DEC Announces New York State 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Licenses Now on Sale

Deer Management Permits Available through Oct. 1

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2025-26 season are now on sale. 

“With an estimated half a million New Yorkers looking to take part in the long-standing traditions of hunting and trapping this fall, excitement is building and preparation for the upcoming seasons already underway,” Commissioner Lefton said. “Hunter education classes and licenses are now available to help hunters get outdoors and connect to nature. While hunters are planning ahead, I encourage experienced hunters to consider mentoring a new or less experienced hunter this year to help foster the next generation of New York’s sporting community.”  

Licenses and permits can be purchased online, at any of DEC's license-issuing agents, or by telephone at 866-933-2257. Hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 each year, while annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase. 

Beginning this week through Nov. 30, the DEC Call Center is operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 7. Regular call center weekday hours resume on Dec. 1. 

Hunters should have the following ready when buying a license:

• Complete contact information (e.g., name, address, email address, telephone number). For those who want their license and/or tags emailed, a valid email address is required;
• DEC customer ID number (if applicable);
• Proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license or non-driver’s ID with a valid New York State address);
• If purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card; and
• If not already entered in DEC’s automated licensing system, you must provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases. 

For additional information, visit the General Sporting License Information webpage on DEC’s website. Information for hunters with a disability can be found on the Permits for Hunters with Disabilities page on the DEC website. 

The 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which provides an easy-to-read collection of pertinent rules and regulations, is available on the DEC Hunting webpage. Copies are available at license issuing agents. Legislation regarding use of crossbows and a regulatory proposal for electronic carcass tagging and harvest reporting are both pending and are not enacted. Hunters are encouraged to stay up to date on potential changes as they prepare for the fall hunting seasons by visiting the Hunting page on DEC’s website. 

New York's habitat serves a vital role in maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife resources. Purchasing a hunting, fishing, or trapping license helps support DEC's conservation projects and ensures the future of natural resources for generations to come. 

Habitat & Access Stamp

DEC also encourages outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat & Access Stamp each year. Funds from the $5 Habitat & Access Stamp support projects to conserve habitat and improve public access for fish and wildlife-related activities. Examples of recent projects include a fish habitat enhancement project on Wiscoy Creek in Wyoming County and a wildlife observation platform at Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Onondaga County. This year's Habitat & Access Stamp features the American kestrel. 

Buying your License at the Great New York State Fair

DEC sells hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses in the DEC Aquarium building at the New York State Fair from Aug. 20 through Sept. 1. Fairgoers are advised that only credit and debit cards are accepted for these purchases as cash is no longer accepted at this license sales location. 

Deer Management Permits (DMPs)

DMPs (tags for antlerless deer) are available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through Oct. 1, 2025. DMPs are used to manage the deer herd and are issued through an instant random selection process at the point of sale. The chances of obtaining a DMP remain the same throughout the application period; hunters need not rush to apply. The 2025 chances of selection for a DMP in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through license issuing agents, or by calling the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Detailed information on DMPs is available on DEC's website. 

HuntFishNY Mobile App

DEC's HuntFishNY app gives hunters and anglers an easy way to display sporting licenses and privileges and view important hunting- and fishing-related information through the convenience of your smartphone. In addition to providing instant mobile access to electronic versions of your sporting licenses and privileges, the app offers the ability to report game harvests immediately while afield even when not in cell service, as well as links to useful information like season date summaries, regulations guides, a DEC contact list, and much more. Download HuntFishNY today from the Apple App and Google Play stores. 

Online and In-Person Hunter Education Training Courses

All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must pass one or more courses before they can purchase a license. Online and in-person courses are available. 

In-person courses include a field day where new hunters can get hands-on experience. All in-person courses are free of charge, but space may be limited. Courses fill quickly, so be sure to sign up early. Visit DEC's website for more information, including a list of courses, registration instructions, and ways to obtain study materials. 

All the requirements to earn a New York State hunter education certificate can also be met by completing DEC's online hunter education course and passing the exam. Upon passing, participants will receive a hunter education certificate so they can purchase a hunting license. Participants must be New York State residents and the cost of the course is $24.95. The online course can be accessed at the Hunter-Ed website. 

New York State is also offering an online bowhunter education certification course. Upon passing, hunters will receive their bowhunter education certificate so they can purchase a bowhunting privilege. Participants must be New York State residents and the cost of the course is $30. The online course can be accessed at the Bowhunter-Ed website.

Justice Department Dismisses Race-Based 44-Year-Old Consent Decree

 

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division ended a court-imposed decree initiated by the Carter administration, which limited the hiring practices of the federal government based on flawed and outdated theories of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In Luevano v. Ezell, the Court dismissed a consent decree based on a lawsuit initially brought by interest groups representing federal employees in 1979. The decree entered in 1981 imposed draconian test review and implementation procedures on the Office of Personnel Management—and consequently all other federal agencies—requiring them to receive permission prior to using any tests for potential federal employees, in an attempt to require equal testing outcomes among all races of test-takers.

