Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 18 members of the 59 Brims gang, including the gang’s leaders, with committing various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses, including murder and attempted murder. 

WILLIE EVANS, a/k/a “Mills,” JAMARR SIMMONS, a/k/a “Show Off,” ALBERT SHOULDERS, a/k/a “Bundy,” RANELL SLOAN, a/k/a “Rah,” DARNELL COOPER, a/k/a “Jeez,” JOSE RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Meso,” SYLVESTER WINT, a/k/a “Vesta,” YONETTE RESPASS, a/k/a “Yonette Davis,” a/k/a “Star Brim,” MARKELL BOBIAN, a/k/a “Kellz,” TIMOTHY COLEMAN, a/k/a “LA,” TYRONE ERVIN, a/k/a “Shoota,” SEAN GAMBRELL, a/k/a “Kash,” DARON GOODMAN, a/k/a “Handsome,” JAVARIS JENKINS, a/k/a “JayBz,” JERLAINE LITTLE, a/k/a “Noni,” SHAMARE REID, a/k/a “Sha,” MARKQUEL SIMMONS, a/k/a “Shellz,” and TYRIQUE SNOWDEN, a/k/a “Ty,” are members of a racketeering enterprise known as the 59 Brims.

The Indictment charges WILLIE EVANS, the gang’s godfather, or highest-ranking, non-incarcerated member, and JAMARR SIMMONS, the highest-ranking member in the Bronx, with the September 28, 2019, murder of Bradford Mensah, 22, in the vicinity of Crotona Park in the Bronx, New York.  JAMARR SIMMONS and DARON GOODMAN were previously charged with the January 11, 2020, murder of Jason Parris, 36, in the vicinity of East 170th Street and Webster Avenue in the Bronx, New York.  

In addition to EVANS and JAMARR SIMMONS, the Indictment also charges YONETTE RESPASS, the gang’s godmother, or highest-ranking female member, with participating in the racketeering conspiracy and with ordering a slashing.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the Indictment, the defendants were responsible for brutal acts of violence – murders, attempted murders, a maiming, and robberies – in service of the 59 Brims gang.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of our partners at the NYPD and HSI, the defendants, who include the leaders of the gang, now face federal charges for their crimes.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “Targeting and dismantling gangs and crews, and preventing the violence so often associated with their illegal activities, continues to be one of our highest priorities.  By using precision policing we are targeting the small percentage of people responsible for committing much of the violence in New York, and making the safest large city in America even safer.  I’d like to thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts in helping us achieve this goal.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “The list of allegations against those arrested today includes murder, attempted murder, narcotics violations, firearms offenses, and robbery.  The 59 Brims gang acts with no apparent regard for human life and today’s arrests hopefully put an end to their senseless violence.  As law enforcement, we build investigations to identify not only those who carry out monstrous acts, but also to get the leaders in the organization who facilitate the horrific crimes.  Today, due to the great investigative activity in this case, HSI and its partners are happy to announce that those allegedly responsible from the street level to the highest-ranking members of the 59 Brims gang are facing justice, ultimately making the community safer.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

On January 11, 2020, DARON GOODMAN and JAMARR SIMMONS shot and killed Jason Parris in the vicinity of 1441 Webster Avenue in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  GOODMAN and SIMMONS killed Parris in part to maintain and increase their positions in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On September 28, 2019, WILLIE EVANS and JAMARR SIMMONS shot and killed Bradford Mensah in the vicinity of Crotona Park in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  EVANS and SIMMONS killed Mensah in part to maintain and increase their positions in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On September 2, 2019, JAVARIS JENKINS shot at a rival gang member in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  JENKINS shot at the rival in part to maintain and increase his position in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On August 28, 2019, TYRIQUE SNOWDEN shot at an individual while attempting to rob the individual of narcotics and narcotics proceeds in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.

