Wave Hill Events June 21‒June 28 Summer Evenings!

Thu, June 21   Midsummer Night’s Solstice Meditation

Celebrate the summer equinox in the gardens with Sara Hart of iHart Lens. Explore the enchanted gardens on a guided meditative walk and finish with a series of restful poses. Bring a yoga mat. $25. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Serene Thursday event.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6–8PM

Thu, June 21    Evening Garden Walk

Enjoy a short evening stroll in the gardens with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free with admission to the grounds. Serene Thursday event.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6:30PM

Sat, June 23    Family Art Project: Butterfly Habitat Hats

See them and sketch them flying among the meadow grasses or on the butterfly bush in Wave Hill’s Flower Garden. Learn about the life cycle of local butterfly species and the conditions they need in order  to survive. Then make a richly textured butterfly-habitat hat filled with flowers and insects in an active landscape. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, June 23    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, June 23    Gallery Tour

Learn about Glyndor Gallery exhibitions on a tour led by Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow. Avifauna: Birds + Habitat features artworks that delve into the relationship between birds and their habitats—from the role birds play in propagating plants to changes in how natural and built environments affect migration patterns. Artists working in photography, video, artist books, wall painting, installation, drawing and sound include Tatiana Arocha, Tanya Chaly, Marna Chester, Nina Katchadourian,Paula McCartney, Jeff Mertz, Peter Morgan, Sarah Nicholls, James Prosek, Jenna Spevack and Fred Tomaselli. In the Sunroom Project Space, Austin Ballard’s installation Rumors is on view. Fabricating furniture using cane webbing and epoxy clay, Austin Ballard constructs an immersive domestic setting. Intended as functional sculpture, the forms are reminiscent of Victorian furniture and recall Wave Hill’s history as a private home. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sun, June 24    Family Art Project: Butterfly Habitat Hats

See them and sketch them flying among the meadow grasses or on the butterfly bush in Wave Hill’s Flower Garden. Learn about the life cycle of local butterfly species and the conditions they need in order to survive. Then make a richly textured butterfly-habitat hat filled with flowers and insects in an active landscape. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, June 24    Yoga in the Garden

Enjoy a morning yoga class in the gardens, offered in partnership with Yoga Haven. All levels welcome; please bring a mat and be on time. Meets indoors in case of rain. Online registration suggested, or register day-of at the Front Gate. Yoga sessions continue through July 29. $25 per session. Wave Hill Members save 10%.

ON THE GROUNDS, 10–11AM

Sun, June 24    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, June 25

Closed to the public.

Tue, June 26    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Wed, June 27    Sunset Wednesdays: Live Music on the Great Lawn‒The Hot Sardines

Lead by French chanteuse Elizabeth Bougerol and pianist Evan Palazzo, the Hot Sardines believe that classic jazz feeds the heart and soul and connects generations through their mission to make old sounds new again. “Simply phenomenal,” saysThe Times (London). “One of the best jazz bands in NY today, writes Forbes. Rain or shine, all Sunset Wednesday Concerts are held on the Great Lawn. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved indoors to Armor Hall with overflow space in the Mark Twain Room and the covered terrace behind Wave Hill House. Check wavehill.org for shuttle service and for The Café menu on Sunset Wednesdays. The onsite parking lot closes at 4PM, except to accommodate vehicles with a disability license plate or placard. Free with admission to the grounds, which is $12 starting at 4PM. Free to Wave Hill Members. The grounds close at 8:30PM. 

ON THE GROUNDS, 7PM

Thu, June 28    Art Workshop: An Evening of Inks

Explore the colorful and unpredictable medium of alcohol inks and create abstract, organic, floral forms. Leave precision at the door and join artist Barbara Nahmias as you free your mind and simply go with the flow of the inks. $40. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Supplies included. Serene Thursday event. 

WAVE HIL HOUSE, 6–8PM

Thu, June 28    Evening Garden Walk

Enjoy a short evening stroll in the gardens with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Free with admission to the grounds. Serene Thursday event.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 6:30PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM,  March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Council Member Andy King Introduces Legislation to Institute Panic Buttons for Drivers of Taxicabs

  New York City Council Stated Meeting, Council Member Andy King introduced legislation (Int. No. 967) to institute panic buttons for drivers of taxicabs, street hail liveries and for-hire vehicles, which would ensure the safety of livery drivers when confronted with an emergency.

