Sincerely,
P.O. Stephen Brancatelli - Neighborhood Coordination Officer
New York City Police Department
49th Precinct
2121 Eastchester Road Bronx, New York 10461
(917) 826-9562
Stephen.Brancatelli@NYPD.org
City to open a new Tremont monkeypox vaccination clinic in the Bronx for first dose walk-in clients.
More than 16,000 new public appointments to open on Friday, September 9, at 4 p.m. at vax4nyc.nyc.gov/monkeypox and by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692)
New York City is continuing to expand access to monkeypox vaccine by opening a new location, more appointments and expanding second dose appointments. A new Tremont vaccination clinic will open to first dose walk-in clients. The clinic will be able to serve as many as 100 people per day. The Health Department is working with community-based organizations in the Bronx to refer clients to the new site. Additionally, at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 9, more than 16,000 new first and second appointments will go online. Walk-in for first dose vaccination is available at all city-run sites. Second dose appointments are now available to anyone who received their first dose on or before July 23, 2022.
“As previous supply constraints loosen, vaccination can be even more convenient and accessible,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “We look forward to serving more New Yorkers and we want to get the message out that now is the time to get vaccinated if you’re eligible. We have appointments available and are ready to welcome clients.”
The Tremont clinic will be located at 1826 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457.The days and hours of operation are Monday-Saturday from 11am-7pm.
More than 88,000 New Yorkers have been vaccinated against monkeypox and cases have started to decline in New York City. Inequities, however, persist, which New York City is working to address with community partners. The Health Department has made direct referrals available to community-based organizations and has attended events for outreach and in-person assistance booking appointments.
It is crucial to seek care as soon as a rash or sore is identified. New Yorkers should call their health care provider immediately. For those who do not have one, they can call 311 to get connected to an NYC Health + Hospitals location or to access H+H Virtual Express Care. New Yorkers can also visit the NYC Health Map to find a nearby provider. Care is available in New York City regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage, or ability to pay.
For more on monkeypox, go to: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Keechant Sewell, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Ricky J. Patel, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) in New York, today announced charges against ten alleged members of a street gang known as “ABG” in the Bronx, New York. HENRY JONES, a/k/a “Dew Man,” DAIVON MORGAN, a/k/a “Leeky,” ROBERTO ESPINOSA, a/k/a “Taco,” AMIER WILSON, a/k/a “Smula,” DAVION TRUSTY, a/k/a “Saint,” ELIJAH PERKINS, a/k/a “Eli,” JAMIE WILKINS, a/k/a “OJ,” XAVIER ARAU, a/k/a “X,” JUAN REYES, a/k/a “Gunplay,” and CASSIUS MILLER, a/k/a “Cash,” all of whom are members of ABG, were charged in a Superseding Indictment with racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses. JONES, MORGAN, WILSON, TRUSTY, PERKINS, WILKINS, ARAU, and REYES were also charged with engaging in violent crimes in aid of racketeering. JONES and MORGAN are additionally charged with aiding and abetting the February 8, 2019, murder of Darren Scruggs in the Bronx. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.
JONES, PERKINS, WILKINS, ARAU, and MILLER were already in custody in connection with charges contained in a previous indictment related to this prosecution. AMIER WILSON and REYES are in federal custody in connection with charges filed in other prosecutions. TRUSTY and ESPINOSA are in state custody and will be transferred into federal custody. MORGAN was arrested this morning in the Bronx.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the Superseding Indictment, ABG was an extremely violent street gang that brutalized the Bronx by shooting and slashing their victims. Among ABG’s many victims was Darren Scruggs, who we allege was gunned down at the age of 19 by Roberto Espinosa with the assistance of Daivon Morgan and Henry Jones. With this Superseding Indictment, ABG’s members will face justice for these serious alleged acts of violence.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Targeting and dismantling gangs and crews, and preventing the violence so often associated with their illegal activities, continues to be among the highest priorities for the NYPD and our law enforcement colleagues. I thank and commend the NYPD and HSI investigators, along with the prosecutors from the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, for their hard work on this important case. We vow to remain relentless in our efforts to identify and arrest anyone who involves themselves in such behavior.”
