As Winter Weather Settles in Across New York, Governor Hochul Announces $100 Million to Enhance Pavement Resiliency in Every Corner of the State

Projects To Protect New York’s Roadways From Inclement Weather, Enhancing Sustainability of Statewide Infrastructure

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $100 million to enhance the resiliency of state highways in 70 locations across New York impacted by extreme weather. With project support from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, a total of 551 lane miles of state highways in every region of the State will be repaved, reflecting the Governor’s ongoing commitment to revamping and revitalizing New York’s aging infrastructure in the face of global climate change.

“Between extreme heat in the summer, devastating winter storms and the ongoing saga of freeze-thaw cycles, New York’s roads take a pounding from extreme weather in all seasons, and this investment takes direct aim at rejuvenating some of the State highways most impacted by extreme weather,” Governor Hochul said. “Keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair is a sound investment that not only increases resiliency but spurs economic development and tourism across New York.”

The State Department of Transportation is already responding to snow and ice events all across New York State. Paving investments in the face of extreme weather help ensure that state highways remain in good repair and have the added benefit of making it easier for Department staff to perform snow and ice operations across New York more effectively and efficiently. 

A complete list of paving locations, which will begin next spring, is available below:

Capital Region ($10.4 million)

• $1.1 million to resurface Route 85 from the Cherry Ave Roundabout to Blessing Rd Roundabout, Town of Bethlehem, Albany County.
• $1.4 million to resurface Route 144 from Route 9W to Albany County Line, Town of New Baltimore, Greene County.
• $833,000 to resurface Route 4 from Routes 9 and 20 to Route 151, Town of East Greenbush, Rensselaer County.
• $857,000 to resurface Route 66 from Route 43 to Old Route 66, Town of Sand Lake, Rensselaer County.
• $143,000 to resurface Route 50 from Route 5 to Bruce Street, Village of Scotia, Schenectady County.
• $1.8 million to resurface Route 9 from Route 8/Loon Lake to Valley Farm Road, Hamlet of Chestertown, Warren County.
• $1.5 million to resurface Route 28 from Adirondack Park Road to Hudson River, Town of Johnsburg, Warren County.
• $305,000 to resurface Route 67 from County Line to Route 22, Town of White Creek, Washington County.
• $2.5 million to resurface Route 9J from Route 9 to County Route 26A in the Towns of Stockport and Stuyvesant, Columbia County.

North Country Region ($9.9 million)

• $2.4 million to resurface Route 73 from the Cascade Mountain Trailhead to Liberty Hill Lane, Town of North Elba, Essex County.
• $927,000 to resurface Route 190 from the Franklin County line to a point 1.6 miles west of Brandy Brook Road in the Town of Ellenburg, Clinton County.
• $1.1 million to resurface Route 374 from the Hamlet of Brainardsville to the Village of Chateaugay in the Towns of Bellmont & Chateaugay, Franklin County.
• $989,000 to resurface Route 3 from the Oswego County line to Hessel Road in the Town of Ellisburg, Jefferson County.
• $965,000 to resurface Route 58 from the Hamlet of Fine to Route 23 in the Towns of Edwards and Fine, St. Lawrence County.
• $285,000 to resurface Route 184 from Route 10 to Route 812 in the Town of DePeyster and the Village and Town of Heuvelton, St. Lawrence County.
• $330,000 to resurface Route 3 from the Hamlet of Great Bend to the bridge over the Black River in the Town of Champion, Jefferson County.
• $1.3 million to resurface Route 11 from the east Village of Gouverneur line to Bristol Road in the Town of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County.
• $505,000 to resurface Route 374 from a point 0.3 miles west of Sunset Road to Church Pond Road in the Town of Dannemora, Franklin County.
• $479,000 to resurface Route 421 from Warren Point Road to Route 30 in the Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County.
• $597,000 to resurface Route 58 from Route 23 to Harmon Road in the Town of Edwards, St. Lawrence County.

Mohawk Valley Region ($4.3 million)

• $1.1 million to resurface Route 5 from Mary Street to Tilton Road, Town of Palatine, Montgomery County.
• $2.1 million to resurface Route 20 from Beaver Creek Road to Brothertown Road, Town of Sangerfield, Oneida County.
• $1.1 million to resurface Routes 20 and 28 in the Village of Richfield Springs and Town of Springfield, Otsego County.

