THREE MEN SENTENCED FOR ROBBING, FATALLY SHOOTING MAN IN 2018

 

One Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter, Sentenced to 19 Years; Other Defendants Pleaded Guilty to Robbery, Sentenced to 12 and 16 Years

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that three men have been sentenced to prison in the 2018 robbery and fatal shooting of a Bronx man in his apartment.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants texted each other and planned the robbery of the victim. When they got to his apartment, they robbed and fatally shot him. One of the defendants was a childhood friend of the victim, knew his family and even attended the victim’s funeral. One of the defendants pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter and the other two pleaded guilty to first-degree Robbery. They will spend years in prison for their senseless acts.”

 District Attorney Clark said defendants, Dexter Jones, 32, of Queens, N.Y.; Tommie Williams, 30, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Shawn Marquis, 31, of Brooklyn, N.Y., were sentenced by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy. Jones was sentenced to 19 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision for first-degree Manslaughter on February 8, 2022. Williams was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision for first-degree Robbery on February 8, 2022. Marquis was sentenced today to 16 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision for first-degree Robbery.

 According to the investigation, on the night of December 28, 2018, the defendants drove from Brooklyn to the home of Rodney Bennett, 32, on Southern Boulevard. Jones and Marquis, armed with guns, went up to the victim’s apartment as Williams waited outside in the car. When the victim opened the door, Jones shot him in the back. Marquis struggled with the injured victim and one of the defendants stole Bennett’s chain. The three defendants fled the scene and Bennett was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced dead less than hour after the incident. The defendants were arrested in March 2019.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Sergeant Luis Linares of the 42nd Precinct and retired NYPD Detective Matthew McCrosson of the Bronx Homicide Squad.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Statewide COVID-19 Hospitalizations Lowest Since December 20 - Down 272 Since Yesterday, Down Nearly 1,800 Since Last Week

65% Drop in Hospitalizations from January 11 Peak (12,671)

Cases Per 100k (7-Day Average) Declining in All Regions

72 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"While we are seeing cases and hospitalizations continue to decline in New York State, this pandemic is not over and we must remain vigilant to protect our vulnerable loved ones," Governor Hochul said. "Let's continue to use the tools we know protect ourselves and vulnerable loved ones from this virus - the vaccine, booster, masks and tests. We must continue to be adaptable and responsive to the changing circumstances, which is why our new Winter Toolkit focuses on how we safely and responsibly move forward in this pandemic: Protecting the most vulnerable, increasing our vaccine and booster doses, strengthening the healthcare system, empowering local leaders and supporting New Yorkers who are dealing with long term effects of COVID."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 205,667
• Total Positive - 7,442
• Percent Positive - 3.62%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.88%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,398 (-272)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 494
• Patients in ICU - 712 (-43)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 404 (-14)
• Total Discharges - 279,168 (+626)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 72
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 53,931

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 67,750

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 36,341,991
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 47,976
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 301,380
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 82.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 85.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 80.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 70.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 80.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 72.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 88.1%

Nine Members Of “Downtown Mafia” Indicted For Cocaine Trafficking

 

 Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) in New York, and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an indictment today charging QUINCY HILLIARD, a/k/a “Tut,” CURTIS HILLIARD, a/k/a “Curt,” GARY BROWN, a/k/a “Gleme,” TERRENCE TURNER, a/k/a “Storm,” KASIEN ADDERLEY, a/k/a “Kaz,” TIRAN BRANCH, PEDRO RIVERA, a/k/a “Dro,” DERRICK LATIMORE, a/k/a “Derrick Lattimore,” a/k/a “Cone,” and ANTWAN ANDREWS, a/k/a “Antawan Andrews,” a/k/a “Twan,” with participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in New York and New Jersey. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the Indictment, the defendants distributed vast quantities of cocaine in New York and New Jersey.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of our partners at NYPD and HSI, the defendants now face federal charges for their crimes.”

HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel said: “The individuals arrested today were allegedly part of an organization that coordinated a cocaine pipeline to pour directly into the streets of New York City. HSI and the NYPD stand together in the fight to rid our communities of individuals responsible for dangerous narcotics flooding the streets with blatant disregard for the ripple effect that drug addiction has on millions of Americans.  Working with our law enforcement partners, HSI will continue to prevent the flow of harmful drugs coming into our neighborhoods.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Today’s federal indictment highlights how our NYPD investigators stop at nothing in their work to swiftly arrest anyone accused of distributing illegal narcotics in our city and region. I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York, and all of our law enforcement partners, for their outstanding work in this important case.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and in other court papers and proceedings:

From at least in or about 2020 to in or about February 2022, QUINCY HILLIARD, a/k/a “Tut,” CURTIS HILLIARD, a/k/a “Curt,” GARY BROWN, a/k/a “Gleme,” TERRENCE TURNER, a/k/a “Storm,” KASIEN ADDERLEY, a/k/a “Kaz,” TIRAN BRANCH, PEDRO RIVERA, a/k/a “Dro,” DERRICK LATIMORE, a/k/a “Derrick Lattimore,” a/k/a “Cone,” and ANTWAN ANDREWS, a/k/a “Antawan Andrews,” a/k/a “Twan,” operated a large-scale cocaine trafficking organization.  This organization, which its members dubbed the “Downtown Mafia,” distributed wholesale quantities of cocaine in New Jersey and in the New York City area, including Harlem and the Bronx. 

QUINCY HILLIARD, a/k/a “Tut,” 39, CURTIS HILLIARD, a/k/a “Curt,” 44, GARY BROWN, a/k/a “Gleme,” 43, TERRENCE TURNER, a/k/a “Storm,” 43, TIRAN BRANCH, 38, PEDRO RIVERA, a/k/a “Dro,” 38, DERRICK LATIMORE, a/k/a “Derrick Lattimore,” a/k/a “Cone,” 42, and ANTWAN ANDREWS, a/k/a “Antawan Andrews,” a/k/a “Twan,” 36, were arrested today and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman.  KASIEN ADDERLEY, a/k/a “Kaz,” 39, remains at large.  This case is assigned to United States District Judge Colleen McMahon. 

All defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms and more of cocaine and 28 grams and more of cocaine base, which carries a minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of a defendant would be determined by the judge.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York – John F. Kennedy Airport Group, the United States Secret Service’s New York Field Office, the United States Marshals Service, United States Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, the New York City Department of Investigation, and the New York City Housing Authority for their assistance in the investigation. 

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

Official AOC Campaign - NY Times headline: Stock Trading Ban for Lawmakers Gains Momentum on Capitol Hill

 

In response to mounting pressure from Alexandria, our movement, and others in Congress, House Democratic leaders, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, announced support for legislation to address ‘conflicted stock trading’ for Members of Congress.

Alexandria never shies away from fighting for what is right. She along with Reps. Krishnamoorthi and Neguse and Senator Merkley introduced a bill three years ago to ban stock trading because Members of Congress should not have an unfair advantage to profit off the ups and downs in the stock market. Period.

Over the last few years, Alexandria has repeatedly stated that Members of Congress should not have access to privileged information and be able to hold and trade individual stocks at the same time. Her voice in conjunction with all of us is moving the needle forward and we’re so grateful, but there’s still a ways to go.

(Solicitation removed)

Thank you for your support.

Team AOC

Governor Hochul Announces $230 Million in Additional Food Assistance for New Yorkers in February

 

All SNAP Households to Receive the Maximum Level of Food Benefits 

More than $2.5 Billion in Supplemental Benefits Distributed in New York in 2021 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for February. All households participating in SNAP —including those already at the maximum level of benefits —will receive a supplemental allotment later this month, bringing in roughly $230 million in federal funding into the state's economy.  

"The pandemic continues to exacerbate food insecurity throughout New York State, which is reflected by the large number of households that continue to rely on the lifeline that is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” Governor Hochul said. "These vital food benefits are playing an integral role in helping New Yorkers put food on the table, providing much-needed relief as we continue to take aggressive measures in our fight against COVID-19.”

