A.G. Schneiderman Announces Prison Sentence, Fine For Former Judge Who Exchanged Favorable Rulings For Sexual Favors From Defendants

Paul M. Lamson To Serve Two To Six Years In State Prison For Exchanging Sexual Favors From Defendants For Beneficial Decisions

Schneiderman: We Will Continue Working To Root Out Abuse Of Power And Bring Those Responsible To Justice

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that Paul M. Lamson, the former Judge for the Town of Fowler Justice Court in St. Lawrence County, was sentenced to two to six years in state prison and will pay a $2,500 fine for abusing his position as a Judge by providing beneficial rulings to defendants that appeared before him in exchange for sexual favors.  Lamson previously pleaded guilty before The Honorable Derek P. Champagne in St. Lawrence County Court to the charges of Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree in violation of Penal Law § 200.10, a class “D” felony, and Official Misconduct in violation of Penal Law § 195.00(1), a class “A” misdemeanor. 

“For a judge to exploit their power and take advantage of someone in such a vulnerable position is truly reprehensible, and erodes public trust in our judicial system,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will continue working to root out public corruption and abuse of power, and bring those responsible to justice.”

Lamson was the Town Justice for the Town of Fowler Justice Court from 2005 to December 1, 2016, when he resigned.  When entering his plea in St. Lawrence County Court, Lamson admitted to soliciting and accepting sexual favors from individuals who had pending criminal cases before him in the Town of Fowler Justice Court. He did so under an agreement or understanding that his judgment, action, decision, and exercise of discretion as the Justice for the Town of Fowler Court would be influenced with respect to those defendants’ cases.  Lamson also admitted that he provided favorable rulings on these defendants’ behalf as a result of these agreements or understandings. 

Attorney General Schneiderman remains committed to rooting out public corruption, including in cases that involve judicial abuse of power. On February 24^th, the Attorney General announced the guilty plea of Delmar House, the former Village Justice for the Village of West Carthage Court in Jefferson County, for abusing his position as a Judge by reducing a fine for a defendant who appeared before him in exchange for sexual favors, and by paying a portion of that defendant’s fines in exchange for additional sexual favors. House pleaded guilty to Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree, and Receiving a Reward for Official Misconduct in the Second Degree. On May 2, 2017, House was sentenced to serve four months in a county correctional facility and five years’ probation, and ordered to pay a $5000.00 fine.

The Attorney General thanks the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, and the New York State Office of Court Administration for their valuable assistance in this investigation. 

Doctor And Two Others Charged In Manhattan Federal Court For Illegal Distribution Of Oxycodone Pills

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division (“DEA”), James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), announced the unsealing of an indictment charging of DAVID TAYLOR, a state-licensed doctor, with writing medically unnecessary prescriptions for oxycodone over a five-year period. In addition to TAYLOR, VITO GALLICCHIO, and DANIEL GARCIA were arrested on charges that, from January 2012 through at least June 2017, they conspired with TAYLOR to distribute oxycodone. All three defendants are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott later today. The case has been assigned to United States District Court Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said: “As the opioid epidemic wreaks havoc on too many of our communities, for years, Dr. David Taylor and his co-conspirators allegedly wrote prescriptions for and distributed medically unnecessary oxycodone. Doctors should be advancing the health of our citizens, not allegedly fueling the biggest health crisis facing the country, the opioid abuse epidemic. We are committed to holding accountable everyone involving in the illegal distribution of opioids, including allegedly corrupt doctors.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said: “It is alleged that millions of dollars’ worth of pain medication was diverted onto the streets of Staten Island, enabling addiction and overdoses on the borough. These arrests will impact Staten Island’s opioid market by shutting down an illicit pill distribution operation located at the heart of the borough, along Hylan Boulevard.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “As alleged, the defendants distributed Oxycodone for at least five years, at the expense of those addicted to these pain killers. The NYPD will aggressively pursue those who distribute illegal prescription drugs."

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in federal court [1].

From January 2012 through at least June 2017, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, DAVID TAYLOR, VITO GALLICCHIO, and DANIEL GARCIA, and others conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone.

