Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of five Indictments charging 30 defendants with committing various narcotics and firearms offenses in Manhattan and the Bronx.   

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

United States v. Neury Abreu, et al., 19 Cr. 821

Between January 2016 and November 2019, NEURY ABREU, 26, ALEXANDER DEJESUS, 27, JOSHUA PEREZ, 27, ALEXANDER BAEZ, 46, IVAN BREA, 28, JOSE CRUZ, 22, LUIS ESPINAL, 30, and ANTHONY MELO, 19, conspired to sell 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, cocaine, Oxycodone, and marijuana.  Members of the conspiracy distributed narcotics in and around the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan.  

Between January 2016 and November 2019, ABREU, DEJESUS, and PEREZ used and carried firearms during and in relation to, and possessed firearms in furtherance of, the narcotics conspiracy charged in the Indictment.  PEREZ also possessed a firearm on or about July 8, 2019, and on or about July 11, 2019, after having previously been convicted of a felony.  

United States v. Alexander Melo, et al., 19 Cr. 818

Between April 2019 and November 2019, ALEXANDER MELO, 28, JAVIER JANIEL, 23, FRANMY LUNA, 24, and JUAN PERALTA, 25, conspired to sell 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, and cocaine.  Members of the conspiracy distributed narcotics in and around the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan.  

On or about October 9, 2018, MELO possessed a shotgun after having been convicted of a felony, and having had three convictions for three serious drug offenses, all of which were committed on occasions different from one another, in violation of the Armed Career Criminal Act. 

United States v. Mario Delgado, et al., 19 Cr. 817

Between October 2018 and November 2019, MARIO DELGADO, 32, DANIEL CUEVAS, 27, and EDWARD RODRIGUEZ, 30, conspired to sell 100 grams and more of Acetyl Fentanyl (which is an analogue of Fentanyl), Fentanyl, and Oxycodone.  Members of the conspiracy distributed narcotics in and around the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.  

United States v. Roberto Sanchez, et al., 19 Cr. 820

Between January 2019 and November 2019, ROBBERTO SANCHEZ, 41, and JULIO ABREU, 28, conspired to sell heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.  Members of the conspiracy distributed narcotics in and around the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.  

United States v. Alberto Marte, 19 Cr. 795

From at least in or about 2018 through in or about 2019, ALBERTO MARTE, a/k/a “Scotty,” a/k/a “Skylet,” 42, JUNIOR RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Skrilla,” 23, ERICK MELENCIANO, a/k/a “Gualey,” 26, NICHOLAS FALU, a/k/a “Nico,” 31, KEVIN ROSADO, a/k/a “Malda,” 26, GUERY CRUZ, a/k/a “Capo,” 24, JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Nathan,” 31, OMAR BAEZ, a/k/a “Smokey,” 23, SAMUEL SOSA, a/k/a “Sammy,” 21, YOAN DELACRUZ, a/k/a “Johan,” 29, RAYMER CASILLA, a/k/a “Ray Savage,” 23, KEVIN MELENDEZ, a/k/a “Freaky,” 26, and JOSE BAUTISTA, a/k/a “Nelo,” a/k/a “Echo,” 30, conspired to sell oxycodone and possessed firearms in furtherance of that conspiracy.

*                      *                      *

Thirteen of the 30 defendants were arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court.  Twelve of the 30 defendants, charged in connection with United States v. Alberto Marte, were arrested on November 13, 2019, and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.  JOSHUA PEREZ was already in federal custody and will be presented at a later date. 

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 FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force, and he thanked the New York City Department of Investigation for its assistance in the case. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Balsamello, Adam Hobson, Jacob Warren, Celia Cohen, and Dominick Gentile are in charge of the prosecutions.

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

 

United States v. Neury Abreu, et al., 19 Cr. 821

 



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Narcotics trafficking conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





NEURY ABREU,

ALEXANDER DEJESUS, JOSHUA PEREZ,

ALEXANDER BAEZ,

IVAN BREA,

JOSE CRUZ,

LUIS ESPINAL, and

ANTHONY MELO





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





2





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a narcotics trafficking crime

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





NEURY ABREU,

ALEXANDER DEJESUS, JOSHUA PEREZ

 

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison





3





Felon in possession of a firearm

 

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





JOSHUA PEREZ





10 years in prison





4





Felon in possession of a firearm

 

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)





JOSHUA PEREZ





10 years in prison



 

United States v. Alexander Melo, et al., 19 Cr. 818



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Narcotics trafficking conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





ALEXANDER MELO,

JAVIER JANIEL,

FRANMY LUNA, and

JUAN PERALTA,





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





2





Armed Career Criminal Act

 

18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(e)





ALEXANDER MELO

 

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison



 

United States v. Mario Delgado, et al., 19 Cr. 817



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Narcotics trafficking conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





MARIO DELGADO,

DANIEL CUEVAS, and EDWARD RODRIGUEZ





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison



 

United States v. Roberto Sanchez, et al., 19 Cr. 820



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Narcotics trafficking conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





ROBERTO SANCHEZ, and

JULIO ABREU





20 years in in prison

 



 

United States v. Alberto Marte, 19 Cr. 795



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Narcotics trafficking conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





ALBERTO MARTE,

JUNIOR RODRIGUEZ,

ERICK MELENCIANO,

NICHOLAS FALU,

KEVIN ROSADO,

GUERY CRUZ,

JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ,

OMAR BAEZ,

SAMUEL SOSA,

YOAN DELACRUZ,

RAYMER CASILLA,

KEVIN MELENDEZ,

JOSE BAUTISTA





20 years in prison

 





2





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a narcotics trafficking crime