“For over four decades, this decree has hampered the federal government from hiring the top talent of our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department removed that barrier and reopened federal employment opportunities based on merit—not race.”

“It’s simple, competence and merit are the standards by which we should all be judged; nothing more and nothing less,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the District of Columbia. “It’s about time people are judged, not by their identity, but instead ‘by the content of their character.’”

Note: Read the Dismissal here. 

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for NYC Metro, Lower HV, Upper HV, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central and Western New York Regions for Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025

In Effect for Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald are issuing an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, for the New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central and Western New York regions due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada. In addition, there is the potential for visible smoke and hazy skies across the state and New Yorkers may see temporary spikes in smoke-related pollution that reach “unhealthy” levels that affect people with respiratory concerns, as well as the general public.  

The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter  

The advisory will be in effect from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m.    

The Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of: New York City Metro, which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties; Lower Hudson Valley, which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, and Sullivan counties; Upper Hudson Valley, which includes Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington counties; Adirondacks, which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties; Eastern Lake Ontario, which includes northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego, and Wayne counties; Western New York, which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties and Central New York, which includes Allegany, Broome, southern Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, southern Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates counties. 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

Fine Particulate Matter

Fine particulate matter (PM) consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g., vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere. 

Exposure can cause short-term health effects, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5. 

When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high. Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website. 

Additional information on PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC’s website or by PDF download. 

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

MAYOR ADAMS AND NYPD COMMISSIONER TISCH EXPAND QUALITY OF LIFE TEAMS ACROSS ALL OF BROOKLYN FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL PILOT LAUNCH

Since Inception, Q-Teams Have Responded to Over 23,400 Quality-of-Life Calls 

  

Pilot Commands Reduced Non-Emergency Response Times by Average of 47 Minutes  

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced the expansion of the NYPD’s Quality of Life Teams across the entire borough of Brooklyn. This work is part of the NYPD’s focus on tackling the daily issues that impact New Yorkers’ sense of safety and well-being, including cracking down on illegal mopeds, towing abandoned and derelict vehicles, cleaning up encampments, addressing outdoor drug use, and responding to noise complaints. 

  

Starting this past April, the NYPD launched “Q-Teams” in six pilot commands, and to date, these teams have improved non-emergency response times by an average of 47 minutes, towed 640 vehicles, and seized 299 illegal e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. Following the success of the pilot program, the NYPD expanded Q-Teams to every precinct in Manhattan on July 14 and throughout the Bronx on July 21, and last Monday, they added every precinct in Brooklyn. To date, Q-Teams have responded to more than 23,400 911 and 311 calls. The NYPD will continue to expand these efforts to every precinct in Queens on August 11, Staten Island on August 18, and to all housing commands on August 25. 

  

“Last week, we expanded our NYPD Quality of Life teams across Brooklyn as we continued to sweep out crime and deliver a safer city that is more livable, one neighborhood at a time,” said Mayor Adams. “Every New Yorker deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe from gun violence, that has clean streets, and that is free from illegal activities — and our administration is delivering exactly that to our city’s residents. With this Brooklyn rollout and more boroughs to come in the next month, we are ensuring that New York City remains the safest big city in America and the best place to raise a family.” 

  

"The Quality of Life Division’s mission is simple, yet vital: respond to real complaints from real people — and address the everyday issues they are dealing with,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “The abandoned vehicle left on the corner, the illegal e-bike parked on the sidewalk, the unlicensed smoke shop that opened on your block — all these everyday concerns add up to New Yorkers not feeling safe in their communities. Those days are coming to an end. Every precinct in Brooklyn now has a Q-Team to ensure that a true quality of life is experienced by everyone who calls the borough home.” 

  

Program Results 

  

On April 14, the NYPD launched Q-Teams across six pilot commands: the 13th, 40th, 60th, 75th, and 101st precincts, along with Police Service Area 1. Since the launch and through July 31, Q-Teams have responded directly to communities and made significant improvements to New Yorkers’ quality-of-life concerns. 

  

Six Pilot Commands:  

•   Responded to 16,128 911 and 311 calls.  

•   Towed 640 abandoned and derelict vehicles.  

•   Seized 299 illegal e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. 

  

Manhattan Q-Teams: 

•   Responded to 3,349 911 and 311 calls.  

•   Towed 49 abandoned and derelict vehicles.  

•   Seized 93 illegal e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. 

  

Bronx Q-Teams: 

•   Responded to 2,649 911 and 311 calls.  

•   Towed 36 abandoned and derelict vehicles.  

•   Seized 26 illegal e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. 