TAYLOR, 74, GALLICCHIO, 48, and GARCIA, 57, are charged with one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. This offense carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad (Group TDS-NY), which comprises agents and officers from the DEA, the NYPD, the New York State Police, New York State Department of Financial Services, and New York City Department of Investigation. He also acknowledged the assistance of HHS-OIG and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictments and the descriptions of the Indictments set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Founder And Former CEO Of Technology Firm Pleads Guilty To Multimillion-Dollar Fraud On Investors

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced that MARYSE LIBURDI pled guilty to defrauding investors in a technology company founded and operated by LIBURDI. As a result of LIBURDI’s fraud, the victim-investors lost more than $6 million. LIBURDI pled guilty earlier today in Manhattan federal court before United States District Judge Denise L. Cote, who is scheduled to sentence LIBURDI on September 29, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “For at least five years, while her company earned little or no revenue, Maryse Liburdi, the founder and former CEO of a technology company, lied to investors about her company’s success and converted the funds they invested to her own use. In this way, Liburdi stole more than $1 million, and used it to pay rent on her Manhattan apartment, purchase luxury clothing, and pay spa bills. We are committed to fully enforcing the laws that ensure that executives are truthful with investors.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment to which LIBURDI pled guilty, a criminal complaint filed against LIBURDI, and statements made during the plea and other court proceeding proceedings:

Since at least in or about 2010, LIBURDI perpetrated a multi-year scheme to defraud individuals into investing in a technology company (the “Company”) founded and run by LIBURDI. LIBURDI repeatedly made misrepresentations to investors about the Company’s revenue and assets, manipulated Company bank accounts to hide the Company’s true financial condition and, contrary to LIBURDI’s express promises to the investors, converted investor funds to her own use.

While LIBURDI repeatedly told investors that the Company had millions of dollars in revenue, the Company’s bank records show that, from at least 2008 until the Company ceased operating in January 2015, the Company earned little or no revenue. Moreover, as reflected in the Company’s bank records, LIBURDI misappropriated investor funds, transferring over $1 million to her and her former husband’s bank accounts and to pay LIBURDI’s personal expenses, including luxury clothing. For example, LIBURDI used funds from one victim investor for, among other things, transfers to a personal bank account in the name of LIBURDI and her former husband; rental payments for LIBURDI’s three-bedroom Manhattan apartment; payments for personal credit cards; and substantial personal expenditures on corporate credit cards, including, among other things, expenditures at various retail clothing, accessories, and cosmetics stores, salons and spas, and wine and liquor stores.

In order to hide her scheme, LIBURDI manipulated the Company’s bank accounts by, on at least three occasions, writing checks for hundreds of thousands of dollars drawn on accounts with insufficient funds in order to fraudulently inflate the balance of a Company bank account and thereby hide the Company’s true cash balance from the investors. For example, in October 2013, LIBURDI wrote and deposited into the Company’s bank account a $700,000 check drawn on a different account that had a balance of only about $2,000. LIBURDI then falsely represented to the victims that the Company’s bank account held approximately $700,000 and showed investors a bank statement for the Company account listing the inflated balance. As result of LIBURDI’s fraud, victim-investors in the Company lost more than $6 million.

LIBURDI, 45, formerly of Victoria, Minnesota, and New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the FBI. He also thanked Italian law enforcement authorities, including Interpol Rome, for their assistance in LIBURDI’s arrest, as well as the Department of Justice’s Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Rome and the DOJ Office of International Affairs.

Former Hoboken, New Jersey, City Council President Found Guilty After Trial For His Participation In A $7 Million Dollar Car Loan Scheme

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a federal jury today found former Hoboken, New Jersey, City Council President and attorney CHRISTOPHER CAMPOS guilty of bank and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. CAMPOS and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained millions of dollars in car loans by using at least 20 straw buyers to acquire more than 200 new automobiles based on false representations that, among other things, the straw buyers would use the cars for their personal use when, in truth and in fact, CAMPOS and his co-conspirators obtained the vehicles in order to lease as livery cabs. The week-long trial took place before U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, who is scheduled to sentence CAMPOS on September 20, 2017.

