Thursday, August 21, 2025

U.S. Coast Guard Takes on Drug Cartels and Human Smugglers in Operation Pacific Viper

The Coast Guard’s surge to the Eastern Pacific is intercepting deadly drugs and illegal aliens before they reach American shores

The United States Coast Guard launched Operation Pacific Viper: a surge in forces to the Eastern Pacific to stop the cartels and criminal organizations – cutting off drugs and human smuggling before it reaches American shores.

Since launching Pacific Viper, the Coast Guard has hunted down, interdicted, and boarded several illegal vessels, seizing thousands of pounds of drugs and detaining several smugglers.

“80% of illicit drug seizures occur at sea. The U.S. Coast Guard is surging maritime interdictions in the Eastern Pacific to stop the cartels and criminal organizations— cutting off drugs and human smuggling before it reaches American shores,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “As part of Operation Pacific Viper, USCGC Stone interdicted 2 vessels — seizing 3,497 kilograms of cocaine and detaining 6 Ecuadorian smugglers. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”

The Coast Guard has also interdicted multiple other drug smuggling boats across the Eastern Pacific. Thus far, it has seized over 13,000 pounds of cocaine and arrested 11 suspected drug smugglers.

On August 8th USCG Cutter Hamilton interdicted a drug smuggling vessel south of Mexico, seizing three detainees along with over 4,000 pounds of cocaine.

USCGC Hamilton Interdiction

USCGC Hamilton conducts interdiction of drug smuggling Mexico on August 8th, 2025.

USCGC Hamilton Boarding

On August 11th, a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) onboard the U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Sampson interdicted a drug smuggling boat south of Mexico. The suspected traffickers tried to dump their cargo and flee. The LEDET fired upon the vessel’s engine from a helicopter, disabling it. Two suspected smugglers were detained along with over 1,300 pounds of cocaine.

USS Sampson Interdiction

USCG Law Enforcement Detachment 105 prepares to offload interdicted contraband on to the USSS Sampson. Image courtesy of the United States Navy.

USS Sampson Interdict 2

Sailors abord the USS Sampson transfer interdicted contraband onto the boat deck during the maritime interdiction operation in the Eastern Pacific. Image courtesy of the United States Navy.

On August 16th, the USCG Cutter Stone interdicted a smuggling vessel south of the Galapagos Islands. Service members disabled the vessel by shooting its engine out from a helicopter. The Coast Guard detained three suspected drug smugglers and seized over 3,500 pounds of cocaine.

Stone Interdict 1

USCGC Stone conducts interdiction of suspected smuggling vessel on August 16, 2025. After removing contraband and suspects, it set fire to the vessel.

On August 17th, USCG Cutter Stone carried out another interdiction, disabling the vessel’s engine with fire from a helicopter and detaining three suspected drug smugglers and seizing over 4,000 pounds of cocaine.

Stone Interdict 2

USCGC Stone Interdicts Suspected Drug Smuggling Vessel on August 16, 2025.

Stone Interdict 3

The crew of the Stone set fire to the vessel to sink it after removing contraband, evidence and detainees.

On August 19th, USCGC Stone interdicted a suspected drug smuggling vessel, seizing nearly 3,000 pounds of cocaine. On the same day, a boat launched from the USCGC Venturous seized over 750 pounds of cocaine that was jettisoned by a target of interest.

Two Gang Members of Bronx-Based 5zzly Crew Plead Guilty to Armed Carjacking on Long Island

At the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jaquell Blackwell pleaded guilty to carjacking. His co-defendant, Abdoul Azika, previously pleaded guilty to carjacking on July 9, 2025. Both proceedings were held before United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross. When sentenced, the defendants each face up to 15 years in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI,) announced the guilty pleas.

“Blackwell and Azika, wielding weapons and threats of grievous harm, forced their victims to give up their vehicles and instilled terror in their communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “They will now be held accountable for their crimes, and our Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to eradicate gangs responsible for violent crime.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Nassau County Police Department for their assistance on the case.

“Jaquell Blackwell and Abdoul Azika committed a series of violent carjackings by brandishing weapons to forcibly steal cars from their victims,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “These gang members repeatedly terrorized our communities by threatening violence to ensure fearful compliance. The FBI continues to facilitate successful disruptions via Operation Summer Heat by protecting our citizens from violent offenders.”