Central New York Region ($10.8 million)

• $2.2 million to resurface Route 26 from Vrolyk Road in the Town of Georgetown to Eaton Brook Road in the Town of Eaton, Madison County.
• $600,000 to resurface Route 13 (Cortland Street and Utica Street) in the Village of DeRuyter, Madison County.
• $1.3 million to resurface Route 104 from the Mexico East Village line to Interstate 81, Town and Village of Mexico, Oswego County.
• $1.6 million to resurface Route 104 from the Cayuga County line to Route 104A, Town of Oswego, Town and Village of Hannibal, Oswego County.
• $2.1 million to resurface Route 5/20 from the Seneca County line to Route 326, Town of Aurelius, Cayuga County.
• $684,000 million to resurface Route 26 from the Broome County line to Route 41, Town of Willett, Cortland County.
• $1.8 million to resurface Route 174 from Lee Mulroy Road to Main Street in Marcellus and from Main Street to West Genesee Street in Camillus, Towns and Villages of Marcellus and Camillus, Onondaga County.
• $500,000 to resurface Route 931B (State Fair Boulevard) from Route 297 to Pump House Road in the Town of Geddes, Onondaga County.

Finger Lakes Region ($13.5 million)

• $1.5 million to resurface Route 96 from Route 366 to the Village of Waterloo, Town of Fayette, Seneca County.
• $2.6 million to resurface Route 77 from Interstate 90 to Route 63 and Route 63 from Route 77 to the northern boundary of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Genesee and Orleans Counties.
• $1.4 million to resurface Route 31A from Hulberton Road to Redman Road, Orleans and Monroe Counties.
• $2.3 million to resurface Route 39 from the Village of Geneseo to the Village of Avon, Livingston County.
• $683,000 to resurface Routes 943C and 253 from Route 64 to Route 65, Monroe County.
• $2.6 million to resurface Route 259 from Interstate 490 to Route 104, Monroe County.
• $2.4 million to resurface Route 20A from the Hamlet of Varysburg to the Village of Warsaw, Wyoming County.

Western New York Region ($10.6 million)

• $1.8 million to resurface Interstate 86 westbound from Exit 24 to Exit 26, Cattaraugus County.
• $1.1 million to resurface Route 62 from Gable Street to the Village of Gowanda, Cattaraugus County.
• $1.4 million to resurface Route 474 from Route 76 to Eddy Road, Chautauqua County.
• $709,000 to resurface Route 60 from the Jamestown City line to the Washington Street bridge, Chautauqua County.
• $590,000 to resurface Route 952Q (Walden Avenue) from Transit Road to Central Avenue, Erie County.
• $180,000 to resurface the Virginia & Carolina Ramps to Interstate 190, City of Buffalo.
• $125,000 to resurface the Busti Avenue ramps to Interstate 190, City of Buffalo.
• $637,000 to resurface Route 20A from Cazenovia Creek to Elmwood, Erie County.
• $263,000 to resurface Route 39 from Belscher Road to Clark Street, Erie County.
• $263,000 to resurface Route 39 from Newman to Route 240, Erie County.
• $650,000 to resurface Route 277 from Route 391 to Chestnut Ridge Park, Erie County.
• $808,000 to resurface Route 93 (Bypass) from Route 31 to Robinson Road, Niagara County.
• $660,000 to resurface Route 182 from Route 62 to Packard Road, Niagara County.
• $720,000 to resurface Route 93 from Raymond Road to Akron Road, Niagara County.
• $275,000 to resurface Route 446 from the Cattaraugus County line to the Village of Cuba line, Allegany County.
• $200,000 toward resurfacing Routes 446 and 305, Allegany County.
• $225,000 to resurface Route 19 from Gleason Hill Road to Gulf Road, Town of Belfast, Allegany County.

Southern Tier Region ($12.9 million)

• $2.3 million to resurface all four ramps and the rest area at Exit 37 on Interstate 86, Steuben County.
• $250,000 toward resurfacing Route 415 and Route 352, Steuben County.
• $2.3 million toward resurfacing Route 961M, Chemung County.
• $1.7 million to resurface Route 11 from the Hamlet of Castle Creek to Joyner Road, in the Towns of Chenango and Barker, Broome County.
• $2.3 million to resurface Route 38 from the Village of Newark Valley to the Hamlet of Berkshire, in the Towns of Newark Valley and Berkshire, Tioga County.
• $876,000 to resurface Routes 10 and 23 in the Village of Stamford, and Town of Harpersfield, Delaware County.
• $534,000 to resurface Routes 30 and 206 in the Hamlet of Downsville, Town of Colchester, Delaware County.
• $1.5 million to resurface Route 320 from Route 12 to County Road 29 in the Towns of Norwich and North Norwich, Chenango County.
• $1.1 million to resurface Route 26 from Overlook Drive to the Cortland County line in the Town of Triangle, Broome County.

