11 Members Of Bronx “Wash” Gang Charged With Murder, Racketeering, And Related Violent Offenses

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of a Superseding Indictment charging Boss Terrell, a/k/a “Sauce,” Yaurel Centeno, a/k/a “Flex,” Lydell Seymore, a/k/a “Bugout,” Darrell Spencer, a/k/a “Rell,” Isaiah Thomas, a/k/a “Zay,” a/k/a “Chicago,” Jacob Baker, Tyshawn Brogdon, a/k/a “Shawn,” Rasheed Chapman, a/k/a “Ra,” Mamadou Diallo, a/k/a “Haji,” a/k/a “Aladje,” Antwan Mosley, a/k/a “Ant,” and Noel Carr, a/k/a “Noey,” with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes related to their membership in “WashSide” or “Wash,” a street gang based in the Bronx, New York.  TERRELL, CENTENO, and SPENCER were also charged with the murder of Tyrone Almodovar, who was shot to death on June 26, 2020, in the Morrisania neighborhood in the South Bronx.  TERRELL, THOMAS, BAKER, CHAPMAN, MOSLEY, and CARR were further charged with multiple other violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, arising from three further shootings and one slashing similarly committed in the South Bronx between July 2020 and August 2022.  CENTENO, SEYMORE, THOMAS, BROGDON, and DIALLO were also charged for their role in committing four robberies, two of which were carjackings.  The case is assigned to United States District Judge Jesse M. Furman.

TERRELL was already in custody in connection with charges contained in a previous indictment in this case.  SEYMORE is in federal custody in connection with charges filed in another case in Manhattan federal court.  CENTENO and DIALLO are in federal custody serving prison sentences in connection with prior federal cases in this District.  THOMAS and CARR are in state custody and will be transferred into federal custody.  SPENCER, BROGDON, CHAPMAN, and MOSLEY were arrested this morning in the South Bronx and East Harlem and are expected to be presented later today before Chief United States Magistrate Judge James L. Cott.  BAKER is a fugitive.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The members of ‘Wash,’ as alleged in today’s charges, terrorized neighborhoods in the Bronx and beyond by killing, shooting, slashing, and robbing other people.  Through these charges, we will hold Wash’s members accountable not only for the murder of Tyrone Almodovar, but for countless other crimes they committed in New York City and other states across the country.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said: “Gang violence and drug trafficking are plagues to New Yorkers quality of life.  The gang members charged today spread violence, terror, and dangerous drugs like Spice/K2 and crack cocaine throughout our city streets.  Thanks to the tenacity of the New York City Police Department, members of DEA’s Group D-22, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, eleven members of the “Wash” Gang are facing the consequences of their alleged crimes.”  

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “Today, New York City is safer because of the dedicated efforts of our NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners.  This case is further proof that the deadly combination of gangs, guns, and drugs will never be tolerated in our city, and that the NYPD will always work to hold every violent offender accountable for their actions.  I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, and everyone else who contributed to this important investigation.”

According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment filed today in federal court and statements previously made on the record in this case and related matters:[1]

From at least 2015 to 2022, the members of “WashSide” or “Wash,” a criminal enterprise based in the Bronx, New York, committed multiple acts of violence against members of rival street gangs and others.   To make money for the gang, protect the gang’s territory, and promote the gang’s standing, members of Wash engaged in, among other things, armed robberies and carjackings, drug trafficking, wire fraud, and violence, including murder, attempted murder, and assaults with dangerous weapons.  The members of Wash also travelled outside New York City and New York State, robbing and stealing from stores across the Northeast and in other states.  In social media posts, the members of Wash celebrated all of the above criminal conduct. 

For years, Wash engaged in disputes with rival crews in the South Bronx, which resulted in numerous acts of violence.  Among these were the following:

• The murder of Tyrone Almodovar after a car chase in the Bronx on June 26, 2020, in which TERRELL, SEYMORE, CENTENO and SPENCER all participated;
• TERRELL shot at rival gang members on July 29, 2020;
• THOMAS and MOSLEY participated in a drive-by shooting that targeted rival gang members but injured two innocent bystanders on August 21, 2021; and
• BAKER and CHAPMAN participated in another shooting that similarly resulted in an innocent bystander being struck on August 19, 2022.

A chart containing the names of the defendants who were charged today and the charges and minimum and maximum penalties they face is attached.  The statutory minimum and 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 investigative work of the NYPD and DEA and also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives as well as the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this case.