Tragically, in recent months, New York City livery drivers have been brutally assaulted on the job by criminals.  The panic button will be a help or distress signaling system connecting a driver in distress with the police department. Each taxicab, HAIL vehicle and for-hire vehicle would have a panic button within reach of the driver’s seat.

“This piece of legislation is about saving lives,” Council Member King said at a press conference held yesterday at the Co-op City base of Best Deal Car Service, where he pre-announced the bill.

Joining Council Member King at the press conference were Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr. and dozens of livery drivers in support of the panic button.

“As the chairman of the For-Hire Vehicles Committee, I support this bill. I don’t want to go back to the hospital. I went there to see this guy (Jeffrey C. Camacho) when he was shot,” said Council Member Diaz. “I ensure you that as chairman of the committee, this bill will see the light of day.”

Camacho, a father of three, was a driver for Excellent Care Service when he was shot eight times by an armed passenger who robbed  him. Seated in a chair because of his injuries, Camacho spoke in Spanish at the press conference through Jose Altimarno, president of El Barrio Livery Service, letting everyone know that he is “happy to be alive. And, he sees the legislation Council Member King is introducing as a benefit. He wants all his fellow cab drivers to be safe.”

Albert Williams, owner of Best Deal Car Service, said “It’s critical that we have the tools in place to protect our drivers. I commend the New York City Council, the TLC and NYPD on this because the last thing I want to do as a base owner is attend a funeral of a driver.”

Also on hand was Omer Haberman of LimoSys Software, the technology expert developing the software.

Council Member King said the panic button should not be a cost burden to drivers. “We want to do this with existing technology. More important, the ultimate goal is to make sure drivers don’t incur any additional costs according to this legislation,” said Council Member King.

King noted that he backs Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez’s legislation calling on the State of New York to make it a felony to assault a New York City taxi driver.

In addition to Intro. 967, Council Member King introduced two addition pieces of legislation today in the City Council. They were:

·        Intro 966, which would require the department of citywide administrative resources to designate one or more employees to provide information on available housing resources to municipal employees who are seeking housing within the city and to publish housing-related information and resources on their website.

·        The proposed bill would prohibit advertisements for hookah tobacco or related paraphernalia on the exterior and publicly visible areas of retail establishments selling such products, within a certain distance of school buildings, child daycare centers, and youth centers.

News From Congressman Joseph Crowley

Congressman Crowley, Engel, Members of the New York City Congressional Delegation Meet with Deputy Postmaster General

  Congressman Joe Crowley, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, and Members of the New York City Congressional Delegation, led by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, met with United States Postal Service (USPS) Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman yesterday to discuss the ongoing postal issues facing residents throughout New York City.

During the meeting, the Members expressed their concerns about delivery, efficiency, and service, including the suspension of mail service as well as misdelivered, and in some cases, stolen mail throughout NYC.

“I deeply appreciate this opportunity to meet with Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman to bring greater attention to inadequate mail delivery service in Queens and the Bronx,” said Congressman Crowley. “For months, I’ve been hearing from constituents about delayed mail deliveries, mislabeled packages, and poor customer service. My constituents rely on the United States Postal Service as an effective and dependable means of communication, and I hope the Deputy Postmaster General will take the steps necessary to improve the quality of service in New York City.”

“I appreciate this opportunity to meet with Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “I walked away with an even greater understanding of the systemic issues plaguing the USPS. I expressed my concerns about delivery, efficiency, and service, including the suspension of mail service for nearly a week last month, which affected many seniors and people with disabilities. I also specifically raised concerns about unique issues faced by residents of affordable housing buildings. Our constituents expect their government to meet their needs and it is our duty as their representatives to hold any and all splintered government agencies accountable.”

“From missing green cards to stolen social security checks, New Yorkers are facing serious and systemic problems with their mail service,” said Congressman Eliot Engel . “I appreciate that the Deputy Postmaster took the time to meet with us in Washington and listen to the concerns of our constituents. In the meeting, we were told that Postal officials are committed to better communication with us, but we’ve heard promises from the U.S. Postal Service before. We will continue to press for real, tangible solutions to the problems our constituents face with their mail.”

“I am hopeful following our meeting with USPS Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman and Members from the New York congressional delegation, and appreciate his taking the time to hear our concerns and discuss one of the most critical issues impacting our constituents on a daily basis,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “I often hear about the lack of services in multiple languages, two-hour waits, and inefficiency that residents experience when engaging with the USPS locations throughout my district. My hope is that following our discussion, USPS now has a better understanding of the urgency of this issue and the frustration that constituents face. We will engage with USPS on a weekly basis to ensure issues are resolved and look forward to the replacement of mailboxes to curb stolen mail, better communication with USPS, and improved services for constituents whose lives often depend on these services.”

“I thank Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman for briefing us about efforts to improve postal service operations in New York City and I thank Rep. Clarke for organizing this meeting,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng “Earlier this year, I met with postal officials to demand a plan to improve ongoing and serious mail delivery problems in Queens. I also urged the Postal Service to address poor customer service, and to replace postal collection boxes with new anti-theft boxes in order to combat mail fishing. I’m pleased that the agency is working to tackle these problems and I will continue to make sure that officials follow through on resolving these issues. The Postal Service must rebuild trust with borough residents.”

“Residents in my community and across New York have endured systemic issues with the USPS,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks. “The NY delegation's meeting with DPMG Stroman allowed us to further relay the frustrations endured daily by New Yorkers. In increasing communication between our offices with the USPS, we will hopefully yield constructive solutions to these ongoing issues.”

“Residents of New York and many of our local small businesses have for too long suffered from postal delivery that is slow and characterized by poor customer service,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez. “I’ll continue working with my colleagues to see these issues remedied and postal service improved in these communities.”

Members of the Delegation had sent a letter to Postmaster General Brennan in February calling on her to provide a detailed course of action to mitigate the multitude of ongoing postal issues facing several communities across New York City.

News From Congressman Eliot L. Engel

Engel, House Dems Fight Back Against DHS Separating Families at the Border

  Congressman Eliot Engel today joined Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and 106 of his Democratic colleagues in urging the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to restrict the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to separate families at the border.

The letter urges appropriators to make it clear that no funds for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may be used to support family separation as a means of deterring future migration. The letter also urges appropriators to restore funding for the Family Case Management Program that provided asylum-seeking parents and their children with legal counsel and connected them to community resources. The letter can be found here.

“These families come to the U.S. seeking refuge, often from violence and environmental disaster in their home countries,” Engel said. “Tearing families apart is cruel, unnecessary, and contradicts the most basic American values. If the Administration won’t do the right thing, then Congress must act to force their hand. Our country is better than this.”

Engel Votes NO on Latest Trump Cuts

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel voted against H.R. 3, a bill to cancel federal spending already approved by Congress.

The bill contains approximately $15 billion in cuts, proposed by the Trump Administration, targeting the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), flood prevention measures, clean energy investments, intercity passenger rail improvements, and other federal supports.

“The same Republican Congress that exploded the deficit with their tax scam just months ago is now willing to sacrifice critical supports for working families, continuing to stack the deck for the wealthy and well-connected against American families who play by the rules,” Engel said. “Children will be among the victims of this political gambit, as H.R. 3 cuts the CHIP contingency fund by almost 80 percent. This fund exists to ensure states can care for children if an unexpected event, like a natural disaster, causes a spike in CHIP enrollment. It also makes damaging cuts to programs that improve our infrastructure, protect our communities, and prepare our economy for the future.

“These cuts are short-sighted and cruel, and their intent is utterly transparent. If Republicans are so concerned about the state of federal spending, perhaps they shouldn’t have blown a trillion-dollar hole in the deficit with the GOP tax scam. I voted No on that irresponsible bill, and I voted No on this one.”

ENGEL STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S G7 RUSSIA COMMENTS

“The United States helped establish and lead the G7 in pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous world. While the other G7 democracies continue to uphold those values, President Trump has isolated the United States, weakened American influence, and alienated our closest allies. So it’s hardly a surprise he’s now looking to the leader he seems to admire most: Vladimir Putin. One of the priorities for the G7 is addressing foreign interference in elections. While Russia may have ‘unique expertise’ in this area, Moscow’s aims don’t align with those of the G7 democracies.