CAMPOS’s co-defendant, Julio Alvarez, pled guilty to bank and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud on June 9, 2017. Alvarez is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8, 2017, before Judge Caproni.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim stated: “As a unanimous jury found, Christopher Campos, an attorney and former Hoboken City Council President, defrauded lenders out of millions of dollars. He recruited straw buyers to obtain loans for cars supposedly for ‘personal use,’ when in fact they made up a fleet of over 200 vehicles Campos and his co-conspirators leased to livery drivers. Campos now awaits sentencing for this massive fraud.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint, Indictment, and the evidence presented in Court during the trial:

Between approximately October 2012 and September 2013, CAMPOS and Alvarez, among others, orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently obtain new automobiles that they intended to lease to livery cab drivers. In order to secure financing in connection with the purchase of these new cars, CAMPOS and other co-conspirators enlisted and aided individuals with good credit histories (“straw buyers”) to submit fraudulent car loan applications to numerous lenders. In order to obtain the new vehicles, CAMPOS and other co-conspirators sent straw buyers to several car dealerships located throughout the New York City area, where dealership employees helped straw buyers submit fraudulent loan applications.

The auto loan applications submitted by the straw buyers falsely represented that the vehicles would be used for the buyers’ personal use, rather than as part of the defendants’ leasing business. In addition, in many cases, the car loan applications misrepresented personal information about the straw buyers, including their incomes and assets. CAMPOS also caused financing applications to be sent to multiple financial institutions at the same time so that the lenders would not know that the straw buyers were incurring obligations to other lenders in connection with the purchase of multiple new automobiles.

In total, the scheme carried out by CAMPOS, Alvarez, and others involved at least approximately 20 straw buyers, the purchase of more than approximately 200 new vehicles, and more than $7 million in fraudulently obtained loans from a variety of financial institutions. Most of the loans ultimately went into default.

CAMPOS, 40, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud. The conspiracy and bank fraud charges each carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and the wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Kim also thanked the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the New York Automobile Insurance Plan, and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for their substantial assistance in the investigation and trial.

Founder Of Purported Investment Company Charged With Commodities Fraud And Wire Fraud

   Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the filing of a criminal complaint charging MICHAEL WRIGHT with commodities fraud and wire fraud in connection with WRIGHT’s operation of an investment company, Wright Time Capital Group (“WTCG”). WRIGHT is alleged to have misrepresented to investors the trading performance of WTCG, and, after acquiring investor funds, misappropriating a large portion of those funds for his personal benefit. Additionally, after losing most of the funds he actually invested in foreign currency (“forex”) transactions, WRIGHT allegedly began operating WTCG as a Ponzi scheme, using funds obtained from investors to make payments to other investors. WRIGHT was arrested this morning and will be presented before the U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott later today.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, Michael Wright used his investment company as a personal piggy bank and issued fraudulent account statements to cover up foreign exchange trading losses, ultimately operating a classic Ponzi scheme. Thanks to the dedicated work of the FBI, Wright's alleged scheme has been brought to an end and he will now be held to account.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Wright allegedly lured investors to Wright Time Capital Group by falsely representing his trading performance. Most of the currency received was used for his personal benefit; some of it was actually invested in foreign currency transactions. But when this money was eventually lost, he created another layer in his litany of crimes—a Ponzi scheme. For anyone who thinks they can manipulate people’s investments in this way, we remind you today that’s simply not the case.”

According to the Complaint[1]:

WRIGHT started WTCG in January 2011, and ultimately obtained more than $400,000 from various investors (the “Victims”). While WRIGHT did initially conduct some forex trades on behalf of the Victims, he then began to steal their money, using it to cover his personal expenses, including hotel and travel expenses. From the outset of WTCG, WRIGHT misrepresented to WTCG’s investors the gains he had achieved. WRIGHT claimed in statements to Victims that he had achieved double-digit gains for them through forex trading in WTCG’s first six months of existence. In reality, however, WRIGHT earned little to no money through his forex trading. WRIGHT also operated WTCG as a Ponzi scheme by using the Victims’ funds to make payments to other Victims who were demanding the return of their investments.