Mid-Hudson Region ($16.5 million)

• $7.5 million to resurface the Taconic State Parkway from Route 55 To Tyrrel Road in the Towns of Pleasant Valley and Lagrange, Dutchess County.
• $3.5 million to resurface Route 312 from west of the Metro North Railroad to Route 22 in the Town of Southeast in Putnam County.
• $3.5 million to resurface Route 52 between Johns Estate Road in the Town of Shawangunk, Ulster County to Black Hawk Road in the Town of Crawford, Orange County.
• $2 million to resurface Route 97 from the Tusten Town line to County Road 114, in the town of Cochecton, Sullivan County.

Long Island Region ($7 million)

• $7 million to resurface Route 27 South Service Road between Pond Road and Route 97 in the Town of Islip, Suffolk County.

New York City Region ($4 million)

• $4 million to resurface Route 908B (Jackie Robinson Parkway) westbound between Central Avenue and Grand Central Parkway/Van Wyck Expressway (Kew Gardens Interchange) in the City of New York, Kings and Queens Counties.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Troy's Proposed Bond Financing For Its Lead Pipe Replacement Program Is Lawful And Constitutional

 

State Comptroller Releases Advisory Opinion Requested by Troy City Council

In response to a request from the Troy City Council, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued an advisory opinion finding that the city could lawfully issue bonds in connection with financing the city seeks from the State Environmental Facilities Corporation under a federal program to help fund its replacement of public and private lead water service lines without running afoul of the State Constitution’s prohibition on using public funds for private purposes.

“Exposure to lead from water service pipes is a public health crisis that poses serious risks to New York's children and needs to be immediately addressed. Our legal opinion is that the city of Troy’s proposed bond issuance to address this public health threat is constitutional and authorized by State law,” DiNapoli said. “It is encouraging that New York state and its local governments are taking action on this serious issue facing communities across the state.”

Troy’s Department of Public Utilities provides water to more than 50,000 residents, plus industrial and commercial customers through over 13,000 service connections. Many of the older buildings still have lead service lines and testing confirmed dangerous lead levels in multiple samples. Lead contamination can cause serious health problems and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children aged six and younger.

The city plans to pay for the replacement of public and private lead water service lines, using federal and state funds. According to the city, as part of the financing, it would issue bonds at no interest for nearly $3.9 million to be purchased by the State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Governor Hochul recently announced that Troy was awarded a state grant in the same amount, which in turn would cover the full amount of the city’s financing costs.

Advisory Opinion

Legal Opinion of the New York State Comptroller's Office

MAYOR ADAMS, COUNCILMEMBER MOYA, NEW YORK CITY FOOTBALL CLUB BREAK GROUND ON NEW SOCCER STADIUM, ETIHAD PARK, IN WILLETS POINT

 

Willets Point Transformation Includes 2,500 Affordable Homes, 250-key Hotel, 1,500 Permanent Jobs, 14,200 Construction Jobs, and 650-Student Public School 

  

NYCFC Will Fully Finance and Build New York City’s First Professional Soccer-Specific and Fully Electric Stadium, Projected to Open for 2027 Season 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and the New York City Football Club (NYCFC) today officially broke ground on Etihad Park, New York’s first professional soccer-specific stadium and Major League Soccer’s (MLS) first fully-electric stadium across the nation. In addition to the stadium — which will be operational by the 2027 MLS season and is being entirely privately financed by NYCFC — this project will also deliver retail, food and beverage facilities, office space, and “City Square,” a plaza for community uses and events. The stadium is one piece of Mayor Adams’ Willets Point Transformation, which will deliver 2,500 affordable homes — the city’s largest 100 percent affordable new housing project in 40 years — over 40,000 square feet of public open space, a 250-key hotel, a 650-seat public school, and neighborhood-serving, ground-floor retail shops that will create good-paying jobs for community residents. In December 2023, Mayor Adams and city officials broke ground on the first 880 units of affordable housing, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The next round of affordable homes to be built as part of Phase 1 are 220 units designated for low-income seniors. 