“The G8 became the G7 precisely because of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the war Russia is waging in eastern Ukraine. Since then, Putin has pressed ahead with his destructive efforts to undermine western unity. With Donald Trump’s reckless trade policy and affinity for Moscow, the American President sadly appears to be Mr. Putin’s willing partner.”

Comptroller Stringer Debars Bronx Contractor for Stealing Over $120,000 in Prevailing Wages from Immigrant Workers

Repeat prevailing wage offender falsified payroll records for iron work at the Jamaica Water Pollution Control Plant in Queens for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection

  New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer announced Globe Gates, Inc., a Bronx-based contractor which does business as Global Overhead Doors, its owner and president Agostinho Tome, and his related corporate entity Global Iron Works, Inc. have been debarred from public works in the State of New York for their willful failure to pay prevailing wages to their workers and for the falsification of payroll records. The $143,000 settlement with Globe Gates provides for payment of roughly $120,000 in unpaid prevailing wages, plus interest, to the two Latino, immigrant workers who notified the Comptroller’s Office of the abuse of their rights in 2015.

“Now more than ever, we have to protect the most vulnerable members of our community from being cheated out of their hard-earned wages. Unfortunately, when the federal government creates a climate of fear for immigrants, workers become less likely to complain about workplace abuse and unscrupulous employers exploit that fear to cheat workers out of their wages. My office is committed to protecting workers who are the victims of wage theft, and to cracking down on contractors who prey on immigrant workers,” Comptroller Stringer said.

Globe Gates employed the two workers to perform ornamental iron work at the Jamaica Water Pollution Control Plant over the course of two years, from September 2013 to August 2015. The general contractor, WDF, Inc., hired Globe Gates as a subcontractor to work on the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) project to upgrade the water pollution control plant. Globe Gates’s payroll records showed payments of the prevailing wage rate for significantly fewer hours than were actually worked. No additional wages were paid for the unreported hours. Globe Gates was able to keep the workers in the dark by providing them with pay stubs that omitted the number of hours worked and the wage rate paid. The Comptroller’s investigation was aided by the detailed records maintained by DEP for work at the plant.

While these two workers were employed at the Jamaica Water Pollution Control Plant and being underpaid by Globe Gates, the company was already under investigation by the Comptroller’s Office for prevailing wage violations on a different project. The Comptroller resolved the prior investigation in January 2015 by stipulation of settlement and found that Globe Gates underpaid more than $75,000 in prevailing wages to two other Latino, immigrant workers.

“Monitoring and enforcing prevailing wage law in New York City is a responsibility that I take very seriously,” Comptroller Stringer said. “Globe Gates was already under investigation by my office and nonetheless continued to cheat their workers and falsify payroll records. My office has zero tolerance for contractors who steal wages from their workers and then cook their books to cover it up.”

Under state law, the Comptroller’s Office sets and enforces prevailing wage and benefit rates on New York City public works projects, such as renovating public schools and parks, and on New York City building service contracts for work including security and custodial services. When companies on these public contracts do not pay the proper wages and benefits, the Comptroller enforces the law to ensure workers receive the money they are owed.

Since 2014, Comptroller Stringer’s office has assessed more than $26 million in prevailing wage violations and paid over $11 million to employees who were cheated out of their wages. The Comptroller has also debarred over 50 contractors who falsified payroll records to cover up their wage theft.

Prevailing wages are required to be paid for work performed on public construction and building service contracts. If workers believe they have been cheated out of prevailing wages, they should call our confidential Labor Law Hotline at 212-669-4443 or email laborlaw@comptroller.nyc.gov.

To read more about how the Comptroller’s Office sets and enforces prevailing wage and benefit rates on New York City public works projects, please click here.