  

Brooklyn Q-Teams: 

•   Responded to 1,305 911 and 311 calls.  

•   Towed 55 abandoned and derelict vehicles.  

•   Seized 16 illegal e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. 

  

In addition to Q-Team operations, the following NYPD units also contributed to addressing quality-of-life conditions in the pilot commands, as well as in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn through July 31, with the results below:  

  

•   Vehicle Response Team: Towed 5,352 abandoned or derelict vehicles. 

•   Smoke Shop Task Force: Executed 1,034 inspections and padlocked 184 smoke shops. 

•   Encampment Team: Resolved 1,317 homeless conditions.  

  

Q-Teams are comprised of officers from across the NYPD who undergo specialized training on how to address non-emergency, quality-of-life concerns, including noise complaints, illegal vending, outdoor drug use, unregistered vehicles, encampments, and reckless e-bike and scooter riding. Each team receives additional instruction in discretionary responses to specific conditions as an alternative to using enforcement tools. 

  

The NYPD holds monthly Q-Stat meetings — modeled after the NYPD’s main crime data tracker, “CompStat” — to analyze precinct and public service data related to 311 calls and requests. This process helps examine operation outcomes, identify neighborhoods that are most susceptible to recurring quality-of-life issues, and hold precincts accountable. New York City’s 311 system, NYC311, is a non-emergency service that allows New Yorkers to report non-emergency issues, request city services, and discover information about government programs. 

Governor Hochul Issues Update on Statewide Air Quality to Keep New Yorkers Safe

Visible Smoke Statewide, New Yorkers Encouraged to Take Precautions and be “Air Quality Aware”

Air Quality Tracked by DEC Meteorologists Using Data from More Than 50 Sites Across New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul today issued an update on the State’s comprehensive air monitoring efforts to track air quality statewide and keep New Yorkers safe. New York State is updating an Air Quality Health Advisory for ozone today, Monday, August 4, for the Long Island and New York City Metro regions. The advisory for fine particulate matter pollution remains in effect for the New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central and Western New York regions due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada. With weather patterns anticipated to bring more spikes in smoke in certain regions tomorrow, New York residents and visitors are reminded to include air quality awareness in their daily warm weather routines.

“New York continues to track air quality conditions across the state, and people in certain areas may notice visible smoke throughout the day,” Governor Hochul said.  “As temperatures climb during the summer months and less predictable factors like distant wildfires occur, I strongly encourage New Yorkers to stay informed and prepare for changes in air quality and take appropriate precautions to stay safe and protect themselves and their families by paying attention to the State’s Air Quality Health Advisories.”

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) provides daily air quality forecasts to ensure air quality information is available at New Yorkers’ fingertips. While New York State has some of the nation’s most stringent air quality regulations to reduce air pollution and protect public health and the environment, there are certain days that ozone or particulate matter can impact air quality.

Using data collected from more than 50 sites across the state, DEC and Department of Health (DOH) issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or PM2.5, are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

New Yorkers are encouraged to  check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality  forecasts and conditions. Information about exposure to smoke from fires can be found on DOH’s website.

AQI Health Guidelines

AQI health guidelines are associated with recommendations to protect impacted populations.

• 0-50: Good – Air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.
• 51-100: Moderate – Air quality is acceptable. However, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are usually sensitive to air pollution.
• 101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Sensitive groups include people with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers.
• 151-200: Unhealthy – Everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
• 201-300: Very Unhealthy – Health alert. Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
• 301-500: Hazardous – Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

An Air Quality Health Advisory for PM2.5 was issued for today, August 4, for New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central and Western New York. In addition, the Air Quality Health Advisory was updated to include ozone for New York City Metro and Long Island. The advisory remains in effect through 11:59 p.m.

The AQI is forecasted to exceed 100, and in some areas, could go above 150 momentarily. When the AQI is above 100, air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, teens, older adults, people with heart or lung disease, and outdoor workers. An AQI above 150 means the air is unhealthy for everyone. We urge everyone, especially those in sensitive groups, to check their local AQI and take precautions as needed.

Attorney General James Secures Refunds and Policy Changes from Queens Gym that Misled Customers

 

Aneva Gym Failed to Provide Customers with Written Contracts and Imposed Illegal Cancellation Policies

New York Attorney General Letitia James secured refunds for customers and new policy changes at Aneva Gym in Long Island City after suing the gym for failing to comply with New York laws meant to protect health club members. In June 2025, Attorney General James sued Aneva Gym for violating the law by failing to provide customers with written membership contracts and imposing illegal cancellation policies that prevented customers from easily cancelling their memberships. As a result of the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) lawsuit, Aneva Gym will change its cancellation policies to comply with the law, provide restitution for customers who were unable to easily cancel their memberships, and pay a $5,000 penalty.