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

Defendant	Age	Charges	Minimum and Maximum Penalties
Boss Terrell,  a/k/a “Sauce”	22	Racketeering Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm Resulting in Death, Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm for Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon	Mandatory life in prison or death
YAUREL CENTENO,  a/k/a “Flex”	21	Racketeering Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm Resulting in Death, Robbery	Mandatory life in prison or death
Lydell Seymore,  a/k/a “Bugout”	19	Racketeering Conspiracy, Carjacking, Robbery, Use of a Firearm for Carjacking and Robbery	Maximum of life in prison; mandatory minimum seven years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence
Darrell Spencer,  a/k/a “Rell”	25	Racketeering Conspiracy, Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Murder in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm Resulting in Death	Mandatory life in prison or death
Isaiah Thomas,  a/k/a “Zay,”  a/k/a “Chicago”	24	Racketeering Conspiracy, Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm for Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; Robbery, Use of a Firearm for Robbery	Maximum of life in prison; mandatory minimum 17 years to run consecutive to any other sentence
Jacob Baker	18	Racketeering Conspiracy, Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm for Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon	Maximum of life in prison; mandatory minimum 10 years to run consecutive to any other sentence
Tyshawn Brogdon,  a/k/a “Shawn”	20	Racketeering Conspiracy, Carjacking, Robbery, Use of a Firearm for Carjacking and Robbery, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Aggravated Identity Theft	Maximum of life in prison; mandatory minimum seven years to run consecutive to any other sentence
Rasheed Chapman,  a/k/a “Ra”	19	Racketeering Conspiracy, Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm for Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon	Maximum of life in prison; mandatory minimum 10 years to run consecutive to any other sentence
Mamadou Diallo,  a/k/a “Haji,” a/k/a “Aladje”	23	Racketeering Conspiracy, Carjacking, Robbery, Use of a Firearm for Carjacking and Robbery	Maximum of life in prison; mandatory minimum seven years to run consecutive to any other sentence
Antwan Mosley,  a/k/a “Ant”	21	Racketeering Conspiracy, Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Use of a Firearm for Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Aggravated Identity Theft	Maximum of life in prison; mandatory minimum 12 years to run consecutive to any other sentence
Noel Carr,  a/k/a “Noey,”	22	Racketeering Conspiracy, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Aggravated Identity Theft	Maximum of 62 years in prison; mandatory minimum two years to run consecutive to any other sentence

 

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and the description of the Superseding Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR ADAMS ROLLS OUT “PROMISE NYC” TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN FOR FIRST TIME EVER

 

Mayor Adams Reaches Another Major Milestone in “Blueprint for Child Care & Early Education,” Increasing Access to Subsidized Childcare for Children Whose Immigration Status Makes Them Ineligible for Existing Programs — Namely Undocumented Children — Due to Restrictive Federal Rules  

City is Investing $10 Million in New Program by Contracting with Community-Based Organizations That Have Trusted Relationships and Deep Ties to Immigrant Communities  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced “Promise NYC,” a new childcare assistance program that will, for the first time in New York City’s history, provide childcare assistance to low-income families with children whose immigration status makes them ineligible for other, federally-funded subsidized childcare. New York City will partner with four community-based organizations (CBOs), each with deep ties to immigrant communities in their respective boroughs. This is a promise kept that was first made earlier this year when Mayor Adams released “Accessible, Equitable, High-quality, Affordable: A Blueprint for Childcare & Early Education in New York City,” in which he announced plans to increase access to subsidized childcare for undocumented children and others ineligible for existing programs due to restrictive federal immigration rules. Mayor Adams today said that the timing of this launch will be particularly beneficial to the newly-arrived asylum seekers, helping to ensure parents can pursue stable housing and gainful employ while their children are cared for safely. Set to launch in January 2023, New York City expects Promise NYC to support at least 600 children over the next six months.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they came from, and as a city of immigrants, we know that the American dream starts here in New York City,” said Mayor Adams. “Navigating obstacles in a new city and a new country are tough, and coupling those issues with a lack of childcare can prevent parents and families from achieving the dream they so desperately set out to achieve. By launching Promise NYC, we are alleviating the stress from those concerns, supporting children and families, and creating a fairer city for all New Yorkers.”

“Today, with the launch of Promise NYC, we stand up and say that no child should be excluded from early childhood education because of their immigration status,” said Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “Thanks to the work of ACS, in partnership with four amazing CBOs, we are moving this city closer to the ideal that all are welcome in New York City. Together, we are rolling out critical childcare services to undocumented children and their families in all five boroughs.”

“All children in New York City deserve the opportunity to access safe, reliable, and affordable childcare and I am thrilled that the Promise NYC program will provide even more children this opportunity,” said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “This new program is a gamechanger for countless immigrant families whose children were previously ineligible to receive critically-needed childcare assistance. Thank you to Mayor Adams for fulfilling his promise to launch such a monumental program for immigrant families, and to ACS Commissioner Dannhauser and the community-based organizations for helping to implement Promise NYC.”  

“All children, regardless of immigration status, deserve the benefit of environments that nurture their development, and Promise NYC will make this happen,” said New York City Administration of Children Services (ACS) Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “ACS is thrilled to be launching this new program in New York City, which will, for the first time ever, provide childcare assistance to hundreds of low-income families who were previously and unfairly ineligible due to their immigration status. Thank you to Mayor Adams for recognizing the importance of such a historic and innovative program, and for continuing to expand families’ access to affordable childcare options.”

 

“While some state and federal childcare programs are out of reach for many immigrant families with undocumented children, New York City will not leave any child behind. The historic launch of Promise NYC allows our city to continue to advance the promise of a better future for all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro. “As the city works to support recently arrived asylum seekers, Promise NYC will have a positive impact on their ability to seek meaningful opportunities so they can improve their lives in their new homes. We were proud of our interagency collaboration developing this childcare initiative, and we thank ACS and the community partners who will play a critical role in connecting families with this valuable resource.”

 

ACS is contracting with four CBO partners with experience serving immigrant communities and families to help launch the program. Center for Family Life will serve families in Brooklyn, NMIC will serve families in the Bronx and Manhattan, La Colmena will serve families in Staten Island, and the Chinese American Planning Council will serve families in Queens. Each CBO will be responsible for community and family outreach in their respective borough(s); signing eligible families up for Promise NYC; and supporting families’ search, selection, and enrollment with a childcare program, including issuance of monthly subsidy payments.

 

Eligibility for federally-funded benefits, like childcare assistance, is limited to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and others with “qualified” immigration status, which excludes thousands of families in New York City. This first-of-a-kind program will help to provide childcare assistance to these families.

 

“Without a doubt, this new initiative by Mayor Eric Adams shows who we are as New Yorkers. The mayor demonstrates that New York is home to all, that it doesn't matter what condition we are in when it comes to doing what is necessary for our people and for those who need it most,” said New York State Senator Luis Sepúlveda. “Children of undocumented parents or those without regulated immigration status will be able to benefit from the Promise NYC program. This will provide a tool that will change the lives of our people for the better, because while they work or study, they will know that their children are in good hands. I thank the mayor for his commitment to our communities and for doing the right thing in the right direction. This announcement is important because until now these people were not eligible for this childcare service. I am confident that once again this will be a national example and a further demonstration of the mayor’s commitment to serving the people of New York.”

 

“This is a victory for children, families, and our city because providing an education and care infrastructure to all regardless of immigration status has enormous benefits,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Our city will now engage 600 of our youngest learners left behind by previous programs and ensure that working families have access to high quality care before their children reach school-enrollment age. We are building a city where no child is turned away from obtaining care, workers can support their families holistically, and everyone can thrive.”

“Asian American and Pacific Islanders have the highest rates of undocumented status of all racial groups, and this disproportionately impacts undocumented children who are often shut out of critical educational and support services,” said Wayne Ho, president and CEO, Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC).  “As an early childhood education provider for immigrant families of all backgrounds, we are proud to serve as a community partner in Promise NYC, a childcare assistance program which will allow undocumented children to participate in crucial academic and social-emotional development programs and which will provide quality childcare for working immigrant parents. We applaud Mayor Adams for spearheading this important initiative, and we appreciate Councilmembers Cabán and Hanif for their support. We look forward to working with the mayoral administration, NYC Administration for Children’s Services, and other community partners to make this program a success.”

“Center for Family Life in Sunset Park is so very proud to join together with sister organizations across New York City to provide critically needed support to children in immigrant families. ACS's recognition of the presence of immigrant children who need the same benefits and supports as all children in New York City is truly heartening,” said Center for Family Life in Sunset Park Co-Executive Director Julia Jean-Francois, Ph.D., LCSW. “It represents a huge step in the direction of a vision of child welfare that centers community strength and resilience and addresses a fundamental need that all children in all families have for early education and the funds to pay for it. Child welfare, in its truest sense, is achieved when children are educated, fed, and housed and families have the financial resources to live with dignity and joy.”

“Insurmountable childcare costs are often a barrier to families seeking access to education, employment, and stable housing. That burden is particularly heavy for immigrant families who are ineligible for assistance. NMIC is proud to partner with the Administration of Children’s Services to offer childcare assistance to undocumented parents and children in our community; assistance that will alleviate families’ childcare cost burden so they can work towards secure and prosperous futures,” said NMIC Executive Director Maria Lizardo, LMSW.

“Every day at La Colmena we hear stories from immigrant families of the need for childcare assistance. This is why La Colmena is grateful to help ACS launch its historic Promise NYC that will change the lives of many immigrant children in Staten Island. We are grateful to Mayor Adams for prioritizing this much needed new program. We are ready to support our Staten Island immigrant families,” said Yesenia Mata, executive director, La Colmena.