On August 24, 2019, SYLVESTER WINT and SHAMARE REID shot at rival gang members in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  WINT and REID shot at the rivals in part to maintain and increase their positions in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On August 8, 2019, JAMARR SIMMONS, ALBERT SHOULDERS, SYLVESTER WINT, YONETTE RESPASS, and SHAMARE REID maimed and assaulted an individual with a dangerous weapon, and aided and abetted the same, by slashing the individual in the face.  SIMMONS, SHOULDERS, WINT, RESPASS, and REID slashed the individual in part to maintain and increase their positions in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On August 1, 2019, JAVARIS JENKINS shot at rival gang members in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  JENKINS shot at the rival in part to maintain and increase his position in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On May 21, 2019, JAMARR SIMMONS, TYRONE ERVIN, and SEAN GAMBRELL robbed at gunpoint individuals who were playing a dice game, and shot at the individuals while robbing them, in the vicinity of Davidson Avenue in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  SIMMONS, ERVIN, and GAMBRELL robbed and shot at the individuals in part to maintain and increase their positions in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On March 30, 2019, JAMARR SIMMONS and TIMOTHY COLEMAN stabbed a rival gang member in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  SIMMONS and COLEMAN stabbed the individual in part to maintain and increase their positions in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On December 6, 2018, JERLAINE LITTLE and others pistol-whipped an individual while robbing the individual at gunpoint in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  LITTLE robbed the individual in part to maintain and increase her position in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

On November 29, 2018, JAMARR SIMMONS, MARKELL BOBIAN, TYRONE ERVIN, SEAN GAMBRELL, JERLAINE LITTLE, and MARKQUEL SIMMONS pistol-whipped an individual while robbing the individual at gunpoint in the Bronx, and aided and abetted the same.  JAMARR SIMMONS, BOBIAN, ERVIN, GAMBRELL, LITTLE, MARKQUEL SIMMONS robbed the individual in part to maintain and increase their positions in the 59 Brims racketeering enterprise operating in the Southern District of New York.

Between January 2019 and September 2019, SYLVESTER WINT made the unauthorized sale of multiple firearms that had been transported in interstate commerce, including at a location in the Bronx.

*                *                *

EVANS, 28, SHOULDERS, 23, RODRIGUEZ, 26, BOBIAN, 22, ERVIN, 19, GAMBRELL, 22, JENKINS, 22, LITTLE, 28, REID, 18, and MARKQUEL SIMMONS, 23, were arrested today and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses.  GOODMAN, 22, JAMARR SIMMONS, 33, and SNOWDEN, 20, were already in federal custody.  COLEMAN, 32, is in New York City custody and will be transferred to federal custody at a later date.  SLOAN, 27, COOPER, 28, and WINT, 21, have not been arrested and remain at large.  RESPASS, 28, has not been arrested at this time.  This case is assigned to United States District Judge George B. Daniels.

Charts containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD and HSI.  Mr. Berman also praised the New York City Department of Correction, Correction Intelligence Bureau, and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Longyear, Jacob Warren, and Adam S. Hobson are in charge of the prosecution.           

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



COUNT





DEFENDANT(S)





MAX. TERM OF IMPRISONMENT





Count One: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (18 U.S.C. § 1962(d))





All defendants





Life imprisonment as to all defendants except Respass and Coleman, for whom the maximum term of imprisonment is 20 years

 





Count Two:  Murder in Aid of Racketeering

(18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2)

 





Jamarr Simmons

Daron Goodman





Death or a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of Life Imprisonment





Count Three: Use of a Firearm to Commit Murder (18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1))

 





Jamarr Simmons

Daron Goodman





Death or Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 5 years





Count Four:  Murder in Aid of Racketeering

(18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2)

 





Willie Evans

Jamarr Simmons





Death or a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of Life Imprisonment





Count Five: Use of a Firearm to Commit Murder (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j)(1) and 2)

 





Willie Evans

Jamarr Simmons





Death or Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 5 years





Count Six: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)

 





Javaris Jenkins





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Seven: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) and 2)

 





Javaris Jenkins





Life imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years

 





Count Eight: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)

 





Sylvester Wint

Shamare Reid





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Nine: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) and 2)

 





Sylvester Wint

Shamare Reid





Life imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years

 





Count Ten: Maiming and Assault in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(2), (a)(3), and 2)





Jamarr Simmons

Albert Shoulders

Sylvester Wint

Yonette Respass

Shamare Reid

 





30 years’ imprisonment





Count Eleven: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)