  

“Today, we are breaking ground on Etihad Park — our city’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium — for NYCFC to call home and finally deliver New Yorkers the soccer stadium they deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “Along with cohosting the 2026 World Cup with New Jersey, this stadium puts us on the map as a world-class soccer destination, and it makes Willets Point the city’s premier sports hub. This stadium is part of our Willets Point Transformation, building a neighborhood with more housing, public space, and a new school out of the Valley of Ashes. We are scoring the city’s largest all-affordable housing project in the past 40 years, a new 650-seat public school for our students, more than 40,000 square feet of public open space, and good-paying jobs and economic opportunity for local residents.” 

 

“As we break ground on Etihad Park, we are not only building a world-class soccer stadium, but also creating a vibrant, sustainable community in Willets Point that will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come. This transformational project exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration to deliver affordable housing, good-paying jobs, and a cutting-edge, fully electric sports venue — all while advancing our city’s climate goals,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “This is a historic step forward for both Queens and New York City, and I want to thank all the public servants, past and present, as well as our partners, whose dedication has brought this vision to life, ensuring every New Yorker has the opportunity to thrive.” 

  

“This is a historic moment for New York City FC, Major League Soccer, and everyone who has believed in the promise of soccer in America,” said Don Garber, commissioner, MLS. “We’ve always known that a world-class soccer stadium belongs in New York City. Congratulations and thanks to Mayor Adams, Councilmember Moya, Borough President Richards, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, club ownership, staff, players, and fans of New York City FC on making Etihad Park a reality.” 

  

“New York City Football Club committed ten years ago to build New York City's first-ever, soccer-specific stadium in the five boroughs, and today’s groundbreaking of Etihad Park in Willets Point, Queens, brings us one step closer to delivering that promise to our fans and our city.” said Marty Edelman, vice chairman, New York City Football Club.  

  

“We are proud to reach this monumental milestone for Willets Point, Queens, and New York City,” said Jeff T. Blau, CEO, Related Companies. “Following the announcement of delivering the largest 100 percent affordable project to the city in a generation, today is the next step to cement the future of Willets Point with the groundbreaking of the city’s first soccer-specific stadium. Once complete, this $3 billion project will deliver over $6 billion in economic development to the region, and we are proud to continue to transform this neighborhood into a thriving community.”  

  

“Today’s groundbreaking for Etihad Park is the culmination of decades of hard work, perseverance, and vision. We carried it across the finish line through collaboration and with the leadership of Mayor Adams and his administration,” said Councilmember Moya. “As an Ecuadorian kid that grew up in Corona, Queens whose life has revolved around soccer — I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this stadium to my neighborhood with union jobs and economic growth. I may not have become a professional soccer player myself, but I look forward to one day seeing one of the young kids learning to play in Flushing Meadows Corona Park don the jersey of their hometown club, New York City Football Club, and take the field at Etihad Park.” 

 

“Etihad Park is the world-class soccer stadium that Queens and New York City have long deserved,” said Andrew Kimball, president and CEO, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). “By building this fully-electric facility entirely privately financed, Etihad Park helps us achieve our climate goals without burdening taxpaying New Yorkers. This stadium is just one part of the historic transformation underway in Willets Point, transforming the ‘Valley of Ashes’ into a brand-new neighborhood that was only achieved through the public and private sector working together to deliver one of the most ambitious developments in the country.”   

 

 

 

Etihad Park and the Willets Point Transformation. Credit: NYCFC 

 

This historic plan will bring significant long-term economic opportunity to a community that has long been underserved. The entire transformational project is expected to generate $6.1 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, creating 1,550 permanent jobs and 14,200 construction jobs. Last month, Mayor Adams announced a project labor agreement with the Building & Construction Trades Council (BCTC) for infrastructure work in the Willets Point District. The infrastructure work governed by this PLA will support over 500 jobs. NYCFC will also incorporate community programming and outreach through its City in the Community foundation. City Square, a 35,000 square foot multi-use space located inside the primary entrance of the stadium, will serve as a community programming space operated by NYCFC during non-gamedays.  

