Two Members of 18th Street Gang Convicted of Murder in-Aid-Of Racketeering and Other Gang Related Crimes

Defendants on a Motorbike Fatally Shot Victim as He Rode in the Back of a Taxi

Today a federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict against Herberth Rodríguez, also known as “Kepa,” and Elias Martínez Villanueva, also known as “Rebelde,” both members of the transnational street gang 18th Street, on all counts of a fourth superseding indictment charging them with murder in-aid-of racketeering and related firearms offenses for their participation in the November 1, 2020 murder of Diego Vanegas Vásquez.  Rodriguez was additionally convicted of racketeering and the attempted murder of Juan Valdéz in-aid-of racketeering, as well as narcotics trafficking and unlawful possession of ammunition.  Martinez Villanueva was additionally convicted of illegally re-entering the United States.  The verdict followed a three-week trial before United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II.  When sentenced, both defendants face a mandatory term of life imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department, announced the verdict.

“In committing the murder of Diego Vanegas Vásquez and other acts of brazen gang violence, the defendants terrorized a community in and around Roosevelt Avenue in Queens that they claimed was their territory,” stated U.S. Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s verdict proves how wrong and misguided they are.  It is the rule of law that controls and protects our communities. Our Office, together with our law enforcement partners, remains focused on dismantling violent gangs like 18th Street.  I can state with confidence that the neighborhoods of Jackson Heights and Corona are safer with these defendants effectively removed from society and no longer free to perpetrate crimes.”   

Mr. Nocella also thanked United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General for their assistance.

“Herberth Rodriguez and Elias Villanueva – members of a notorious foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the 18th Street gang – committed a senseless murder out of retaliation and terrorized the community with brazen public gun fights,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.  “Alongside our law enforcement partners, the FBI continues to eradicate the violence plaguing our streets and threatening the lives of innocent bystanders by attacking these FTOs head-on.”

“These convictions send a clear message: The NYPD will stop at nothing to identify, dismantle, and hold accountable street gangs that terrorize our communities with senseless gun violence,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “For too long, the 18th Street crew turned neighborhoods in Queens into their own deadly battleground against rivals, placing innocent New Yorkers at risk. But thanks to a thorough investigation led by NYPD detectives and a strong prosecution, our streets are now safer. I thank our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their support in taking down this ruthless organization and bringing its members to justice.”

As proved at trial, the defendants were members of 18th Street, a violent gang that engaged in murder, robbery, extortion, production of fraudulent identification documents, and narcotics trafficking.  As a member of 18th Street, Rodriguez sold large quantities of cocaine, the proceeds of which the gang used to purchase firearms and support incarcerated gang members.  The evidence also showed that 18th Street sold cocaine and marijuana, peddled fake IDs, such as fake Social Security cards and fake green cards, and extorted brothel owners by requiring them to pay money to the gang for the gang's permission to run their brothels.

Murder of Diego Vanegas Vásquez

In the early morning hours of November 1, 2020, the defendants shot and killed Vanegas Vásquez who they believed was a member of the rival MS-13 gang, in Jackson Heights, Queens.  On the night of the murder, Vanegas Vásquez was a passenger in the back of a taxi. The defendants, riding on a motorbike, pulled alongside the taxi at a red light.  Rodríguez fired approximately six shots at Vásquez, killing him.  After the murder, Rodríguez bragged about killing Vásquez to other members of 18th Street in text messages.

Attempted Murder of Juan Valdéz

On October 10, 2020, Rodríguez set out to kill Juan Valdéz, who he believed had disrespected 18th Street.  Earlier that day, Valdéz had a physical altercation with an 18th Street member in the vicinity of Roosevelt Avenue and 83rd Street.  After the fight, Valdéz got into his car and attempted to leave the area.  An 18th Street associate who saw the fight then signaled to members of the gang in the area to respond.  After hearing the signal, Rodríguez grabbed a gun that the gang kept hidden beneath a flower stand outside of a bodega on 83rd Street and ran towards the vicinity of the fight.  Rodríguez opened fire on Valdéz’s vehicle, but missed Valdéz as he drove away.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andy Palacio, Megan Larkin, Lauren Bowman, and Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Wesley Roberts.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

 

Five More Plead Guilty in Minnesota Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme

 

This week, Ikram Yusuf Mohamed, Aisha Hassan Hussein, Sahra Sharif Osman, Shakur Abdinur Abdisalam, and Fadumo Mohamed Yusuf all pleaded guilty to wire fraud for their respective roles in the sprawling Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. Prosecutors have now obtained 63 convictions scheme-wide, representing the largest number of convictions in a single fraud investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in recent memory.