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to households that do not ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP – a federally funded program overseen by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level –$835 for a household of four –will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.  

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these benefits posted between now and the end of the day Thursday, Feb. 17. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see their benefits post between Thursday, Feb. 10 and Friday, Feb. 25.

Starting in April 2020, OTDA began issuing the emergency supplemental benefits to SNAP households receiving less than the maximum monthly benefit amount. When New York State’s emergency declaration expired in June 2021, the agency successfully worked with the federal government to secure the maximum allotment for all SNAP households until the expiration of the federal declaration, which is currently expected to extend into May.   

Last year alone, OTDA distributed roughly $2.5 billion in supplemental benefits. Nearly 1.6 million households totaling more than 2.7 million New Yorkers received the supplements in December.  

SNAP benefits are also playing an integral role in New York’s economic recovery, with every federal dollar invested generating up to $1.54 in economic activity, according to a federal study quantifying the impact of SNAP on the U.S. economy. The study also found that an additional $1 billion invested in new SNAP benefits could support roughly 13,560 jobs nationwide.    

OTDA Acting Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “No New Yorker should be left to worry whether they have the means to feed their household. These supplemental benefits have played a critical role in helping hundreds of thousands of households across our state to make ends meet and avoid food insecurity.”   

As with the prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients' existing Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically carry over to the following month.     

Find more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, here. New Yorkers can check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov.   

MAYOR ADAMS TAKES EXECUTIVE ACTION TO PROMOTE HEALTHY FOOD IN NEW YORK CITY AT THE MERCY CENTER IN THE BRONX

 

Mayor Signs Two Executive Orders to Formalize City’s Commitment to Good Food Purchasing and Promote Healthy Food Advertising on City Property

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed two executive orders signaling his administration’s commitment to procuring, preparing, and serving healthy and nutritious food citywide. The orders — signed at the Mercy Center Bronx, an emergency food pantry — further underscore Mayor Adams’ commitment to food justice and to reducing diet-related health inequities and disease outcomes.

“If we want to encourage New Yorkers to be healthier, the city must set the tone,” said Mayor Adams. “The executive orders we are signing today build on the progress we have made to better align our policies with our public health priorities, and show that New York City continues to lead the nation on food policy that centers equity and justice.”

Executive Order 8, Commitment to Health and Nutrition: Food Standards and Good Food Purchasing repeals Executive Order 122 of 2008, which set forth standards for meals served by city agencies. It will task the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy with revising the City Agency Food Standards, which will be circulated to agency heads on April 1, 2022, and every three years after that.  

The order also formalizes the city’s commitment to the Good Food Purchasing principles through transparency about how mayoral agencies’ procurements impact core values relating to local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition affecting the health of all New Yorkers.

Executive Order 9, Promotion of Healthy Foods in City Publications and Advertising on City Property requires that all promotional materials put out by agencies and advertisements on city property regarding food — to the extent practicable — feature healthy food.

Both orders build on the mayor’s bold food policy agenda, including the recent introduction of vegan options in all public schools and six new plant-based lifestyle medicine clinics in NYC Health + Hospital throughout the city. 

Also announced at the event was the publication of the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) new Food Distribution Program procurement, which will include fresh fruits and vegetables for the first time in the 30-year history of the program. Established in 1983, Emergency Food Assistance Program purchases and distributes food items to more than 600 food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs. As a part of the city’s response to the COVID-19 emergency, DSS also began to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables through a parallel program, known as Pandemic Food Reserve Emergency Distribution. This procurement will streamline these efforts to ensure the safe, consistent, and reliable supply of nutritious, healthy, and culturally appropriate food to emergency food providers across the city, and direct public dollars to vendors that reflect the administration’s values of equity, public health, and minimizing environmental impact.  

“Today’s executive orders are another important step in supporting children and families in their lifelong heath journey,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Aligning the city’s procurement and offering transparency in this area demonstrate that the city is committed to food system reform to put the city on a healthier, more sustainable path.” 

