZ, VALDEZ, TUCKER, and YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ with conspiring to commit robbery.

Count Three charges EDWIN ROMERO, RAFAEL ROMERO, FRANCIS PALUZZI, LUIS GONZALEZ, ANIBAL GONZALEZ, CARLOS MOTA, ELIMANUEL DIAZ, PEDRO OLIVO, ADRIAN SANCHEZ, DARYL SIMON, JEFFREY FERNANDEZ, JUAN VALDEZ, WILLIE TUCKER, KASAN NOBLE, DAMIAN SAUNDERS, DANIEL JEFFERSON, DERECK JEFFERSON, WAYNE SCOTT, ERIC RIVERA, MICHAEL MARTINEZ, KAREEM SIMMONDS, ALEXANDER PENA, ANTHONY CLASE, CARLOS ACOSTA, CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, GABRIEL GONZALEZ, JESUS MATA, NANA OWUSU, ROBERTO RAMIREZ, WILPHER RODRIGUEZ, YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ, JESUS ABAD, and ANGEL GUANCE with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy.

Count Four charges EDWIN ROMERO with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Charts containing the names, ages, residences, 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 respective judges.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, HSI, and DEA, and expressed gratitude for the coordinated efforts of the NYPD’s Detective Bureau, including the Bronx Violent Crime Squad, the 46th Precinct Detectives Squad, and the Bronx Homicide Task Force.  Mr. Kim also expressed gratitude to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this investigation. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Balsamello, Matthew Laroche, Anden Chow, and Michael Krouse, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hellman (cross-designated from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office) are in charge of the prosecution.

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

United States v. James Felton, et al., S2 17 Cr. 21 (WHP)

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 846	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ ANDRE FELTON EZEKIEL BURLEY URIAH BROWN BRADFORD CANNON WILLIE REEVES HAROLD FIELDS ROBERT BRENT DASHAUN MCDONALD MATTHEW TORRES TYRONE TURNER KENDRICK MCCRAY GINGER DIAZ JOSE SANDOVAL	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
2	Murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy   21 U.S.C. § 848(e)(1)(A); 18 U.S.C. § 2	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ ANDRE FELTON EZEKIEL BURLEY	Life in prison or death   Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison
3	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms, causing death   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j)(1) and 2	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ ANDRE FELTON EZEKIEL BURLEY	Life in prison or death
4	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), 924(c)(1)(C)(i), and 2	JAMES FELTON JAMES DIAZ EZEKIEL BURLEY	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for DIAZ and BURLEY   Mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison for JAMES FELTON
5	Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms   18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), 2	URIAH BROWN BRADFORD CANNON WILLIE REEVES HAROLD FIELDS ROBERT BRENT DASHAUN MCDONALD MATTHEW TORRES TYRONE TURNER KENDRICK MCCRAY GINGER DIAZ JOSE SANDOVAL	Life in prison   Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison

DEFENDANT	AGE	RESIDENCE
JAMES FELTON	47	Bronx, New York
JAMES DIAZ, a/k/a “Chunky”	24	Bronx, New York
ANDRE FELTON, a/k/a “Dre”	39	Mount Vernon, New York
EZEKIEL BURLEY, a/k/a “Ezekiel McCall” a/k/a “Zeke” a/k/a “Ziggy”	23	Bronx, New York
URIAH BROWN, a/k/a “Scooter”	42	Bronx, New York
BRADFORD CANNON, a/k/a “Brad”	46	Bronx, New York
WILLIE REEVES, a/k/a “Willie Reed” a/k/a “Willow”	30	Bronx, New York
HAROLD FIELDS, a/k/a “Howie” a/k/a “HD”	38	Bronx, New York
ROBERT BRENT, a/k/a “Ready”	45	Brooklyn, New York
DASHAUN MCDONALD, a/k/a “Dayday”	27	Bronx, New York
MATTHEW TORRES, a/k/a “Mac Mittens” a/k/a “Green Eyes”	33	Bronx, New York
TYRONE TURNER, a/k/a “Skrap”	32	Bronx, New York
KENDRICK MCCRAY, a/k/a “Kenny”	43	Bronx, New York
GINGER DIAZ, a/k/a “George”	30	Bronx, New York
JOSE SANDOVAL, a/k/a “Shorty”	41	Bronx, New York

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