The Trump Administration has made fighting fraud a top priority, just this week establishing the President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a multiagency effort dedicated to protecting benefits meant for American citizens in need. The Justice Department is committed to rooting out fraud in federal programs for the benefit of the American people.

“I am proud of our team of prosecutors, federal agents, and law enforcement partners who continue to expose the rampant fraud in Minnesota,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.

All five defendants were charged in United States v. Mohamed et al., 24-cr-15 (NEB/DTS).  This group, which included multiple family members and friends of defendant Ikram Mohamed, purported to run food program sites in Minneapolis and its suburbs, as well as food distribution entity.  The group worked together to steal and then launder $14.6 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program money that was meant to feed hungry children during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mohamed and Abdisalam pled guilty on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, and Hussein, Osman, and Yusuf pled guilty today, March 20, 2026, all in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel.  The defendants had been set to proceed to trial before Judge Brasel on April 20, 2026.  One defendant now remains in that trial, with the other remaining defendant set for a change of plea hearing next week.

Ikram Yusuf Mohamed, 42, was a leader in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme through her role as a consultant to Feeding Our Future. Mohamed opened several food sites that were enrolled in and received over $6.9 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. To conceal her involvement, she put the sites and entities in the name of family members, including her husband, mother, and siblings. Mohamed also created a food distribution company with her brother called Star Distribution LLC, which went on to create fraudulent invoices for the family-controlled sites that indicated it had sold inflated volumes of food to the sites that had in fact been purchased or delivered. At Mohamed’s advice, other program sites sponsored by Feeding Our Future used Star Distribution, causing it to receive $1.4 million for fraudulent invoices. Star Distribution also received $4.9 million directly from Feeding Our Future for the meals allegedly served at the family-controlled sites.  Additionally, Mohamed solicited and received over $1.3 million in kickbacks from individuals and companies involved in the food program through her company, IM Consultation.  Mohamed pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Shakur Abdinur Abdisalam, 46, Ikram Mohamed’s husband, participated in the scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program with his wife and other family conspirators through a company called Inspiring Youth & Outreach LLC (Inspiring Youth). Inspiring Youth purported to run a food site in Minneapolis. Between February and November 2021, the company fraudulently claimed to have served more than 1 million meals. He and his conspirators also supported their program reimbursement claims with phony attendance rosters purporting to document the children they fed. Those rosters listed made-up children with fake ages. Based on these fraudulent claims, Inspiring Youth received more than $1.5 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Abdisalam also paid a $21,000 kickback to his wife’s entity, IM Consultation. Abdisalam pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Aisha Hassan Hussein, 29, Ikram Mohamed’s sister, participated in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme as the principal of United Youth of MPLS LLC (United Youth). Hussein enrolled her company in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and purported to operate two sites in Minneapolis. From December 2020 through November 2021, Hussein and her co-conspirators falsely claimed to have served more than 1.3 million meals to children at the United Youth sites, totaling approximately $2.2 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Hussein also paid a $166,000 kickback to her sister’s company IM Consultation. Hussein pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Sahra Sharif Osman, 43, participated in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme as the principal of a non-profit called Youth International Club LLC (Youth International). Youth International operated two Federal Child Nutrition Program sites under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. The Youth International food sites were in Hopkins and Edina and purported to serve meals out of community rooms in townhome complexes. Between March and November 2021, Youth International fraudulently claimed to have served nearly 700,000 meals and received more than $1.4 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Osman also paid a $7,500 kickback to Ikram Mohamed’s IM Consultation. Osman pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Fadumo Mohamed Yusuf, 59, Ikram Mohamed’s mother, participated in the scheme through Active Mind’s Youth LLC (Active Minds), another company that enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Active Minds purported to operate a food site located on East Lake Street in Minneapolis. Between February and June 2021, Active Minds fraudulently claimed to have served more than 500,000 meals and received more than $1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Yusuf also paid a $38,500 kickback to her daughter’s company, IM Consultation. Yusuf pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Sentencing hearings for all five defendants will be scheduled at a later date.

These cases result from an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Bronx Man Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison For Enticement Of Minors And Possession Of Child Pornography

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that WINSTON COLON CORREA was sentenced to 25 years in prison for enticing minors and possessing child pornography.  COLON CORREA’s sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden, who also presided over the guilty plea. 

“Winston Colon Correa preyed on children by pressuring them to record and send videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “On at least two occasions, he even met with one of his child victims and pressured her to have sex, which Colon Correa recorded.  New Yorkers want those who engage in such heinous conduct off our streets.  This Office, and our law enforcement partners, will pursue every lead and use every tool to rid our communities of those who sexually exploit our children.  The message to predators from our Office is clear: there is no place for you in New York other than prison.” 

According to the allegations in the Information, public filings, and statements made in public court proceedings:

Beginning in at least 2022, COLON CORREA engaged in sexually explicit text message conversations with numerous minor girls he met online, during which he induced the production of child pornography of at least Minor Victim-1, Minor Victim-2, Minor Victim-3, and Minor Victim-4.  Law enforcement’s review of COLON CORREA’s electronic devices revealed that for multiple years, he engaged in sexually explicit text message conversations with many other unidentified individuals believed to also be minor girls.  COLON CORREA committed these crimes despite knowing that he was communicating with minors.  In fact, many of the minors made clear to COLON CORREA that they were underage—e.g., that they were in school, that they lived at home with their parents, and in multiple cases, their actual ages. On at least two occasions, COLON CORREA falsely represented to minor girls that he was only 17 years old. In addition, COLON CORREA met in person on at least two occasions with one identified victim, Minor Victim-4, during which COLON CORREA pressured Minor Victim-4 to perform oral sex and have sexual intercourse. Thereafter, when he was confronted by law enforcement, COLON CORREA falsely claimed that he had ceased contact with Minor Victim-4 after learning that she was a minor.  In reality, COLON CORREA had exchanged sexually explicit messages with Minor Victim-4, and attempted to make plans to meet her again, just one day earlier.

Anyone who believes they have information concerning the exploitation of children is urged to contact the FBI at 1-212-384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

In addition to the prison term, COLON CORREA, 34, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 20 years of supervised release.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in connection with this investigation.

Statement from NYC Comptroller Levine on Fitch Ratings and Kroll Bond Rating Agency Revising the City’s Outlook to Negative

 

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine released the following statement in response to Fitch Ratings and Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) revising the City’s outlook from stable to negative.

“A negative outlook from a credit rating agency is not a downgrade—but it is a warning. With today’s revisions from Fitch and Kroll now 3 of our 4 ratings agencies are sending us a similar message: New York City needs to address the underlying structural imbalances in our budget.

“Thankfully, New York City’s economy remains strong, tax revenues are solid, and our bonds continue to be safe, secure, and in demand.

“But the ratings agencies have made clear that we need to put forward a sustainable financial plan for the years ahead—one that addresses our structural imbalance, without relying on rainy-day reserves to close the budget gaps.

“As I’ve said before, we must build a budget grounded in realistic revenue projections, while identifying savings, ensuring spending growth is sustainable, securing fair funding from Albany, and strengthening our reserves in anticipation of potential economic risks ahead.

“Achieving those goals will not be easy, but I am confident our city is up to the task. Our economy gives us many strengths to build on. I look forward to working with Mayor Mamdani and partners across City and State government to deliver a strong, sustainable fiscal plan for the years ahead.” 

DiNAPOLI AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY DA PEARSON: FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FULTON-MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLING OVER $440K

 

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Montgomery County District Attorney Christina Pearson, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of MaryBeth Shults, the former Executive Director of the Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, for allegedly stealing $440,351 from the Chamber.