According to court filings and statements by the defendants at the guilty plea proceedings, Azika and Blackwell were members of the violent “5zzly” crew of the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang that carried out armed carjackings and robberies across New York City and Long Island. Both defendants pleaded guilty to one such carjacking in the early morning hours of March 19, 2023, during which they snuck up on a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood in Garden City, opened the doors of a vehicle, pointed a knife and a gun at the driver’s face, and told him to “get the f*** out of the car.” After the driver complied, Blackwell and Azika stole the car. Blackwell also admitted to committing another armed carjacking in Elmont on June 7, 2023, and Azika also admitted to perpetrating two armed carjackings in South Farmingdale and Massapequa on June 5, 2022.

Last of Eight Individuals Sentenced for Scheme to Defraud Over $17M in COVID-19 Relief Funds

Frederick Smith, 56, of Cordova, Tennessee, was sentenced for his role in an eight-defendant scheme to defraud COVID-19 disaster relief programs (including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of over $17 million. All eight defendants previously pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and have now been sentenced to a total of 96 months in prison and 45 months of home detention.

Details of the sentencings are below:

Rodrick Flowers, 49, of Memphis, Tennessee, 58 months in prison;
Frederick Smith, 56, of Cordova, Tennessee, 23 months in prison;
Jarvys Jones, 40, of West Memphis, Arkansas, 12 months in prison;
Mary Payne, 63, of Memphis, Tennessee, six months in prison, followed by five months of community confinement, followed by five months of home detention;
Cleveland Wells, 67, of Memphis, Tennessee, one month in prison, followed by five months of home detention;
LaTonya Herman, 46, of Memphis, Tennessee, one month in prison, followed by five months of home detention;
Brian Mays, 41, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, 18 months of home detention; and
Krystall Sherrod, 36, of Memphis, Tennessee, 12 months of home detention.

According to court documents, the defendants obtained funds under the EIDL program and PPP by submitting false and fraudulent loan applications prepared by Flowers and others on behalf of businesses and entities that the defendants owned, knowing that the applications contained false statements and misrepresentations about the entities’ number of employees, gross revenues, average monthly payroll, and more. The defendants then used the loan funds for purposes not authorized by the EIDL program or PPP, including for personal expenses.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Joel Weaver of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA); Special Agent in Charge Edwin S. Bonano of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG); and Special Agent in Charge Karston Gaardner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) Dallas Regional Office made the announcement.

TIGTA, FHFA-OIG, and FDIC-OIG investigated the case.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE LACK OF JUSTICE IN THE KILLING OF ALLAN FELIZ

"It is hard to accept that there will be no real accountability for the killing of Allan Feliz. I mourn with the Feliz family at this injustice – the basic facts around this case show wrongdoing that led to Allan losing his life, yet Lt. Rivera won’t even lose his job.

"While the Attorney General did not advance a criminal case, the lower standard for administrative discipline was clearly met. Lt. Rivera’s conduct in this incident and lack of credibility following it were such that the judge made the rare recommendation of termination – a semblance of justice and accountability that is now being undone by Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch.

"The same commissioner that attempted to immediately terminate 31 officers without due process is now rejecting over five years of due process by refusing to fire Lt. Rivera. Each of these cases presented an opportunity to advance reform – instead, the department is dangerously doubling down, undermining public trust and public safety."

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

The Seal of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

“Tonight, Texas Republicans delivered Donald Trump the rigged map he demanded.

“Trump, Greg Abbott and their allies know they can’t win on their record of stripping health care, tanking the economy and making families pay more with less. This is a last gasp of a desperate party clinging to power.

“In New York, we’ll confront Trump’s legal insurrection head on. We’ll meet him on the same field and beat him at his own game.”

BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR KILLING A MOTHER OF FOUR WITH TWO STRAY BULLETS

Victim Was on Her Way Home

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man was indicted on a charge of second-degree Murder for the fatal shooting of a Bronx mother of four who was walking home.

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant allegedly opened fire on a public sidewalk killing a mother whose four sons were waiting for her to return home with dinner. This defendant’s alleged actions demonstrate a callous disregard for human life and resulted in the tragic death of an innocent bystander.”

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jonathan Odenthal Diaz, 31, was today arraigned on the charge of second-degree Murder before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Darlene Goldberg. He was remanded and is due back in court on November 13, 2025.