 

The new 25,000-seat stadium will make New York City a national soccer capital, laying the groundwork for the next chapter in NYCFC and MLS history. This is also the first fully privately-financed major league sporting facility constructed in New York City in generations. J.P. Morgan arranged private financing for the stadium. The investment represents a major opportunity to capitalize on professional soccer as a growing attraction that can bring investment and economic opportunities to New York City, as well as expand New Yorkers’ love of soccer. Willets Point will become the city’s premier sports hub, with the New York Mets’ Citi Field and U.S. Tennis Association’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, both also within walking distance of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Mets-Willets Point subway and Long Island Rail Road stations. No new parking will be created for the stadium. Instead, NYCFC will utilize parking at Citi Field on match and event days based on an agreement with the New York Mets.  

  

Mayor Adams’ vision for the transformation of Willets Point builds on core goals in his “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” and “Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness,” including leveraging neighborhood infrastructure investments to catalyze equitable community development and creating housing opportunities in neighborhoods with strong access to jobs, transit, schools, parks, and other amenities. 

 

MANHATTAN MAN INDICTED FOR VICIOUS STABBING IN BRONX APARTMENT BUILDING

 

Defendant Allegedly Attacked Victim After Being Asked to Leave

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Manhattan man has been indicted for Murder, Manslaughter, and related charges in the fatal stabbing of a man in a Grand Concourse apartment building lobby. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “This heinous, brutal attack and was caught on camera. We will seek justice for the victim.” 

District Attorney Clark said Dynus Saxon, AKA Isaiah James Bennett, 20, of Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, a fashion model, was indicted on second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter, and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He was arraigned on December 3, 2024, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Brenda Rivera. He was remanded and is due back in court on April 3, 2025. 

According to the investigation, on the afternoon of November 10, 2024, inside 384 Grand Concourse, the defendant allegedly repeatedly stabbed Kadeem Grant, 35 with a knife. Video surveillance in the building allegedly shows Saxon stabbing Grant in the neck and body, then repeatedly punching, kicking, and stomping him. The defendant then plunged the knife into the victim’s chest. Grant was pronounced dead at the New York Health + Hospitals Lincoln. Saxon sustained cuts to his hand during the stabbing.

The incident occurred when the victim and the defendant who allegedly did not know each other both went to visit the same tenant in the building and the defendant was told to leave the building.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Rossi Mata, Charlie Viera, Mariusz Jasiurkowski and Bismal Tineo, of the 40th Precinct Squad and NYPD Detective Faton Alickaj of Bronx Homicide.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Mark Kelly

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released police body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Mark Kelly, who died on August 25, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Manhattan.

At approximately 12:33 a.m. on August 25, NYPD officers encountered Mr. Kelly, who was holding a gun outside of 1875 Third Avenue in East Harlem, Manhattan. During the ensuing interaction, NYPD officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly was transferred to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a loaded gun at the scene.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released footage from body-worn cameras that officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

Warning: This video contains content that viewers may find disturbing. 

Eighteen Cleveland Gang Members and Associates Indicted on Federal Charges for RICO Conspiracy, Murder, Kidnapping, Assault, Firearms Violations, and Drug Trafficking

 

A federal district court in the Northern District of Ohio today unsealed a second superseding indictment against 18 members and associates of a violent street gang known as the Fully Blooded Felons, who have been charged with various federal crimes, including racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, firearms violations, and drug trafficking offenses.

The investigation that led to the second superseding indictment took place over the last two years. Agents apprehended individuals in a series of coordinated arrests. They seized cocaine, methamphetamine, over 400 grams of fentanyl, and 15 illegally possessed firearms throughout the investigation.

“The superseding indictment alleges that these 18 defendants were leaders, members, or associates of the Fully Blooded Felons, a violent gang that — for more than a decade — made money and controlled territory in Northern Ohio through murder, arson, robbery, drug trafficking, and firearms possession,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Violence and other gang activities make communities less safe for all of their residents.  Addressing violent crime — including through the arrests announced today — is one of the Criminal Division’s highest priorities.  I am proud of the outstanding work done by our Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, in partnership with our federal, state, and local partners, to make our communities safer places to live by targeting the most violent offenders on our streets.”

“As the indictment alleges, the Fully Blooded Felons styled themselves after a Mafia crime family, terrorizing Cleveland’s streets and operating an open-air illegal drug market in the Cedar Central neighborhood for years. I commend the valiant efforts of our brave law enforcement partners who have worked diligently to win back our streets and protect our community by taking down these bad actors,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “The USAO will aggressively continue to pursue — through RICO prosecutions and other federal charges — violent criminals who seek to secure territory, power, and money by ruthlessly harming others, peddling poisons, and creating an atmosphere of fear. Members of FBF or other violent gangs in this district who have yet to be caught should think twice before continuing to engage in such illegal and destructive behavior.”