“Instead of helping small businesses grow and thrive in her community, Shults allegedly helped herself to $440,351 to fund her lifestyle,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to Montgomery County DA Pearson and State Police Superintendent James for their partnership in rooting out the misuse of public funds.”

“The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office takes matters of public trust and misuse of public funding very seriously,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Christina Pearson. “We thank the  New York State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli and his professional staff members and the members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their diligence in conducting this investigation, which led to the arrest of MaryBeth Shults for three felony level charges.”

“Cases like this represent a serious breach of trust and undermine the integrity of organizations that serve and support local communities,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “The New York State Police will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of financial crimes and hold individuals accountable when they exploit positions of authority for personal gain.”

Shults’ actions first came to light when she attempted to purchase a $160,000 home with Chamber of Commerce funds, prompting the launch of a joint investigation by State Comptroller DiNapoli’s Office, the New York State Police and the Montgomery County District Attorney. 

DiNapoli’s forensic examination of the Chamber’s accounts discovered that, in addition to the attempted home purchase, Shults embezzled over $440,000 in Chamber funds starting almost immediately upon appointment as the Chamber’s Executive Director in June of 2025.  As Executive Director, Shults had access to the Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce bank accounts. She allegedly used her access to write checks to herself, made unauthorized cash withdrawals, and pay for high priced items including a $57,000 down payment on a pick-up truck. She also spent $220,000 on personal farm equipment, a snowmobile, and furniture.

Shults was terminated in early March of this year when her alleged crimes came to light. 

The Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce receives funding from Montgomery County, Fulton County, other local municipalities, and state grants.

She was charged with Grand Larceny second degree, Possession of a Forged Instrument first degree, and Falsifying Business Records first degree. Shults was arraigned before Judge Wayne Moratta in the Town of Amsterdam Town Court and is scheduled to appear back in court on May 5.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Justice Department Sues Harvard University for Antisemitism

 

Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit against Harvard University for race and national origin discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

After Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023, Harvard has tolerated antisemitic mobs of students, faculty, and visitors allegedly expressing their opposition to Israel by assaulting, harassing, and intimidating Jewish and Israeli students with perceived racial, ethnic, and national connections to Israel. Harvard has been deliberately indifferent to its Jewish and Israeli students’ plight and failed to prevent such conduct by selectively enforcing its campus rules to permit it to continue. Harvard ignored what its own Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias deemed the “exclusion of Israeli or Zionist students from social spaces and extracurricular activities.” Harvard failed to meaningfully discipline the mobs that occupied its buildings and terrorized its Jewish and Israeli students. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in schools that accept federal funding.

“Since October 7th, 2023, too many of our educational institutions have allowed anti-Semitism to flourish on campus – Harvard included,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s litigation underscores the Trump Administration’s commitment to demanding better from our nation’s schools and putting an end to discriminatory behavior that harms students.”

“Every student deserves to learn without fear of harassment or exclusion,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “When institutions take taxpayer dollars, they accept a duty to protect civil rights. We hold Harvard accountable on the principle that antisemitism has no place in any program funded by the American people.”

“This Department of Justice will not tolerate the harassment, assault, or intimidation of Jewish and Israeli students, and neither should Harvard,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This Justice Department has no tolerance for such brazen violations of federal law.”  

“When OCR notified Harvard of the Title VI violation, we recognized Harvard’s public commitment to address antisemitism, but found its proposed reforms did not meet Title VI requirements,” said Paula M. Stannard, Director of the Department of Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR). “OCR required concrete action, not assurances. We commend the U.S. Department of Justice for pursuing this case.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, alleges that Harvard has failed to protect its Jewish and Israeli students in two ways. First, Harvard has continued to be deliberately indifferent to a level of hostility on its campus so well-known across the nation that members of Congress were writing about it. Second, Harvard has refused to enforce its campus rules against students who harass their Jewish and Israeli peers.

Harvard is currently set to receive more than $2.6 billion of taxpayer money under active grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, to say nothing of other federal agencies. The United States’ complaint seeks to compel Harvard to comply with Title VI, and to recover the taxpayer funds that Harvard accepted while in violation of Title VI.

