Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, 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”), John B. Devito, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of a Superseding Indictment charging three additional individuals, ANTHONY ELLISON, a/k/a “Harv,” DENARD BUTLER, a/k/a “Drama,” and KINTEA MCKENZIE, a/k/a “Kooda B,” with racketeering and firearms offenses in connection with their membership in and association with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as “Nine Trey.” A fourth defendant, KIFANO JORDAN, a/k/a “Shotti,” who was named in the original indictment, faces additional racketeering and firearms charges.BUTLER was arrested yesterday. ELLISON was already in custody on federal charges. MCKENZIE is still at large. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged in the superseding indictment, the new defendants in this case, like those previously charged, engaged in brazen acts of gun violence. Thanks to our remarkable partners at HSI, ATF, and the NYPD, these defendants now face federal charges for their serious crimes.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said: “Nine Trey has engaged in a pattern of racketeering reinforced by a reputation of extreme violence, best known for shootings, assaults and robberies in our city. The new arrests in this case and the additional charges as part of this ongoing investigation should send a clear message to members of any gang that carry out acts of violence, that we are resolved in our joint efforts to promote a safe environment for our communities in New York City.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge John B. Devito said: “Today’s charges demonstrate ATF’s and our law enforcement partners’ commitment to identify and investigate individuals that drive violent crime within our communities. The members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as ‘Nine Trey,’ allegedly terrorized the public via a variety of crimes including violent armed robberies, assaults and shootings. The ATF/ NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force will continue to work diligently with all of our partner agencies in order to best serve the community and protect the public. I would like to personally thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their leadership and guidance throughout this investigation.”
NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “In working to reduce crime past already record-lows in New York City, the NYPD is relentless in our pursuit of the relatively small percentage of the population driving the violence and disorder. We are achieving this, with pinpoint accuracy, because of the full and willing partnership of New Yorkers in every neighborhood and the unrivaled assistance of our law-enforcement partners. I commend the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, and the members of Homeland Security Investigations and the ATF, for helping us dismantle groups responsible for shootings, robberies, drug-dealing, and more. Together, we are making the safest large city in America even safer.”
As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
Nine Trey was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in and around Manhattan and Brooklyn. Members and associates of Nine Trey engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of Nine Trey, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business. Members and associates of Nine Trey enriched themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, MDMA, dibutylone, and marijuana.
The Superseding Indictment charges JAMEL JONES, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” ROLAND MARTIN, a/k/a “Ro Murda,” KIFANO JORDAN, a/k/a “Shotti,” ANTHONY ELLISON, a/k/a “Harv,” DENARD BUTLER, a/k/a “Drama,” JESNEL BUTLER, a/k/a “Ish,” FUGUAN LOVICK, a/k/a “Fu Banga,” KINTEA MCKENZIE, a/k/a “Kooda B,” FAHEEM WALTER, a/k/a “Crippy,” and AARON YOUNG, a/k/a “Bat,” with racketeering and firearms offenses.
Count One of the Superseding Indictment charges JONES, MARTIN, JORDAN, ELLISON, DENARD BUTLER, JESNEL BUTLER, WALTER, and YOUNG with participating in a racketeering conspiracy for their criminal involvement in Nine Trey. Count Two charges JONES, MARTIN, JORDAN, ELLISON, DENARD BUTLER, JESNEL BUTLER, WALTER, and YOUNG with using and carrying firearms, which were brandished and discharged, in connection with the racketeering conspiracy. Counts Three through Five charge MARTIN, JORDAN, DENARD BUTLER, JESNEL BUTLER, and WALTER in connection with a gunpoint robbery in the vicinity of West 40th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan on April 3, 2018. Counts Six and Seven charge LOVICK in connection with his shooting at rivals of Nine Trey in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 21, 2018. Counts Eight through Ten charge JORDAN and MCKENZIE in connection with a shooting at a rival of Nine Trey at a hotel in Times Square in Manhattan on June 2, 2018. Counts Eleven and Twelve charge MARTIN, JORDAN, JESNEL BUTLER, and WALTER with agreeing to shoot an individual who had shown disrespect to Nine Trey, resulting in an innocent bystander being shot, in the vicinity of Fulton Street and Utica Avenue in Brooklyn on July 16, 2018. Counts Thirteen through Fifteen charge ELLISON in connection with his kidnapping and assaulting another member of Nine Trey near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn on July 22, 2018. Count Sixteen charges JONES and YOUNG with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, MDMA, and marijuana from 2015 to 2018. Count Seventeen charges YOUNG with using and carrying firearm in connection with the narcotics conspiracy. Count Eighteen charges JONES with possessing with intent to distribute one kilogram and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin on November 15, 2018.
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 HSI, ATF, and the NYPD. He also thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and the New York City Department of Correction’s Intelligence Bureau for their assistance in the 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 constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
| COUNT | CHARGE | DEFENDANTS | MAX. PENALTIES |
| 1 | Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) | JAMEL JONES (age 38) ROLAND MARTIN (age 37) KIFANO JORDAN (age 36) ANTHONY ELLISON (age 31) DENARD BUTLER (age 26) JESNEL BUTLER (age 36) FAHEEM WALTER (age 29) AARON YOUNG (age 28) | 20 years in prison |
| 2 | Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) | JAMEL JONES ROLAND MARTIN KIFANO JORDAN ANTHONY ELLISON DENARD BUTLER JESNEL BUTLER FAHEEM WALTER AARON YOUNG | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison |
| 3 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | ROLAND MARTIN KIFANO JORDAN DENARD BUTLER JESNEL BUTLER FAHEEM WALTER | 20 years in prison |
| 4 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | ROLAND MARTIN KIFANO JORDAN DENARD BUTLER JESNEL BUTLER FAHEEM WALTER | 3 years in prison |
| 5 | Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was brandished 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) | ROLAND MARTIN KIFANO JORDAN DENARD BUTLER JESNEL BUTLER FAHEEM WALTER | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison |
| 6 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 21, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | FUGUAN LOVICK (age 40) | 20 years in prison |
| 7 | Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) | FUGUAN LOVICK | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison |
| 8 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (June 2, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | KIFANO JORDAN KINTEA MCKENZIE (age 21) | 20 years in prison |
| 9 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (June 2, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | KIFANO JORDAN KINTEA MCKENZIE | 3 years in prison |
| 10 | Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) | KIFANO JORDAN KINTEA MCKENZIE | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison |
| 11 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (July 16, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | ROLAND MARTIN KIFANO JORDAN JESNEL BUTLER FAHEEM WALTER | 10 years in prison |
| 12 | Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) | ROLAND MARTIN KIFANO JORDAN JESNEL BUTLER FAHEEM WALTER | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison |
| 13 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (July 22, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | ANTHONY ELLISON | Life in prison |
| 14 | Violent crime in aid of racketeering (July 22, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 | ANTHONY ELLISON | 20 years in prison |
| 15 | Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was brandished 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) | ANTHONY ELLISON | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison |
| 16 | Conspiracy to distribute narcotics 21 U.S.C. § 846 | JAMEL JONES AARON YOUNG | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison |
| 17 | Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a narcotics trafficking offense 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) | AARON YOUNG | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison |
| 18 | Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute 21 U.S.C. § 841 |
JAMEL JONES | Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison |
