As a result of a long-term Homeland Security Task Force investigation into gang violence in New Haven, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned a 19-count indictment charging 16 alleged members and associates of the “Stand On Business” or “SOB” street gang in New Haven with various offenses, including conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, and related offenses.
Today’s announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli; and Hamden Police Chief Edward Page Reynolds.
The indictment, which was returned on June 17, charges
BRIAN BACKMAN, a.k.a. “Bri” and “Lil Bri,” 19
EMANUEL LOWERY, a.k.a. “Flip,” 24
SHAQUAN RAGHUBIR, a.k.a. “Quando,” 21
KERWIN ROMERO, a.k.a. “Kerbo,” 20
BRIAN REDD, 18
MAURICE BEVERLY, a.k.a. “Mo Dizz,” 21
LAMONT QUADIR SMITH-REED, a.k.a. “Steph Curry,” 23
SHYON EDWARDS, 20
GIOVANNI CABASQUINI, a.k.a. “Gio,” 22
TAQUORE GOMES, a.k.a. “Poppa,” 23
WADE JOHNSON, a.k.a. “G-wade,” 20
JOHN BROWN, a.k.a. “Man,” and “Hot Head Man,” 21
ANTWAN BALDWIN, a.k.a. “Ant” and “Lil A,” 20
OMARI MUNDLE, a.k.a. “Mari,” 19
JA’TWAN ROBINSON, a.k.a. “Foolie,” 20
JAIVON WILLIAMS, a.k.a. “Jay,” 21
The indictment was unsealed after Romero, Redd, Edwards, and Robinson were arrested yesterday. They appeared in federal court and are detained. The other defendants are presently in state custody and will be arraigned in federal court at a later date.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA, New Haven Police Department, Hamden Police Department, and Connecticut Department of Correction, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war. The Stand On Business or SOB street gang, which during its existence has also referred to itself as “Get Back Gang,” “Everybody Killers,” and “EBK,” originated in the geographic area of New Haven known as the “Hill” in the southwestern-most neighborhood of New Haven. In addition to the Hill, SOB has members and associates who are incarcerated, living in other areas of New Haven, and in other Connecticut cities and towns. The SOB gang has long-standing rivalries with other neighborhood gangs in New Haven, including the “Exit 8” gang, which based in the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven, as well as “24-Hour Shorty,” “Sleepy Land Bitches” or “SLB,” and “the 3s.” Violence between these groups is retaliatory in nature, and members of SOB are responsible for fatal and non-fatal shootings in the Exit 8 section and other areas of New Haven.
The indictment alleges that members and associates of SOB engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms and machine gun conversion devices, and, since 2019, have committed at least two murders and numerous attempted murders. SOB members and associates promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their criminal conduct, including acts of violence, through text messaging and the use of social media applications, and in rap songs and videos posted online.
The indictment specifically alleges that SOB members and associates committed the following violent acts:
- On January 26, 2019, Lowery shot and attempted to kill an associate of a rival gang;
- On May 7, 2020, Backman, Cabasquini and others shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of the Exit 8 gang;
- On July 18, 2020, Backman and others shot and killed Kaymar Tanner after mistaking him for a member of the Exit 8 gang;
- On November 19, 2020, Backman, Beverly, and others shot and attempted to kill an individual they mistook for a member of the Exit 8 gang;
- On December 3, 2020, Romero, Lowery, and Johnson shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of the Exit 8 gang;
- On May 8, 2021, Cabasquini, Smith-Reed, Gomes, and others shot at and attempted to kill a member and associate of the Exit 8 gang;
- On May 30, 2021, Backman, Smith-Reed, and Brown shot and killed Semaj Reddick, a member and associate of the rival SLB gang.