This case is brought by the Educational Opportunities Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

Attorney General James Notifies New Yorkers About New State Law Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Payments

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert reminding New Yorkers that stores throughout the state now must allow customers to pay in cash. Under a new law going into effect on March 21, it is illegal for a New York food store or retail establishment to refuse payment in cash for goods or services. The new statewide law mirrors a similar New York City law that has been in effect since 2020. Attorney General James is encouraging all New Yorkers to submit a complaint to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) if they believe a store is violating the law.

“New Yorkers have a right to service no matter how they choose to pay,” said Attorney General James. “Businesses cannot deny New Yorkers access to necessities like food and clothing by refusing to take cash, or charging shoppers more for paying in cash. I will not hesitate to enforce this law to protect consumers across our state.”

Under the law, food stores and other retail establishments cannot require consumers to pay by credit card or use another cashless transaction method to complete their purchase. They also cannot charge consumers a higher price if they pay in cash. Stores that violate the new law will face maximum civil penalties of $1,000 for the first violation and $1,500 for each succeeding violation.

The new law has a few exceptions:

• Stores do not have to accept bills in denominations above twenty dollars; 
• Stores do not have to accept cash for orders made by telephone, mail, or internet, unless that transaction takes place at the store;
• The new law also does not apply if a store provides a device on its premises to convert cash into a prepaid card. However, the store cannot charge a fee or require that the prepaid card be loaded with a minimum amount above one dollar. 

New Yorkers who believe a store is violating the new law should contact OAG by submitting a complaint online or by calling 1 (800) 771-7755. 

MAYOR MAMDANI APPOINTS RICHARD LEE AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

 

Lee is a dedicated public servant and expert in the municipal budget process 

 

As Commissioner, Lee will oversee agency responsible for collecting revenue that keeps City running 

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of Richard Lee as the Commissioner of the Department of Finance (DOF).

DOF administers the City’s tax laws and collects the revenue that makes every essential City service possible. The agency collects more than $50 billion annually and values more than one million properties with a total market value exceeding $1.5 trillion. DOF also manages the City’s $10 billion treasury and plays a critical advisory role to the municipal pension systems and deferred compensation plan. 

“The Department of Finance plays an essential role in keeping our city running. New Yorkers are able to send their kids to public school, visit our parks and have their trash picked up because of the revenues DOF collects,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Even as New York City faces a serious fiscal crisis, my Administration will never sacrifice the essential services New Yorkers depend on. That’s why I’m proud to appoint Richard Lee as our next Commissioner of the Department of Finance. His command of the City’s budgeting process makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Agency and ensure that our City continues meeting New Yorkers’ needs.”

“It is an honor to continue my lifelong commitment to New Yorkers by joining Mayor Mamdani’s administration as the next Department of Finance Commissioner,” said Commissioner Richard Lee. "Especially in the midst of an affordability crisis, New Yorkers are looking to their city government to ensure that they can remain here, in the city they love, to raise their families and build their legacies. We can work together to ensure that the City’s finances equitably serve the New Yorkers who make this city run: working people, immigrants, small business owners, and communities across our city. As a lifelong New Yorker and son of immigrants, I am thrilled to lead the Department of Finance into this new era, one of opportunity and dignity for all New Yorkers."

A dedicated public servant, Lee is an expert in the municipal budget process, who applied to his position through the City's job portal. Most recently, he served as Director of the New York City Council’s Finance Division, which provides Council Members with analysis of budgetary actions and their fiscal impact. The Division also works with Council Members to monitor and evaluate agency spending.

Previously, Lee served as Budget Director for the Queens Borough President, overseeing all aspects of the office’s budget process, including development of its expense and capital budgets. Before that, he was Director of Budget and Legislative Affairs for then-Council Member Leroy Comrie, overseeing the budget process for the Council Member and the Council’s Queens Delegation.

Lee began his career in public service at Asian Americans for Equality, where he directed policy and community advocacy. He received his B.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, and his M.P.A. in Public Policy from NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. A Queens native, Lee and his family live in Flushing.