“For several years, according to the indictment, these individuals committed a homicide, armed robberies, and unlawfully imported and distributed fentanyl and other dangerous opioids throughout the community,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “The Fully Blooded Felons, a subset of the Heartless Felons criminal network, has been identified as Cleveland’s most significant gang threat and their reign of terror is over thanks to the collaborative efforts of FBI and the Safe Streets Gang Task Force. We will not waver in our mission to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle gangs not only in the larger cities across America, but also right here in northern Ohio.”

As alleged in the second superseding indictment, the Fully Blooded Felons have been in existence in Ohio since approximately 2012, operating primarily out of the east side of Cleveland, as well as Akron, Youngstown, and elsewhere. They are also allegedly active in the Ohio prison system.

According to the facts alleged in the indictment, the Fully Blooded Felons’ structure includes a “Commission,” which is a group of members tasked with maintaining the structure and organization of the enterprise through physical discipline and by determining which illicit means the organization would use to make money.

As alleged in the indictment, the Fully Blooded Felons had rules that members were required to abide by. The rules were disseminated to members online, by text message, and in face-to-face communications. Members were required to abide by “omerta,” or the code of silence. Members were also required to memorize and recite at meetings the “Fully Five,” a set of rules that included following all orders issued by the Commission, pledges of loyalty to fellow members, and being respectful to Capos, a position held by senior gang members. If a member did not know the “Fully Five,” they were punished. Members were also expected to know and abide by the “Fully Commandments,” a similar set of rules.

Fully Blooded Felon members allegedly utilized different two separate stash-houses at a local apartment complex. According to court documents, during the execution of two search warrants, law enforcement recovered over 300 grams of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as seven firearms.

Members and associates of the Fully Blooded Felons allegedly came together for the common purposes of making money through robberies and drug trafficking, preserving and promoting Fully Blooded Felon territory, and promoting and enhancing the Fully Blooded Felon enterprise and its members and associates’ activities.

According to the indictment, on Sept. 12, 2023, three Fully Blooded Felon members — Raven Mullins, Henry Burchett, and James Clemons — and another individual shot and killed a victim on the west side of Cleveland. After killing the victim, the defendants allegedly fled the scene in a stolen Honda Pilot, which Fully Blooded Felon members later burned.

The second superseding indictment alleges a years-long pattern of racketeering and violence including a murder, kidnapping, assaults, and drug trafficking.

The defendants and their charges are:

• Raven Mullins, 35, also known as Dunny and Dun, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, numerous counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Henry Burchett, 29, also known as Noodles, Noo, and Omerta, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, numerous counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Elijah Johnson, 37, also known as Loon, of Youngstown, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Demarcus Elliott, 37, also known as Moo and Fast Lane, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Dontez Hammond, 35, also known as Donny and Tez, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and illegal receipt of a firearm and ammunition by a person under indictment.
• Jeffrey Lee, 24, also known as Fatty, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, numerous counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Jerrell Jones-Ferrell, 25, also known as Ruga, of Cleveland, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, felon in possession of a firearm, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Devonte Johnson, 32, also known as D Nut and Nut, of Euclid, Ohio, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and felon in possession of a firearm.
• Jerome Williams, 29, also known as Jay, and JT, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Christepher Horton, 41, also known as Cam and Killa, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• Deeundra Perkins, 33, also known as Drizzy, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Deon Blackwell, 38, also known as White Boy, of Cleveland, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.
• James Clemons, 32, also known as Flock, Pope, and Fully Pope Flock, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering.
• Alex Darden, 23, also known as Lil’ Pee Wee, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Esmond Williams, 35, also known as Relle, of Cleveland, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Adrionna Null, 27, also known as Ali, of Cleveland, is charged with kidnapping in aid of racketeering and assault in aid of racketeering.
• Myeasha West, 31, also known as Action, of Lorain, Ohio, is charged with kidnapping in aid of racketeering and assault in aid of racketeering.
• Kyla Sharie Tyler, 27, also known as Yayeo, of Cleveland, is charged with kidnapping in aid of racketeering and assault in aid of racketeering.

The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Trial Attorneys Brian W. Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Hanna and Robert F. Corts for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.