WRIGHT, 30, of Rockville Centre, New York, was arrested this morning in New Jersey. WRIGHT was charged with commodities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the efforts of the FBI in this investigation.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Bronx Man Arrested For Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS

Saddam Mohamed Raishani Was Arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport While Allegedly Attempting to Travel Overseas to Join ISIS

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Dana Boente, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced that SADDAM MOHAMED RAISHANI, a/k/a “Adam Raishani,” was arrested last night at John F. Kennedy International Airport (“JFK Airport”) in Queens, New York.  RAISHANI was charged by a criminal Complaint earlier today with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS” or the “Islamic State”), a designated foreign terrorist organization.  RAISHANI is expected to be presented later today before Magistrate Judge James L. Cott in Manhattan federal court.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, Saddam Mohamed Raishani, a Bronx man, plotted to travel to Syria to join and train with the terrorist organization ISIS.  Having already helped another man make that trip to ISIS’s heartland, Raishani allegedly acted on his own desire to wage violent jihad, planning to leave his family and life in New York City for the battlefields of the Middle East.  Thanks to the excellent work of the FBI and NYPD, Raishani’s alleged plan to support this deadly terrorist organization was cut short at the airport and now he will face federal terrorism charges.”

Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana Boente said:  “According to the complaint, Raishani attempted to travel overseas to join ISIS and to provide material support to the designated terrorist organization.  The National Security Division’s highest priority is countering terrorist threats, and we will continue to work to stem the flow of foreign fighters abroad and bring to justice those who attempt to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.  I would like to thank all of the agents, analysts and prosecutors who are responsible for this case.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “This case is another alleged instance of the nature of the terrorism threat and its reach into communities here at home. It is also a great example of the coordination which exists among local and federal law enforcement partners who work together to stop these alleged threats and interdict individuals allegedly determined on joining a terrorist organization intent on conducting violence around the globe. The FBI’s JTTF will continue to work with our partners, both here and abroad, to prevent acts of terrorism.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “As we have seen many times before, allegedly attempting to join a designated terrorist organization usually has one outcome: arrest.  Thank you to the NYPD detectives and FBI agents who, through the original Joint Terrorism Task Force, remain relentless in their focus to keep New York City safe.”

As alleged in the criminal Complaint,[1] filed today in Manhattan federal court:

In January 2017, RAISHANI contacted an individual who was, unbeknownst to RAISHANI, a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement (the “CS”)  During a meeting with the CS, RAISHANI told the CS that RAISHANI had a friend (“Person-1”), who had left New York to join the Islamic State some time ago.[2]  RAISHANI told the CS that prior to Person-1’s departure, RAISHANI took Person-1 shopping to buy supplies to bring to the Islamic State, and that on the day of Person-1’s departure, RAISHANI gave money to Person-1 and drove Person-1 to JFK Airport.  In later meetings with the CS, RAISHANI expressed his regret at not having traveled with Person-1 to join ISIS.  RAISHANI also indicated his desire to wage jihad and his belief that the Quran can be read to justify the violence, including beheadings, engaged in by ISIS.    

As part of the investigation, the CS introduced RAISHANI to an undercover law enforcement officer (“UC-1”), who was posing as an individual who wanted to travel abroad to fight for ISIS.  During meetings with the CS and UC-1, RAISHANI expressed his desire to travel abroad to join ISIS.  For example, RAISHANI indicated that he had been in contact with other ISIS supporters and no longer felt comfortable in the United States.  He also showed UC-1 a video that appeared to depict ISIS supporters discussing their desire to travel overseas to join ISIS and its ongoing fight.  RAISHANI further showed the CS and UC-1 an ISIS video that appeared to depict ISIS members in Yemen killing civilians who did not support ISIS.    