Ricky J. Patel, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of HSI, said: “Today’s charges are yet another step towards making our city a safer place for everyone. The individuals charged today are alleged to have committed numerous acts of senseless violence in the name of loyalty to their gang. This superseding indictment demonstrates HSI’s continued commitment to working together with our partners to dismantle the violent gangs that are terrorizing our communities.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment filed today in federal court:[1]
From at least in or about 2017 to in or about the present, ABG was a criminal enterprise centered in the Bronx, New York. ABG primarily operated in the vicinity of the Mitchel Houses in the vicinity of 135th and 138th Streets and Lincoln and Willis Avenues. In addition to their local affiliation, many of ABG’s members also affiliated with the national Crips gang. In order to make money for the gang, protect the gang’s territory, and promote the gang’s standing, members of ABG engaged in, among other things, narcotics trafficking and violence, including murder. To that end, ABG members sold crack cocaine and marijuana, promoted their gang affiliation on social media, possessed firearms, and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership and narcotics trafficking.
For years, ABG engaged in disputes with rival crews in the Bronx, which resulted in numerous acts of violence. Among the many shootings that resulted from those rivalries was the murder of Darren Scruggs on February 18, 2019. On that date, HENRY JONES and DAIVON MORGAN assisted ROBERTO ESPINOSA when he shot and killed Scruggs. In addition, ELIJAH PERKINS shot at rival gang members on October 30, 2018, and committed another shooting on August 21, 2021, with assistance from AMIER WILSON. Separately, WILSON carried out a shooting on March 25, 2022, during which he struck a victim. JAMIE WILKINS also carried out a different shooting on October 28, 2021, and JONES committed a shooting on November 7, 2021, with assistance from JUAN REYES.
ABG’s rivalries also resulted in multiple slashings. For example, on May 8, 2020, REYES, PERKINS, and XAVIER ARAU beat and slashed a victim. Then on February 20, 2021, MORGAN slashed a victim across the face at the direction of TRUSTY.
ABG members also participated in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics in New York. All defendants named in the Superseding Indictment participated in a conspiracy with other individuals to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine from at least in or about 2017 up to and including the present.
Between in or about 2017 and the present, the defendants also possessed, used, brandished, and discharged firearms in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy in which they all participated. JONES, MORGAN, WILSON, PERKINS, WILKINS, and REYES are further charged with engaging in violent crimes in aid of racketeering, and using, brandishing, and discharging firearms in furtherance of these crimes of violence based on the shootings described above.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the NYPD, HSI, and the New York City Department of Corrections.
The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
“It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was committed to a life of service which impacted many. She was a global force who will be remembered for her reign of 70 years. Our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth.”
Mayor Adams today ordered all flags on all city buildings, as well as stationary flagstaffs throughout the five boroughs, to be lowered to half-staff, beginning immediately.
New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement in response to the Council on American Islamic Relations New York’s (CAIR-NY) report on hate crimes and bias incidents against Muslim New Yorkers:
“The findings in CAIR-NY’s survey demonstrate that more needs to be done to protect and support Muslim New Yorkers. It’s clear that years of unjust policies and prejudice have left deep wounds in Muslim communities in New York. No New Yorker should be targeted or discriminated against because of what they believe, what they wear, or the color of their skin. My office will continue our work to take on hate and bias and make sure every New Yorker feels safe here.”
Read CAIR-NY’s report here.
Defendants Now Charged with a Total of Seven Murders Committed in Freeport, Roosevelt, Brentwood, and Central Islip in 2016-2017
Today, in federal court in Central Islip, a 29-count superseding indictment was unsealed charging eight members and associates of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the “MS-13,” with multiple racketeering offenses, including predicate racketeering acts involving murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and related narcotics and firearms offenses. The defendants will be arraigned on a later date before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack.