18 Members Of Bronx Drug Trafficking Organization Charged With Distributing Potent Heroin And Fentanyl

The Organization’s Heroin and Fentanyl Has Been Linked to At Least Five Suspected Overdose Deaths

  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 Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that MAURICE HARTLEY, a/k/a “Bugz,” REGINALD SANDERS, a/k/a “Black,” HECTOR SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Jabee,” AARON CARTER, a/k/a “Cream,” RONALD BEASLEY, a/k/a “Nuke,” JONATHAN SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Nash,” TYVANN BARNETT, a/k/a “Ty,” JAVIER BENITEZ, a/k/a “Javi,” ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Lex,” GREGORY CARTER, a/k/a “Fat Boy,” RAY SANCHEZ, FREDDIE TORRES, a/k/a “Kiko,” EDWARD DAVIES, a/k/a “Yum Yum,” LOUIS BROWN, a/k/a “Tut,” CHRISTOPHER SIMON, JOHNNY INGRAM, MARIE PALUMBO, and TIA JASPER have been charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.  Seventeen defendants were arrested yesterday evening and this morning and were presented before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.  BENITEZ was in custody on state charges and has been transferred to federal custody.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants operated a network for the distribution of highly addictive and dangerous drugs.  Even after they realized the potency of the drugs they were distributing and selling – and the overdose risk those drugs posed – the defendants allegedly continued to sell their poison and to fuel the opioid epidemic plaguing our nation.  Today’s arrests are part of our continued commitment, along with our law enforcement partners, to stop the flow of heroin and fentanyl onto the streets of New York City.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The drugs these suspects were allegedly selling are killing people.  The harsh reality is the sellers and pushers are purposefully lacing heroin with a deadly mix of fentanyl to create a more powerful, and deadly high.  The FBI Metro Safe Streets Task Force and our law enforcement partners are out day after day doing all we can to stop these criminals from causing more death in our communities.  We won’t stop until we round up every last one of them.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Law enforcement can help end the scourge of overdose deaths related to illegal narcotics in New York City by relentlessly pursuing the individuals and groups responsible for distributing them on our streets.  Today’s charges show how effective the NYPD-federal partnership is in sharing the responsibility for public safety.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint and Indictment,[1] and statements made in Court:

The defendants were members of a drug trafficking organization (the “DTO”) that operated in the Bronx, New York, and controlled heroin sales between 182nd Street and 184th Street, primarily between Jerome Avenue and University Avenue (“the “DTO’s Drug Territory”).  As a means of marketing its heroin, and to ensure that the only heroin sold in the DTO’s Drug Territory belonged to the DTO, the DTO placed “stamps” on the glassines of heroin and fentanyl that it sold to customers.  Among the stamps the DTO used were “Heisenberg,” “Sleepless,” “Peace of Mind,” “Obsession,” “Fist with a Power Cord,” “Sold Out,” “Methadone,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Hands Up.”  From 2015 to June 2018, the DTO is estimated to have distributed more than 100 kilograms of heroin, much of it mixed with fentanyl.

Glassines marked with the DTO’s stamps were recovered at the scene of at least five suspected overdose deaths in and around the DTO’s Drug Territory.  First, on September 11, 2017, an individual died of a suspected heroin overdose near the DTO’s Drug Territory, and a glassine marked with the stamp “Obsession” was recovered at the scene of the overdose death.  Second, on September 18, 2017, an individual died of a suspected heroin overdose near the DTO’s Drug Territory, and a glassine marked with the stamp “Fist with a Power Cord” was recovered at the scene of the overdose death.  Finally, between December 12, 2017, and on January 2, 2018, three different individuals died of suspected heroin overdoses in a building within the DTO’s Drug Territory.  Glassines marked with the stamp “Hands Up” were recovered at the scene of each of these three deaths.  Each time one of the DTO’s stamps was recovered at the scene of an overdose death, the DTO stopped using that stamp, and started using different stamps on the glassines of heroin and fentanyl that it distributed.

On June 5, 2018, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at several locations in the Bronx, New York, that were used by the DTO, and recovered, among other things, approximately three kilograms of heroin, approximately $300,000 in cash, and a loaded firearm.

HARTLEY, 35, SANDERS, 37, HECTOR SANCHEZ, 29, AARON CARTER, 40, BEASLEY, 36, JONATHAN SANCHEZ, 30, BARNETT, 21, BENITEZ, 29, RODRIGUEZ, 47, GREGORY CARTER, 35, RAY SANCHEZ, 30, TORRES, 36, DAVIES, 58, BROWN, 62, SIMON, 59, INGRAM, 55, and JASPER, 36, each of the Bronx, New York, and PALUMBO, 36, of Elizaville, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison 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 the defendants will be determined by the judge.  