“Access to healthy, nutritious food in a dignified manner is essential for every New Yorker,” said Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “Today’s executive orders are critical steps in creating a healthier, more equitable, and transparent food system. We have dedication and commitment in this administration to making this happen and are proud of this important moment.” 

“Nutrition is one of the keys to a happy and prosperous life, and this administration is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to healthy, quality food,” said DSS Commissioner Gary P. Jenkins. “As the mayor has said, if we want to encourage New Yorkers to eat healthier, the city must lead by example, which is why we are excited to release our new Food Distribution Program RFP that will help us distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to nearly 600 food pantries and community organizations across the five boroughs via our Emergency Food Assistance Program.”

“Mayor Adams has been clear and steadfast in his stated commitment to reshaping our food systems to make them healthier and plant-forward for all New Yorkers, and especially those that bear the disproportionate burden of chronic diseases,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, senior health advisor and incoming commissioner, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “As a primary care doctor, I know that healthy, plant-forward diets are as important as the medications I prescribe for my patients with chronic illnesses. And as an epidemiologist I know that heart disease continues to be the leading killer of New Yorkers, especially people of color, with diabetes not far behind. These executive orders and food assistance programs are crucial steps in the long-term work of making healthy food choices the standard, easy, and affordable choice for New Yorkers, and will save lives.”

“All New Yorkers deserve access to healthy and nutritious food that is good for both our bodies and our planet,” said Kate MacKenzie, executive director, Mayor's Office of Food Policy. “The mayor's announcement today of these two executive orders and the new Emergency Food Assistance Program procurement that includes fresh produce for the first time in the program's history makes it clear that New York is paving a food-forward path that is values-driven. I am grateful to the mayor for his leadership and excited to hit the ground running.” 

“Our multi-sector Good Food Purchasing Program  coalition is comprised of over 40 food system advocates that represent five value areas — animal welfare, environmental sustainability, labor, local economies, and nutrition,” said Ribka Getachew, director, New York Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) Campaign at Community Food Advocates. “We are incredibly excited to have a mayor that is a champion of the Good Food Purchasing as is reflected by Mayors Adams' singing of Executive Order 8. This coalition has been advocating for a formal codification of GFPP since the inception of the Good Food Purchasing Program Campaign in 2016, so this is an especially historic day for food system advocates. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the administration to expand the reach of GFPP in New York City and ensure the long-term and sustainable success of the program. There is strength in our collective power so working with the Adams administration to maximize the city’s massive institutional purchasing power of half of a billion dollars will radically transform our local and regional food economies!”

Above - Mayor Adams speaks about getting more fresh fruits and vegetables into city programs, schools, jails, and any other place the city distributes fresh food to. Mayor Adam holds up a fresh Green Squash.

Below - Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson speaks about the importance of Healthy eating, and being a participant in the Healthy Lifestyles program of Parkchester last year. She mentioned that she will bring the Bronx from #62 meaning first in unhealthy things, and last in good things.

Mayor Adams shows off the two proclamations he just signed at the Mercy Center located at 377 East 145th Street in the Bronx.

Above - Mayor Adams does his impression of Bronx Borough President Gibson by trying to place this box of food in this woman's wagon. 

Below - An actual photo of Bronx Borough President Elect Gibson placing a box of food into a wagon for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Above - Mayor Adams places Celery and other produce into this woman's bag. 

Below - Mayor Adams with staff and volunteers from the Mercy Center.

New York City Comptroller’s Office Releases Pre-Pandemic Audit of Repeated Family Shelter Application Denials

 

The New York City Comptroller’s Office released an audit, conducted prior to the pandemic, that found that the Department of Homeless Services (DHS)’s Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH) intake center personnel denied 42% of 46,200 family applications during the audit period without adequately investigating housing history. DHS has since begun to implement the audit’s recommendations to prevent wrongful application denials.

“Families seeking shelter should not have to face homelessness and be subjected to a revolving door of denials due to the failure of PATH intake personnel to run an online search,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “I applaud DHS for implementing necessary policy updates in order to secure a shelter spot for families, especially as we headed into a pandemic that caused immense housing insecurity and highlighted our need for housing to avoid severe illness.” 

