Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), and Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New York City, announced the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging five additional defendants, including a leader of the Rollin’ 30s Crips, RANDY TORRES, a/k/a “Rico,” with racketeering and narcotics charges as a result of their membership in the violent Crips street gang. TORRES, together with CHARLES VENTURA, a/k/a “Gutta,” DERRICK RICHARDSON, a/k/a “J Rock,” EARL BANKS, a/k/a “EJ,” and former Armed Services Member EMIL MATUTE, a/k/a “Silly,” join other members of the Rollin’ 30s who were previously charged with racketeering, firearms, and narcotics-related offenses, including WALSTON OWEN, a/k/a “Purpose,” RICHARD FELIZ, a/k/a “Dirt,” SHAQUILLE BAILEY, a/k/a “Shaq,” a/k/a “Jefe,” and MIGUEL CABA, a/k/a “Miggs.”
The Superseding Indictment charges FELIZ for the March 26, 2015, murder of Victor Chafla, an innocent bystander. OWEN, FELIZ, BAILEY, CABA, VENTURA, and RICHARDSON are already in federal custody. BANKS and MATUTE were arrested earlier today, and will be presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine H. Parker. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero. TORRES remains at large.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, these defendants are members of a street gang that has engaged in drug trafficking, robbery, murder, and other acts of violence. The indictment unsealed today alleges that Richard Feliz murdered innocent bystander Victor Chafla in a botched attempt to kill a rival gang member. Gang violence is a threat to the safety and security of our neighborhoods, and we will continue to work to end it.”
NYPD Commissioner O’Neill said: “The high level of collaboration employed by the NYPD and our federal partners increasingly results in appropriate, meaningful prison sentences for those convicted of engaging in these types of illegal enterprises and street violence. I commend all of the detectives and investigators involved, and the U.S. Attorney for leveling these additional charges today.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said: “The charges against these men span from racketeering to murder; from firearms to narcotics-related offenses. These members of the violent Crips street gang allegedly did whatever it took to fund their criminal enterprise and protect their interest. But it is in the interest of HSI and its law enforcements partners, like the NYPD, to ‘close up shop’ on these alleged criminal operations by arresting the operators and bringing them to justice.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment[1] and other documents in the public record, and statements made in court:
From at least in or about 2013 up to and including in or about 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, RANDY TORRES, a/k/a “Rico,” WALSTON OWEN, a/k/a “Purpose,” RICHARD FELIZ, a/k/a “Dirt,” SHAQUILLE BAILEY, a/k/a “Shaq,” a/k/a “Jefe,” MIGUEL CABA, a/k/a “Miggs,” CHARLES VENTURA, a/k/a “Gutta,” DERRICK RICHARDSON, a/k/a “J Rock,” EARL BANKS, a/k/a “EJ,” and EMIL MATUTE, a/k/ “Silly,” were members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as the “Rollin’ 30s,” also known as the “Harlem Mafia,” or “Dirt Gang.” In order to fund the enterprise, protect and expand its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Rollin’ 30s committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, and robbery; and they conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics.
During a dispute with a member of an opposing crew, on March 26, 2015, FELIZ fired a gun in an attempt to kill that individual. FELIZ instead hit an innocent father, Victor Chafla, in the head, while Chafla was standing outside the store where he worked stocking fruits and vegetables. Chafla died from his wounds a few days later.
| Count |
Charges |
Defendants |
Maximum Penalties |
| 1 |
Racketeering Conspiracy |
RANDY TORRES, WALSTON OWEN, RICHARD FELIZ, SHAQUILLE BAILEY, MIGUEL CABA, CHARLES VENTURA, DERRICK RICHARDSON, EARL BANKS, and EMIL MATUTE |
Life in prison (all defendants except FELIZ) Life in prison or death (FELIZ) |
| 2 |
Conspiracy To Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering |
RICHARD FELIZ |
Life in prison |
| 3 |
Murder in Aid of Racketeering |
RICHARD FELIZ |
Life in prison or death |
| 4 |
Use of Firearms Resulting in Death |
RICHARD FELIZ |
Life in prison or death |
| 5 |
Narcotics Conspiracy |
RANDY TORRES, WALSTON OWEN, RICHARD FELIZ, and SHAQUILLE BAILEY |
Life in prison Mandatory minimum of ten years in prison |
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by a judge
Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the NYPD and HSI.
The charges contained in the 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 Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
