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 Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging 22 members of a crew operating in and around the Thomas Jefferson Houses in Manhattan with narcotics conspiracy and firearms offenses.
A total of 14 defendants were taken into custody; two other defendants were already in federal custody. Sixteen of the 22 defendants will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman later today. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “In this Office’s continuing effort to improve the quality of life for the law-abiding and rent-paying residents of NYCHA housing, today’s indictment charges 22 members with allegedly operating a serious drug distribution network to deal crack cocaine in and around the Jefferson Houses in East Harlem. These drugs destroy lives and cripple communities. In addition, members of the crew allegedly possessed firearms to further their drug operation, bringing the danger of gun violence to the streets of New York. Thanks to the outstanding work of the FBI and NYPD, the defendants will now face justice in federal court.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “As alleged, these drug dealers hold communities hostage by creating an atmosphere of fear, and the wares they’re pushing are now having a deadly impact beyond our city. The FBI Metro Safe Streets Task Force, which made today’s arrests, is committed to deterring street violence and will continue to pursue those that endanger New York City communities.”
As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and in other court papers[1]:
From 2014 up to June 2018, JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Cheerio,” a/k/a “Bheerio,” CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE, a/k/a “Hood,” a/k/a ”H.O.,” a/k/a “Peanut,” LUIS AVILES, a/k/a “Toby,” GERALDO BUSANET, a/k/a “Bunazie,” SAMMUEL CABAN, a/k/a “Sammy,” JASON DAVENPORT, a/k/a “Jay,” JAMER DAVIS, a/k/a “J-Rock,” JERRELL FULCHER, a/k/a “Relly,” a/k/a “Butta,” RICO GONZALEZ, CLARENCE GRANDY, a/k/a “Butta,” TITO LLANES, a/k/a “Reek,” BENJAMIN LUCRE, a/k/a “Gotti,” DERRICK RICHARDSON, a/k/a “Fazo,” PARIS ROBERTS, a/k/a “Rambo,” ROCKY SANCHEZ, EDWIN SANTANA, a/k/a “E.B.,” a/k/a “Fat,” a/k/a “Defat,” LARRY SMITH, a/k/a “Scrap,” SHAHIEME SMITH, a/k/a “Mills,” a/k/a “Ira,” ISAAC SOLER, a/k/a “Doughboy,” DYLAN WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Rock,” a/k/a “Rockyo,” JAMES WILSON, a/k/a “Gotti,” and ROBERT WRIGHT, a/k/a “Rob Santana,” participated in a conspiracy to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine and in around the Jefferson Houses, a public housing project in East Harlem, New York.
From 2014 up to June 2018, certain members of this Crew, namely JOSE HERNANDEZ, CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE, BENJAMIN LUCRE, EDWIN SANTANA, LARRY SMITH, ISAAC SOLER, and DYLAN WILIAMS used, carried, and possessed firearms in furtherance of the crack cocaine conspiracy of which they were members.
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 FBI and NYPD, and commended the NYPD's Manhattan North Narcotics, Major Case.
The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COUNT
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CHARGE
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DEFENDANTS
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MAX. PENALTIES
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1
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Narcotics conspiracy
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(1)(A) and 846
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JOSE HERNANDEZ, 31
CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE, 34
LUIS AVILES, 31
GERALDO BUSANET, 31
SAMMUEL CABAN, 28
JASON DAVENPORT, 30
JAMER DAVIS, 23
JERRELL FULCHER, 21
RICO GONZALEZ, 21
CLARENCE GRANDY, 20
TITO LLANES, 22
BENJAMIN LUCRE, 18
DERRICK RICHARDSON, 21
PARIS ROBERTS, 19
ROCKY SANCHEZ, 23
EDWIN SANTANA, 29
LARRY SMITH, 28
ISAAC SOLER, 27
DYLAN WILLIAMS, 20
JAMES WILSON, 29
ROBERT WRIGHT, 23
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Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison
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2
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Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c ) and 2
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JOSE HERNANDEZ
CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE
BENJAMIN LUCRE
EDWIN SANTANA
LARRY SMITH
ISAAC SOLER
DYLAN WILLIAMS
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Life in prison
Mandatory minimum of five years in prison
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[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.