 





Javaris Jenkins





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Twelve: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) and 2)

 





Javaris Jenkins





Life imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years

 





Count Thirteen: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)

 





Jamarr Simmons

Tyrone Ervin

Sean Gambrell





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Fourteen: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) and 2)

 





Jamarr Simmons

Tyrone Ervin

Sean Gambrell





Life imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years

 





Count Fifteen: Attempted Murder and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2)

 





Jamarr Simmons

Timothy Coleman





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Sixteen: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)

 





Jerlaine Little





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Seventeen: Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii) and 2)





Jerlaine Little





Life imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 7 years

 





Count Eighteen: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3) and 2)





Jamarr Simmons

Markell Bobian

Tyrone Ervin

Sean Gambrell

Jerlaine Little

Markquel Simmons

 





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Nineteen: Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and 2)





Jamarr Simmons

Markell Bobian

Tyrone Ervin

Sean Gambrell

Jerlaine Little

Markquel Simmons

 





Life imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 7 years





Count Twenty: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances (21 U.S.C. § 846)





Willie Evans

Jamarr Simmons

Albert Shoulders

Ranell Sloan

Darnell Cooper

Jose Rodriguez

Sylvester Wint

Markell Bobian

Tyrone Ervin

Sean Gambrell

Javaris Jenkins

Jerlaine Little

Shamare Reid

Markquel Simmons

Tyrique Snowden

 





Life imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years





Count Twenty One: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2)





Willie Evans

Jamarr Simmons

Albert Shoulders

Ranell Sloan

Darnell Cooper

Jose Rodriguez

Sylvester Wint

Markell Bobian

Tyrone Ervin

Sean Gambrell

Javaris Jenkins

Jerlaine Little

Shamare Reid

Markquel Simmons

Tyrique Snowden

 





Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 5 years





Count Twenty Two: Firearms Trafficking (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1)(A) and 2)

 





Sylvester Wint





5 years’ imprisonment





Count Twenty Three: Attempted Robbery (18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 2)

 





Tyrique Snowden





20 years’ imprisonment





Count Twenty-Four: Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, which Firearm was Discharged (18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) and 2

 





Tyrique Snowden





Life Imprisonment; Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 10 years



 

 



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

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Raymond Donovan, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging JOSE RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Hov,” a/k/a “Hov Goon,” with murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses in connection with the murder of Daquan Cooper on June 25, 2015, in the Bronx.  RODRIGUEZ was already in federal custody serving a sentence for other charges. RODRIGUEZ will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the indictment, Jose Rodriguez and others were responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Daquan Cooper in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx in 2015.  We commend the extraordinary efforts of our law enforcement partners to bring this defendant to justice.”           

HSI Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “Rodriguez allegedly ran with a gang whose calling card was violence and drug trafficking, and he is now charged with murder in aid of racketeering for his involvement in a 2015 homicide.  As alleged, he may have thought he was in the clear four years later, but strong law enforcement partnerships ensure that no one will get away with murder.  You commit a crime, you will be arrested and you will be prosecuted.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Raymond Donovan said:  “Too often we see murder as a byproduct of gang violence and drug trafficking.  This investigation is a result of combined law enforcement efforts to thwart violent crime and bring answers to victims’ families.” 

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Our obligation is not just to ensure that New Yorkers in every neighborhood are safe, but that they feel safe.  To that end, our work identifying and dismantling gangs and crews, and preventing the violence so often associated with their activities, continues to be of paramount importance.  I thank our NYPD investigators, and our law enforcement partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, HSI, and the DEA, for their dedication and vital work in this case.”

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

RODRIGUEZ was a member or associate of a racketeering enterprise known as the Beach Avenue Crew, a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in, among other things, murder, attempted murder, and narcotics trafficking. 

On June 25, 2015, RODRIGUEZ and others murdered Daquan Cooper in the vicinity of 1595 Unionport Road in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx.                

*                *                *

RODRIGUEZ, 27, from the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of murder through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of HSI, DEA, and the NYPD.  Mr. Berman added that the investigation is continuing.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Maurene Comey, Jacob Warren, and Andrew K. Chan are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment 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 Superseding Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.