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





 ALBERTO MARTE,

JUNIOR RODRIGUEZ,

ERICK MELENCIANO,

NICHOLAS FALU,

KEVIN ROSADO,

GUERY CRUZ,

JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ,

OMAR BAEZ,

SAMUEL SOSA,

YOAN DELACRUZ,

RAYMER CASILLA,

KEVIN MELENDEZ,

JOSE BAUTISTA





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison



 

 



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

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that one of the leaders of the violent Bronx gang known as “18 Park,” MARQUIS WRIGHT was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to 35 years in prison for firearms offenses in connection with two murders that he helped to commit on behalf of the gang.  WRIGHT, 30, had previously pled guilty to two counts of possessing and using firearms in connection with his role in the September 28, 2008, murder of Brandon Howard, 18, and the May 29, 2011, murder of Johnny Moore, 16.  WRIGHT’s co-defendant, Jonathan Rodriguez, who also participated in the murder of Brandon Howard, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2018. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “The tragic and senseless murders of Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore reflect the dangers of gang- and drug-related violence in our city.  While nothing can bring back Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore, Marquis Wright’s sentence means he will spend decades in prison and not pose a threat to others in the Bronx.  I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their tremendous work on this important investigation.” 

According to the allegations in court documents, including the Information and a previously filed criminal complaint, and statements made during court proceedings:

From 2006 to 2016, the 18 Park gang operated primarily in and around the Patterson Houses, a New York City public housing development in the Mott Haven area of the Bronx.  Members of 18 Park sold crack cocaine and marijuana on a near-daily basis, turning the area in and around the Patterson Houses into an open-air drug market.  18 Park members used firearms and violence to assert the gang’s control over the area.  WRIGHT served as one of the leaders of 18 Park, and played an integral role in running the gang’s drug trade.  

On September 28, 2008, WRIGHT accompanied Rodriguez to a house party at 315 East 143rd Street in order to confront 18-year-old Brandon Howard, whom WRIGHT and Rodriguez regarded as a rival.  Rodriguez brought a gun to the party.  Upon arriving at the party, WRIGHT served as a lookout for Rodriguez as Rodriguez confronted Howard in the hallway immediately outside the party and shot Howard to death.   

On May 29, 2011, WRIGHT drove another 18 Park member, Wali Burgos, to the vicinity of 2625 Third Avenue so that Burgos could shoot and kill a member of a rival gang.  Burgos did not shoot a rival gang member, but instead fired his gun into a crowd and killed 16-year-old Johnny Moore.  After the shooting, WRIGHT drove Burgos away from the scene of the crime.  Burgos previously pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Johnny Moore.  On January 13, 2017, Burgos was sentenced to 262 months in prison. 

Mr. Berman thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York City Police Department for their work in this investigation.            

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Nicholas, Jordan Estes, Dina McLeod, and Samson Enzer are in charge of the prosecution.

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that two leaders of the violent Bronx gang known as “18 Park” pled guilty yesterday before the U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to firearms offenses in connection with murders and racketeering offenses that they engaged in on behalf of the gang. MARQUIS WRIGHT pled guilty to two counts of possessing and using firearms, including in connection with WRIGHT’s role in the September 28, 2008, murder of Brandon Howard, 18, and the May 29, 2011, murder of Johnny Moore, 16. JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ pled guilty on August 10, 2017, to two counts of possessing and using firearms, including in connection with RODRIGUEZ’s role in the murder of Brandon Howard. RODRIGUEZ and WRIGHT are scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Engelmayer on December 12 and December 14, 2017, respectively.

 

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said: “For years, the 18 Park gang wreaked havoc in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, forcing law-abiding neighborhood residents to endure regular gunfire, drug dealing, and violent assaults. 18 Park’s pattern of violence culminated in the murders of Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore, two young men whose families were devastated by their loss. We want to thank our law enforcement partners, who have relentlessly pursued justice for Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore, and who have brought 18 Park’s reign of terror to an end.”

 

According to the allegations in court documents, including the Information and a previously filed criminal complaint, and statements made during court proceedings:

 

From 2006 to 2016, the 18 Park gang operated primarily in and around the Patterson Houses, a New York City public housing development in the Mott Haven area of the Bronx. Members of 18 Park sold crack cocaine and marijuana on a near-daily basis, turning the area in and around the Patterson Houses into an open-air drug market. 18 Park members used firearms and violence to assert the gang’s control over the area. Both WRIGHT and RODRIGUEZ served as leaders of 18 Park, and were integral to the success of its drug trade.

On September 28, 2008, RODRIGUEZ confronted 18-year-old Brandon Howard in the hallway immediately outside a house party at 315 East 143rd Street, and shot him to death. WRIGHT accompanied RODRIGUEZ to the party and aided and abetted his commission of the murder.

On May 29, 2011, Marquis WRIGHT drove another 18 Park member, Wali Burgos, to the vicinity of 2625 Third Avenue so that Burgos could shoot and kill a member of a rival gang. Burgos did not shoot a rival gang member, but instead fired his gun into a crowd and killed 16-year-old Johnny Moore. After the shooting, WRIGHT drove Burgos away from the scene of the crime. Burgos previously pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Johnny Moore. On January 13, 2017, Burgos was sentenced to 262 months in prison.

WRIGHT, 29, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years, and RODRIGUEZ, 28, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years. With the guilty pleas of WRIGHT and RODRIGUEZ, 25 members of 18 Park have now been convicted by this Office of racketeering, firearms, and narcotics offenses.

 

Mr. Kim thanked the ATF, the DEA, and the NYPD for their work in this three-year investigation.

 

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Nicholas, Jordan Estes, and Samson Enzer are in charge of the prosecution.