Two of the defendants, Kevin Torres, also known as “Inquieto” and “Quieto” (Torres), and Oseas Gonzalez, also known as “Manota” and “Cordero” (Gonzalez), have now been charged with the September 5, 2016 murder of Marcus Bohannon, in Central Islip. Racketeering charges and related offenses were also added against Gonzalez and Victor Lopez-Morales, also known as “Persa” (Lopez-Morales), in connection with the October 14, 2016 murder of Carlos Ventura-Zelaya; and against David Sosa-Guevara, also known as “Risky” (Sosa-Guevara), in connection with a May 23, 2020 assault against a rival gang member at the Nassau County Correctional Facility. Finally, the superseding indictment charges an additional defendant, Kevin Cuevas Del Cid, also known as “Creeper,” “Malcriado,” “Sombra,” “Vinky” and “Dabura” (Del Cid), in connection with his participation in the May 21, 2016 murder of Kerin Pineda, and the October 10, 2016 murder of Javier Castillo.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), and Patrick Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the superseding indictment.
“The superseding indictment demonstrates the resolve of this Office and the Long Island Gang Task Force to bring to justice the MS-13 gang members responsible for each and every one of the appalling and senseless murders they have committed in our communities on Long Island and elsewhere,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “It is my hope that these latest charges bring some consolation to the families of the victims.”
“We are making a positive impact in the communities once terrorized by these MS-13 members, but we are seeing signs the gang is attempting to rebuild. Along with our law enforcement partners on our Long Island Gang Task Force, we remain determined to prevent that from happening, but we cannot do it alone. We need the public to remain vigilant and contact us with any information they have to prevent another rash of MS-13 murders,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.
“These MS-13 members are calculated, manipulative and have no regard for human life,” stated SCPD Commissioner Harrison. “I commend the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Long Island Gang Task Force for their relentless pursuit to hold these individuals accountable. The unsealing of this indictment sends a clear message to gang members who think they are enhancing their gang’s reputation by committing heinous crimes—you will be held accountable.”
“These eight new indictments for murder of individuals connected to MS-13 is another clear example of how the Long Island Gang Task Force continues to bring these criminals to justice. The dedicated investigators that comprise the task force from multiple law enforcement agencies are the most experienced and professional in their departments. I would like to thank them for their continued diligence by keeping all of our communities safe,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder.
Bohannon murder
As detailed in the superseding indictment, as well as in court filings, Torres and Gonzalez have been charged in connection with the murder of Bohannon, who was shot and killed shortly after midnight on September 5, 2016. Prior to the murder, on the evening of September 4, 2016, members of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique and Hollywood Locos Salvatruchas (Hollywood) clique of the MS-13 met at a house in Central Islip. Torres, who was the leader of the Sailors clique for all of New York, told the other gang members who were gathered at the house, including Gonzalez, a member of the Hollywood clique, that they would be going out that night hunting for rival gang members to kill. The MS-13 members separated into several cars and drove around Central Islip and Brentwood looking for people they could target as rivals. While Gonzalez and his fellow MS-13 members were driving through Central Islip, they observed Bohannon walking along Lowell Avenue. Suspecting that the victim was a member of the rival Bloods gang, Gonzalez and another MS-13 member, both armed with handguns, got out of the vehicle, approached the victim and started shooting. After shooting the victim numerous times, Gonzalez handed his gun to the other MS-13 member who fired several more shots into the victim after his own gun had jammed. Bohannon died from his wounds.
Ventura-Zelaya murder
The superseding indictment also adds charges against Gonzalez and Lopez-Morales in connection with the October 14, 2016 murder of Carlos Ventura-Zelaya, in Roosevelt. Ventura-Zelaya had been marked for death by the MS-13 because of his suspected membership in the rival 18th Street gang. On the day of the murder, Gonzalez observed the victim at a deli in Roosevelt and alerted other members of the Hollywood clique. Gonzalez then picked up several fellow gang members, including Carlos Alfaro, also known as “Russo” (Alfaro), to assist in the murder. The group next drove to the home of Lopez-Morales, who gave them a handgun. After obtaining the weapon, Gonzalez drove the group back in the direction of the deli to look for and kill the victim. Once they spotted Ventura-Zelaya walking on Hudson Street in Roosevelt, Alfaro, who was armed with the gun, and another MS-13 member got out of the car, approached him and Alfaro fired multiple times, striking and killing the victim.
Pineda and Castillo murders
Del Cid is charged in this superseding indictment with the May 21, 2016 murder of Kerin Pineda, the October 10, 2016 murder of Javier Castillo, and conspiring to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Del Cid, who was 16-years’ old at the time of these murders, was initially charged as a juvenile in a sealed proceeding before being transferred to adult status by order of the Court following a juvenile transfer hearing before the United States Circuit Judge Joseph F. Bianco sitting by designation.