According to the investigation, around 5:30 p.m. on January 6, 2017, the defendant allegedly fired multiple shots near Boston Road and East Tremont Avenue in the West Farms neighborhood. Cindy Diaz, 48, was walking back to her residence after purchasing meals from a fast-food restaurant for her children. The defendant allegedly shot her once in the chest and once in the arm. She was not the intended target. The victim was rushed to Saint Barnabas Hospital where she died from her injuries.

District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Robert Cintron of the Bronx Homicide Division and NYPD Detective Andrew Nash of the 48th Precinct Squad for their assistance in the investigation.

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

Bally's first Public Comment Hearing Less Than Expected

The first of two Public Comment hearings on the proposed Bally's Casino/hotel/parking garages in Ferry Point Park was held Tuesday night at the Hutchinson Metro Center. One has to wonder why a park alienation project such as Bally's that is being done in southern most part of Bronx Community Board 10 was being held in Bronx Community Board 11. It seems that the hearing was held in the same building as the Bronx Chamber of Commerce whose President Lisa Sorin is Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson's choice to represent her on this committee.

The first speaker questioned the posible collusion between the Bronx Democratic Party consulting for Bally's, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and former Bronx Democratic Party Leader Marcos Crespo consulting for the Queens Metropolitan casino project, and Patrick Jenkins the college roommate, close friend, and political advisor to Assembly Speaker and also a former Bronx Democratic Party Leader Carl Heastie. Jenkins is consulting to the old Aqueduct Racetrack now a racino also bidding for a casino license. On top of that the Bronx Democratic Party Treasurer Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and the Bronx Democratic County Committee Leader State Senator Nathalia Fernandez are members of the panel, saying that these coincidences need to be investigated.

With little publicity fifty speakers either said they were against or for the proposed Bally's project at Ferry Point Park. The community people who spoke against Bally's were outnumbered by the union workers, two parents of former Senator Jeff Kleins assistant, a couple of non-profit executives, the local newspaper publisher, a couple of people taken in by the Bally's purchase of Preston High School, a thirteen year old girl saying that she could now go to Preston since Bally's bought it, a few little leauge baseball coaches on the promise by Bally's to fix up the baseball fields, and the committee even took a break so former Councilman and good friend of Senator Jeff Klein, Mark Gjonaj a developer could make the hearing to voice his favorable position on the Bally's proposal. It was said another hearing would take place before the September 30th deadline for comment by the committee, but no location or time was given. Hopefully it will be in the effected community board which voted overwhelmingly against the Bally's proposal close to the proposed project.

Once again as was done at the Community Board 10 hearing food was brought in for those who were speaking for the Bally's proposal by former Senator Klein.

You can see a union person speaking in favor of the Bally's proposal, with another union person next in line to speak, and union people in the audience by the markings on their shirt of their union name.

Al Quattlebaum from Coop-City came to voice his opposition to the Bally's Casino proposl in Ferry Point Park. Mr. Quattlebaum has alredy annuonced his intention to run for the 82nd Assembly seat currently held by Assemblyman Michael Benedetto who sponsored the bill to alienate park land to build the Bally's Casino, hotel, and parking garages.

Former councilman anddeveloper Mark Gjonaj was the last speaker as the committee took a break waiting for him to arrive. In the picture on the phone is Stanley Schlein the mastermind behind the consulting for Bally's and maybe Metropolitan Park and Aqueduct also.

Councilmember Kristy Marmorato's Weekly Newsletter August 20, 2025

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

Dear Neighbors,

This week, we continued our commitment to supporting our community by sponsoring Family Day at Pelham Parkway and Throggs Neck Houses and co-sponsored back to school giveaways. It is always a joy to engage with our amazing community and ensure we keep providing valuable events that meet the needs of our constituents.

In this newsletter, you will find details about the district events that took place this week, along with information on various upcoming events we have planned.

It is an honor to represent you in the New York City Council and continue fighting to keep our community safe, healthy, and prosperous!

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

District 13, Bronx

Throggs Neck Family Day August 16, 2025

Always a great time with our neighbors in Throggs Neck and their families!

Family Day at Pelham Parkway Houses

August 16, 2025

So proud to sponsor Family Day at Pelham Parkway Houses.

This is what community is all about- family, fun safe streets, fresh produce, and community.

Friends of Pelham Parkway August 16, 2025

Back to school giveaway with our Friends of Pelham Parkway was huge success! Over 200 backpacks and school supplies given away - giving back to our communities is what it's all about!