In addition, RAISHANI advised the CS and UC-1 as to how they could avoid detection by law enforcement.  For example, RAISHANI advised the CS to cover the camera on the CS’s computer and turn off the computer’s microphone when watching pro-ISIS videos online.  RAISHANI also advised the CS to use a particular Internet browser (the “Browser”) to hide their online activity, and explained that he used the Browser to watch ISIS and jihadi videos online.  Furthermore, RAISHANI himself put on gloves when using a laptop and viewing pro-ISIS and pro-jihadi videos online.  Moreover, RAISHANI conveyed to UC-1 that if they traveled together to join ISIS, RAISHANI, a home health aide, could pose as a nurse and UC-1 could pose as a refugee aid worker, in order to cross international borders without being stopped and questioned by authorities.  Finally, RAISHANI told the CS and UC-1 that he (RAISHANI) had to be careful because he believed that federal authorities were monitoring his activities.

By April 2017, RAISHANI was actively planning to travel abroad to join ISIS.  The CS told RAISHANI that, through a family acquaintance, the CS might be able to obtain contact information for an ISIS affiliate capable of facilitating travel to join ISIS.  In reality, the purported facilitator was an FBI employee acting in an undercover capacity (“UC-2”).  In May 2017, RAISHANI contacted UC-2 and indicated that he had previously helped another individual travel to join ISIS.  RAISHANI further told UC-2 that he was seeking guidance for his own “hijrah,” an Arabic term normally used to refer to migration, but which is also used by ISIS supporters to refer to traveling overseas to join ISIS and engage in jihad.  In subsequent conversations with the CS, UC-1, and/or UC-2, RAISHANI stated that he aspired to travel to Syria to join ISIS and that he aimed to travel before the end of Ramadan, an Islamic holy month that runs from approximately May 26 through June 24 this year.  He indicated that he would be in contact with UC-2 about his travel.  RAISHANI also stated that if he was arrested he will not care, because Allah would know that he tried.

In June 2017, RAISHANI told the CS that he was making preparations to leave, including paying off his remaining debts.  Subsequently, RAISHANI and UC-1 purchased clothing that they intended to wear for their training with ISIS.  Earlier this week, RAISHANI revealed to UC-2 his (RAISHANI’s) intention to meet an ISIS member in Turkey in the next few days, who would facilitate RAISHANI’s joining the terrorist organization in Syria.  RAISHANI also purchased an airline ticket for a flight scheduled to depart on June 21, 2017, from JFK Airport to Istanbul, Turkey, via Lisbon, Portugal.  On June 21, 2017, RAISHANI traveled to JFK Airport, where he was arrested by the FBI after he attempted to board that flight to Lisbon.              

RAISHANI, 30, of the Bronx, is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD, and the NYPD’s Intelligence Division.  Mr. Kim also thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, as well as the New York Office of U. S. Customs and Border Protection.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.                    

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below are only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

[2] Communications and conversations discussed herein are described in substance and in part.

Two Sex Money Murder Gang Members Convicted In Connection With Murder Of Rival Gang Member

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a federal jury late yesterday found COREY BROWN guilty of murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, and firearms charges, and found JOSNEL RODRIGUEZ guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.   

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As a unanimous jury found after trial, Corey Brown ordered the murder of Vincent Davis, a rival gang member, and Josnel Rodriguez participated in that murder. Sex Money Murder has terrorized residents of the Bronx with years of drug dealing, gang violence, and murder. This prosecution ensures that Brown and Rodriguez will no longer be able to do so. We will continue to be relentless in working to make our communities safer by investigating and prosecuting gang violence.”   

According to the allegations in the Indictment and the evidence presented in court during the trial:

Between 2011 and 2016, BROWN and RODRIGUEZ were members of Sex Money Murder, a gang that operates mainly in and around several housing developments in the Bronx, New York. Sex Money Murder (“SMM”) members enriched themselves by selling drugs, such as crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and engaged in acts of violence, including murder.  BROWN, who was a leader of Sex Money Murder, ordered the murder of fellow gang member Vincent Davis.  On or about July 15, 2012, JOSNEL RODRIGUEZ and another SMM member participated in the murder of Vincent Davis, in the vicinity of 566 Pugsley Avenue, Bronx, New York, in order to maintain, and increase, their standing within SMM. 

Mr. Kim thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department for their work on the investigation.