DHS is required to verify two-year housing histories through phone calls, interviews, and online searches that include New York State Welfare Management System, Worker Connect, and LexisNexis in order to determine that no other residences are available to these families. The audit, conducted during the prior administration, closely sampled fifty applicant families. Out of those 50, DHS rejected twenty-one families due to non-cooperation, but auditors found that DHS did not adequately track down the information needed to verify housing history.

Those twenty-one families filed on average fifteen reapplications, and DHS ultimately found fourteen of the families eligible. One family was denied thirty-eight times before finally having their application accepted. According to a recent analysis by THE CITY, sixty-two percent of families accepted into a shelter had applied more than once, 31% more than three times obtaining shelter.

DHS has begun adopting four of the audit’s recommendations, including:

• Properly investigating all applicant families’ housing histories.
• Revising intake staff guidelines and procedures who report a hospital stay as part of the family housing history and to assist in obtaining hospital records.
• Updating guidelines and procedures to ensure staff run web-based database searches.
• Regularly distributing clear and updated policies to all of its employees and conducting new trainings.

Prior to the pandemic, families with children seeking emergency shelter were required to bring their children to the PATH intake center in the Bronx to be evaluated and unable to stay in shelter while re-applying. During the COVID-19 pandemic, family evaluations were allowed to move to online video chat and families were allowed to stay in shelter while re-applying. Family shelter providers and homelessness advocacy organizations released a letter calling on the Mayor and the agencies to make these changes permanent. Comptroller Lander joins the advocates’ call.

“Hauling children repeatedly to the Bronx while their family seeks shelter is destabilizing and overly burdensome to families in desperate need of stability,” continued Comptroller Lander. “Our shelter providers and housing advocates are absolutely right — these pandemic procedures should be made permanent. The City needs to focus on removing barriers to emergency shelter and permanent housing, not adding more unnecessarily.”

“Homelessness is an especially difficult, destabilizing process for families with children,” said David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York. “The city must make the intake process for accessing emergency shelter and permanent housing as straightforward as possible.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

As is stated in this report, it is pre pandemic, and does not account for the year 2020 where only about 66% of families were turned away from placement in a NYC shelter. Also 2021 when 76% of families were turned away from placement in a NYC shelter. 

Defendant Pleads Guilty To April 2020 Murder

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Andres Bello pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to the April 18, 2020 murder of Jorge Miguel Cabrera.  U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel accepted the defendant’s guilty plea.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “In the early morning of April 18, 2020, Andres Bello was involved in a shooting that ultimately killed Miguel Cabrera in connection with a failed drug transaction.  This case is yet another tragic reminder of the violence that often accompanies narcotics trafficking. We continue our daily work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe by vigorously investigating and prosecuting acts of violence and drug trafficking.”

According to the allegations in the Second Superseding Indictment and other documents filed in federal court, as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

On or about April 18, 2020, BELLO and other members of a Bronx-based narcotics trafficking organization, including Humberto Rodriguez, a/k/a “El Bori,” and Jason Tavarez, a/k/a “RATATAA,” attempted to purchase one kilogram of cocaine on East 175th Street in the Bronx.  After obtaining the buyers’ money, the sellers attempted to flee the scene.  At that point, BELLO passed a firearm to Humberto Rodriguez who fired the gun at the sellers’ vehicles, striking Cabrera in the spine.  Cabrera ultimately died from the gunshot wound. 

BELLO, 32, pled guilty to one count of murder through the use of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(j) and 2, which carries a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of five years’ imprisonment. 

On February 9, 2022, co-defendant Jason Tavarez, a/k/a “RATATAA,” 38, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. 

On November 22, 2021, co-defendant Humberto Rodriguez, a/k/a “El Bori,” pled guilty to one count of murder through the use of a firearm. On July 27, 2021, co-defendant, Alex Melendez, pled guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses.  On November 11, 2021, co-defendant, Sharone Lewis pled guilty to a narcotics offense. 

The maximum and minimum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.  

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.  This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.