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and NYPD, and thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.

The charges contained in the Complaint and 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 Complaint and Indictment, and the description of the Complaint and Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

“BMB” Gang Member Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court Of Murder, Racketeering, Narcotics, And Firearms Charges

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DONQUE TYRELL, a/k/a “Polo Rell,” was found guilty yesterday of murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, narcotics trafficking conspiracy, distributing narcotics near schools and playgrounds, and firearms offenses in connection with his membership in the “Big Money Bosses” (“BMB”), a violent street gang that operated primarily on White Plains Road from 215th Street to 233rd Street in the Bronx.  TYRELL was convicted of aiding and abetting the murder of 17-year-old Keshon Potterfield on June 22, 2014, at a backyard party in the vicinity of East 232nd Street in the Bronx.  A unanimous jury convicted TYRELL on all counts of the controlling indictment following a six-day trial before United States District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As proven at trial, Donque Tyrell participated in the murder of a 17-year-old who dared go to a backyard party in a part of the Bronx that Tyrell’s gang, the Big Money Bosses, claimed as its own.  Tyrell then celebrated that murder on Facebook and in YouTube rap videos.  Gang violence threatens the safety and security of all New Yorkers, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prevent this type of violence from happening in our neighborhoods.”

According to court documents and the evidence at trial:

BMB is a subset of the “Young Bosses,” or “YBz” street gang, which operates throughout New York City.  Between 2007 and 2016, members and associates of BMB committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members in the Bronx – including murders, attempted murders, and armed robberies – and sold crack cocaine and marijuana.   

TYRELL was a member of BMB.  On June 22, 2014, TYRELL and other members of BMB showed up at a birthday party in the backyard of a residence in the vicinity of East 232nd Street in the Bronx, in an area that BMB considered to be part of its territory.  Potterfield was one of the guests at the party, and was perceived to be associated with a rival gang.  After arriving at the party, TYRELL obtained a gun from an associate and passed it to another BMB member who then shot and killed Potterfield.  Potterfield was 17.  TYRELL celebrated Potterfield’s murder in public Facebook postings and in rap music videos posted on YouTube in which he taunted rival gang members and threatened future violence.  

TYRELL was arrested in this case as a result of a multi-year investigation by the New York City Police Department’s Bronx Gang Squad (the “Bronx Gang Squad”), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Unit (“HSI”), the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and the Joint Firearms Task Force of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) into gang violence in the Northern Bronx.  On April 27, 2016, 63 members and associates of BMB were charged with racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, narcotics distribution, and firearms charges.  TYRELL was the last defendant outstanding in the case. 

In addition to the murder in aid of racketeering conviction, TYRELL, 22, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of conspiring to commit racketeering as a result of his membership in BMB, conspiring to sell narcotics, selling narcotics within 1000 feet of schools and playgrounds, using firearms in connection with the gang and drug offenses, an attempted assault with a firearm in connection with his BMB membership, and attempting to rob a livery cab driver in the Bronx by hitting him in the head with a firearm.  TYRELL is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.  TYRELL is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14, 2018, before Judge Rakoff. 

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding work of the NYPD’s Bronx Homicide Task Force, the NYPD’s 47th Precinct Detective Squad, the NYPD’s Bronx Gang Squad, HSI, DEA, and ATF.  