Members of the Sailors and Hollywood cliques murdered Pineda after suspecting him to be a member of the 18th Street gang. On the day of the murder, Del Cid, who was a member of the Sailors clique and seeking promotion in the gang, helped to lure Pineda to a secluded wooded area near the Merrick-Freeport border where he and other MS-13 members were lying in wait armed with machetes. When the victim arrived, Del Cid, and other MS-13 members, including Ever Morales-Lopez, also known as “Kyen,” “Lenky” and “Inke,” Jose Jonathan Guevara-Castro, also known as “Suspechoso,” and Gonzalez surrounded and attacked Pineda, stabbing, slashing and hacking him to death with machetes. While this was taking place, Torres and Sosa-Guevara, the leaders of the Sailors and Hollywood cliques, respectively, were driving around the area in two separate cars looking out for any police presence. Lopez-Morales was in the car with Sosa-Guevara. After Pineda was killed the MS-13 members buried him in a hole that had been dug the day before. Pineda’s remains were recovered more than a year later.
Castillo was also killed based on his suspected membership in the 18th Street gang. Del Cid, Torres and more than a half dozen other members of the Sailors clique participated in the Castillo murder. On the night of October 10, 2016, the MS-13 members lured Castillo to Cow Meadow Park in Freeport. They brought him to an isolated marsh area along the water where he was viciously attacked with machetes. After killing Castillo, the MS-13 members dug a hole and buried the body, which was not recovered until one year later. Many of the participants in the Castillo murder were previously charged in a separate case, two of whom have pleaded guilty.
Additional Charged Crimes
Finally, the superseding indictment charges Sosa-Guevara with assaulting a rival gang member while in prison. On May 23, 2020, Sosa-Guevara and several other MS-13 members got into an altercation with an inmate who was a member of the Bloods street gang. Sosa-Guevara and the other MS-13 members armed themselves with sharpened metal objects and attacked the victim beating and stabbing him repeatedly until corrections officers intervened and stopped the assault. The victim sustained multiple lacerations and stab wounds, and later recovered from his injuries.
In the underlying indictment, Torres was charged with the 2016 murder of 19-year-old Oscar Acosta in Brentwood; Lopez-Morales and Gonzalez were charged with the 2016 murder of 19-year-old Josue Amaya-Leonor in the Roosevelt Preserve; and Lopez-Morales and Sosa-Guevara were charged with the 2017 murder of 15-year-old Angel Soler in Roosevelt.
This superseding indictment is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members and associates of the MS-13, a violent, transnational criminal organization. The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States. With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the most violent criminal organization on Long Island. Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York. A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults. Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members and associates with carrying out more than 60 murders in the district, and has convicted dozens of MS-13 leaders, members and associates in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Hempstead Police Department, Rockville Centre Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
DNA From Under Victim’s Fingernails Matched Defendant
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for second-degree Murder in the 1996 strangling death of a pregnant woman after his DNA was recently matched to DNA found under the victim’s fingernails.
District Attorney Clark said, “Forensic experts were able to match the DNA from the defendant with the victim who was strangled and killed in her home with her 5-year-old son present. Investigators never gave up on getting justice for her, and her alleged killer is now being held accountable.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Gregory Fleetwood, 66, last of 3507 Laconia Avenue, was arraigned on September 6, 2022 on second-degree Murder before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on September 16, 2022.
According to the investigation, on February 5, 1996, inside of 1706 Davidson Avenue in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, the defendant allegedly choked Jasmine Porter, 36, to death in her apartment. Porter’s 5-year-old son was in the home and was alone with her body for two days before it was discovered. DNA was recovered from under the victim’s fingernails. Recently the investigation matched that evidence with Fleetwood’s DNA, using technology that wasn’t available in 1996.
Fleetwood had a previous conviction for strangling another pregnant woman in the Bronx in 1987.
District Attorney Clark thanked Lieutenant Sean O’ Toole and Detective Robert Klein of NYPD Bronx Homicide, and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner Forensic Biology Department, for their work in the investigation.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
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