- On July 33, 2022, Raghubir and others shot at and attempted to kill a member and associate of the 24-Hour Shorty gang;
- On February 18, 2023, Beverly and others shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of the Exit 8 gang;
- On May 14, 2023, in the early morning, Backman, Raghubir, and Gomes shot at and attempted to kill Exit 8 gang members in downtown New Haven;
- On May 14, 2023, in the evening, Backman and others shot at and attempted to kill Exit 8 gang members and struck an unintended victim in the head;
- On June 23, 2024, Beverly shot and attempted to kill and individual based on a mistaken belief that the victim had provided information to law enforcement leading to the arrest of an SOB associate;
- On November 16, 2024, Edwards shot at and attempted to kill individuals in order to protect SOB drug territory;
- On October 8, 2025, in the early morning, Backman and Redd directed Mundle to shoot at and attempt to kill an individual in retaliation for the murder of an SOB member. Later that day, Backman directed SOB members and associates to shoot at and attempt to kill the same individual;
- On October 8, 2025, in the early evening, Backman directed SOB members and associates to shoot at and attempt to kill an individual for disrespecting SOB and a deceased SOB member.
The indictment charges Backman, Lowery, Raghubir, Romero, Redd, Beverly, Smith-Reed, Edwards, Cabasquini, Gomes, Johnson, and Brown with racketeering conspiracy. If convicted of this charge, Backman, Smith-Reed, and Brown face a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and the others face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
The indictment also charges Backman, Redd, and Mundle with one or more counts of conspiracy to commit murder in aid racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, all related to attempted murders on October 8, 2025. The racketeering offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and the firearm offense carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least 10 years.
In addition, the indictment charges Backman with illegal possession of a machine gun, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and with possession of a machine gun during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least 30 years; Robinson and Johnson with firearms trafficking related to their receipt of machine gun conversion devices, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; and Cabasquini with use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.
The indictment also charges each defendant, with the exception of Mundle, with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Cabasquini and Backman are also charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which also carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
“This indictment describes a cycle of gang warfare that has plagued the streets of New Haven for years,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan. “What is truly alarming, and tragic, is the collective ages of these young men who have chosen a path of extreme, unchecked violence. Their alleged actions demonstrate a reckless disregard for human life and the safety of innocent bystanders. Alongside our federal, state, and local partners, this office remains unyielding in our commitment to dismantle these violent networks and restore peace and safety to our neighborhoods.”
“This investigation and prosecution represent the hard work and shared ongoing commitment of federal, state and municipal partners in using all resources available to stem violent crime in our cities,” said New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr.
“These charges reflect ATF’s unwavering commitment to reducing violent crime by targeting the individuals and criminal organizations responsible for driving gun violence in our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Thomas A. Greco. “Through relentless investigation and strong partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement, we will continue to identify, disrupt, and dismantle those who use firearms to intimidate, injure, and kill. Today’s charges demonstrate that those who choose violence will be held accountable, and that ATF remains steadfast in its mission to protect the public and deliver justice for victims.”
“Violent gangs thrive when they believe they can operate without consequence,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien. “This investigation demonstrates that law enforcement agencies working together can penetrate these organizations, disrupt their criminal activity, and pursue justice. The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the citizens of Connecticut by targeting those responsible for violent crime, while building lasting partnerships with the communities we serve. We will continue to bring every available resource to make our neighborhoods safer.”
“Today’s indictment alleges a shocking pattern of violence that includes murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, and the illegal use of firearms,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget. “These charges underscore the devastating impact that violent gangs have on our communities, where narcotics trafficking and gun violence often go hand in hand. The individuals charged are accused of using violence and intimidation to further their criminal enterprise, placing countless innocent lives at risk.”
“The results of this long-term investigation demonstrate once again that only a small number of people commit the majority of gun violence in our community,” said New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli. “This indictment proves that we do not forget, and that those who perpetrate the most serious offenses will be identified and held accountable for their actions. We are extremely proud of NHPD Detective Cunningham and NHPD Officer Borges for all their hard work throughout this investigation. We are also grateful to the ATF, FBI and DEA New Haven field offices for their collaboration, as well as the US Attorney’s Office and our local law enforcement colleagues.”
“This investigation reflects the determination, faith, and unwavering commitment of our detectives and law enforcement partners,” said Hamden Police Chief E.P Reynolds. “Although years have passed, those involved never gave up on seeking justice for the victims and their families. Today is the result of countless hours of hard work and perseverance. While our hearts and prayers remain with the victims’ loved ones, we hope this outcome brings some measure of peace and serves as a reminder that justice may take time, but we will never stop pursuing it.”
This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, the Connecticut Department of Correction and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