“Aneva Gym misled its customers, causing many to keep paying for gym memberships that they should have been able to easily cancel,” said Attorney General James. “Clear contracts and simple cancellation processes protect consumers. I will continue to enforce our laws to make sure businesses do not take advantage of New Yorkers.”

An OAG investigation found that Aneva Gym, which opened in 2022, misled its customers by failing to comply with numerous provisions of New York’s Health Club Services law. Aneva Gym did not provide its members with written contracts as required by the law. Instead, it posted terms and conditions that violated the law on its website. For example, Aneva Gym required customers to cancel their memberships in writing and in person, when the law requires that customers be able to make cancellations via website, email, mail, telephone, or in person. Aneva Gym also required its customers to cancel their memberships 30 days in advance, when the law allows customers to cancel gym memberships within three business days of when a monthly membership renews. In addition, Aneva Gym failed to post a legally required $50,000 bond with the Department of State, which helps protect consumers if the gym goes out of business or fails to provide the services promised.

The settlement submitted to the court requires Aneva Gym to comply with all provisions of New York’s Health Club Services law. Aneva Gym must provide written contracts to members that comply with the law and update its cancellation policies to allow customers to cancel memberships in a variety of ways. The business must also provide restitution and refunds to consumers who had problems cancelling their memberships and pay another $5,000 in penalties. Aneva Gym has now posted the required $50,000 bond with the Department of State.

Attorney General James asks any consumers who had difficulty cancelling their contracts to file a consumer complaint online or contact OAG's hotline at (800) 771-7755. Attorney General James also suggests that prior to joining a health club, consumers check to see whether their health club has posted the required financial security. If an operating health club is not listed on the website, consumers should not join and should file a consumer complaint online with OAG and with the New York Department of State.

Former NFL Player Convicted of Operating Large-Scale Dog Fighting and Trafficking Venture in Oklahoma

 

Following a multi-day trial, a federal jury in Oklahoma last week convicted Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on six felony counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures.

Following the verdict, Johnson surrendered to the government the 190 dogs seized in this case. The government is pursuing forfeiture of these dogs. The United States Marshals Service cares for dogs seized in dog fighting cases through its asset forfeiture program.

“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This case underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting animals from abuse — 190 dogs are now safe thanks to outstanding collaborative work by our attorneys and law enforcement components.”

“This conviction sends a strong message that those who abuse animals for entertainment and profit will face serious consequences under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and our partners are committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the brutal practice of dog fighting and to disrupting this illegal and inhumane industry.”

“Dog fighting is a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “I commend the hard work of our law enforcement partners in investigating this case and holding the defendant accountable for his crimes.”

“Dog fighting is a cruel crime that has no place in our communities,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Jose A. Perez. “This conviction sends the message that those who engage in organized animal fighting will be brought to justice. The FBI and our partners will continue to target those who turn violence into a business.”

The conviction stems from an indictment unsealed in March which detailed Johnson’s operation of “Mal Kant Kennels.” The jury heard evidence that Johnson bred and trafficked “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs and their offspring for the purpose of dog fighting, profiting from the cruel and illegal industry. Authorities seized the 190 dogs from his property, which is the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case. Johnson, who had a prior state conviction for dog fighting in 2004, will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.

The FBI’s New Orleans Field Office, Shreveport Resident Agency office investigated the case.

Bronx Man Sentenced To 27 Years For 2016 Murder And Conspiracy To Distribute Crack And Heroin

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that BRUCE MORRIS, a/k/a “G,” was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman to 27 years in prison in connection with the August 2016 murder of Jerome Jemison in the Bronx, New York, as well as related narcotics and firearm offenses.  MORRIS was convicted following a jury trial in January 2025 of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and heroin and of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in connection with that conspiracy.  Following an evidentiary hearing, Judge Furman also found that MORRIS was responsible for the murder of Jemison.  

“In 2016, Bruce Morris murdered Jerome Jemison in the middle of the day on the landing of a public stairwell of an apartment building in the Bronx, a building that he terrorized for over a decade,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Morris has now been held accountable for his heinous crimes.”   

As detailed in public filings and public court proceedings:

From at least 2012 through in or about June 2023, MORRIS led a narcotics conspiracy that sold crack cocaine and heroin in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx.  The base of MORRIS’s operation was an apartment in the building where his family lived at 868 Faile Street and the surrounding area, as well as, for a time, a vacant apartment in that same building.  MORRIS used guns, threats of violence, and acts of violence to maintain control of his drug trafficking business and the building.  On one occasion, when the superintendent of the building confronted the conspirators about their use of the vacant apartment, MORRIS threatened the superintendent with a firearm.

On August 11, 2016, during the middle of a summer day, on the third floor of 868 Faile Street, MORRIS shot Sal in the back of his head over a drug debt.  Sal was 46 years old.

In addition to his prison term, MORRIS, 43, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department.