15 Members Of Brooklyn Drug Trafficking Crew Charged In Manhattan Federal Court

   Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”) and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging members of a Brooklyn drug trafficking organization known as the “Boss Crew” with narcotics and firearms offenses.  Fifteen members of the organization, including TYSHAWN BURGESS, a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Ty Black,” LLOYD GORDON, a/k/a “LG,” LARRY BAYER, a/k/a “L,” KERRY FELIX, a/k/a “Mack,” DEVONTAE NEWTON, a/k/a “D-Block,” a/k/a “Sneeze,” TYRELL SUMPTER, a/k/a “Rell,” a/k/a “Ruger,” MAURICE CURTIS, a/k/a “Mo,” TYQUAN ROBINSON, a/k/a “Blacko,” TYREEK OGARRO, a/k/a “Reek,” DARREN MILLER, a/k/a “Dice,” a/k/a “Darren Thomas,” ERNEST MURPHY, a/k/a “Problem G,” a/k/a “E,” RAMAL CURTIS, a/k/a “Rah,” KELLY ROYSTER, a/k/a “KK,” ROBERT RHODES, a/k/a “Charlie,” and KAEMAR WILSON, a/k/a “K,” are charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and heroin from 2015 to May 2018.  In addition, BURGESS, FELIX, NEWTON, SUMPTER, CURTIS, ROBINSON, and WILSON are also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy.  Fourteen defendants were arrested this morning and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.  WILSON is in custody on state charges and will be transferred to federal custody.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Richard J. Sullivan.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants were members of a street gang that terrorized a Brooklyn neighborhood with their drug dealing and violence.  Law enforcement has no more important duty than keeping our citizens safe.  These arrests demonstrate our continued commitment to protecting communities that are victimized by gang and gun violence.

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan M. Benedict said: “Burgess and his co-conspirators as alleged in the Indictment ran an organized ring of narcotics dealers associated with acts of violence on the streets of Brooklyn.  ATF remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the public from violent individuals, groups and gangs looking to do harm to fellow citizens.  I would like to thank the Special Agents and Task Force Officers of the NYPD/ATF Joint Firearms Task Force, the NYPD Gun Violence Suppression Division, and HSI.  I would also like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting the case.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “In collaboration with our federal partners, we will remain steadfast in our fight against those who traffic in illegal narcotics and the violence so often associated with it.  Today’s charges emphasize the highly efficient working relationship NYPD detectives enjoy with ATF investigators and attorneys at the Southern District.”

As alleged in the Indictment[1] unsealed in Manhattan federal court today:

The defendants were members of a drug trafficking organization (the “Boss Crew DTO”) that distributed significant quantities of narcotics, including crack cocaine and heroin, on a daily basis, in and around the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.  TYSHAWN BURGESS, a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Ty Black,” was the leader of the Boss Crew DTO.  BURGESS supervised other members of the Boss Crew DTO, coordinated the supply of narcotics to other drug dealers within the Boss Crew DTO, and referred drug customers to members of the Boss Crew DTO for sales.  LLOYD GORDON, a/k/a “LG,” and DARREN MILLER, a/k/a “Dice,” a/k/a “Darren Thomas,” supplied wholesale quantities of crack cocaine to members and associates of the Boss Crew DTO for street-level distribution.  LARRY BAYER, a/k/a “L,” and ERNEST MURPHY, a/k/a “Problem G,” a/k/a “E,” maintained narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia at the Boss Crew DTO’s stash location, and packaged the narcotics for street-level distribution.  TYREEK OGARRO, a/k/a “Reek,” RAMAL CURTIS, a/k/a “Rah,” KELLY ROYSTER, a/k/a “KK,” and ROBERT RHODES, a/k/a “Charlie,” purchased and facilitated the purchase of wholesale quantities of narcotics from members of the Boss Crew DTO for distribution.  TYRELL SUMPTER, a/k/a “Rell,” a/k/a “Ruger,” TYQUAN ROBINSON, a/k/a “Blacko,” LARRY BAYER, a/k/a “L,” KERRY FELIX, a/k/a “Mack,” DEVONTAE NEWTON, a/k/a “D-Block,” a/k/a “Sneeze,” and MAURICE CURTIS, a/k/a “Mo,” functioned as street level distributors for the Boss Crew DTO.  

In addition, BURGESS, FELIX, NEWTON, SUMPTER, CURTIS, ROBINSON, and WILSON, possessed and used firearms to protect the Boss Crew DTO’s narcotics trafficking operation.

BURGESS, 24, GORDON, 47, BAYER, 25, FELIX, 23, NEWTON, 19, SUMPTER, 23,  CURTIS, 24, ROBINSON, 27, OGARRO, 26, MILLER,50, MURPHY, 28, RAMAL CURTIS,  31, ROYSTER, 39, RHODES, 33, and WILSON, 33, are charged with conspiring to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, 280 grams and more of crack cocaine and 100 grams and more of heroin, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  BURGESS, FELIX, NEWTON, SUMPTER, CURTIS, ROBINSON, and WILSON, are charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and ATF.

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 herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.