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”), Dermot F. Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), John B. Devito, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), and Geraldine Hart, the Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department (“SCPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 17 defendants with committing various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses in Manhattan and the Bronx.  Ten of the defendants were arrested today and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses in Manhattan federal court.  Three of the defendants are already in state custody and will be presented at a later date.  Four defendants remain at large.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:   “As alleged in the indictment, the defendants in this case include high-ranking members of a violent set of the Latin Kings gang.  They are alleged to have engaged in acts of violence, robberies, narcotics trafficking, and the use of firearms.  Thanks to the efforts of our partners at the FBI, NYPD, ATF, and SCPD, the defendants now face federal charges for these very serious crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Rounding up these alleged gang members is more than just removing violent criminals from the streets they believe they control.  They’re pushing and selling drugs that are killing thousands of people each year in our country, adding to the epidemic tearing apart families and communities.  Our work today, and the work we will continue to do tomorrow on our FBI Metro Safe Streets Gang Task Force, is vital to combating the spread of these drugs, and crucial to saving people’s lives.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge John B. Devito said:  “The defendants are alleged to have conspired on, threatened and committed numerous acts of violence to influence and control their members and enforce the territorial boundaries of their illegal narcotics operations.  Thankfully through the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners this operation has been disrupted and dismantled.  We will stand with all of our local, state and federal partners to see that these violent gangs are eradicated from our communities.  I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”

SCPD Commissioner Geraldine Hart said:  “More than a dozen alleged violent gang members are now off the streets thanks to the collaborative efforts with our law enforcement partners.  As alleged, these criminals have zero consideration for the well-being of anyone, inside or outside their gang, distributing narcotics and possessing firearms in an attempt to instill fear in our communities.  We will continue to work together with our partner agencies to rid our communities of violent street gangs.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea said: "Targeting and dismantling gangs and crews, and preventing the violence so often associated with their illegal activities, continues to be among the highest priorities for the NYPD. We continue to relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and build the strongest possible cases to hold to account anyone who involves themselves in such behavior."

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

CARMELO VELEZ, a/k/a “Jugg,” CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Taz,” LUIS SEPULVEDA, a/k/a “Red,” ANGEL LOPEZ, a/k/a “SB,” CHRISTOPHER LUM, a/k/a “Un,” EMMANUEL BONAFE, a/k/a “Eazy,” CHRISTOPHER NELSON, a/k/a “Hype,” JOSIAH VELAZQUEZ, a/k/a “Siah,” ALBERTO BORGES, a/k/a “AB,” JUAN HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Goldo,” HEINNER SOLIS, a/k/a “Juelz,” EZEQUIEL OSPINA, a/k/a “Izzy,” RAIMUNDO NIEVES, a/k/a “Dobule-R,” DEESHUNTEE STEVENS, a/k/a “Kay,” HECTOR BONAPARTE, a/k/a “June,” and MICHAEL GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Wisdom,” are members and associates of a racketeering enterprise known as the “Black Mob,” which operates in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island.  The Black Mob is a set, or “tribe,” of the nationwide Latin Kings gang.  In order to enrich the enterprise, protect and expand its criminal operations, enforce discipline among its members, and retaliate against members of rival gangs, members and associates of the Black Mob committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, and crack; committed robberies; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.

VELEZ, 30, RODRIGUEZ, 34, SEPULVEDA, 27, LOPEZ, 34, LUM, 28, BONAFE, 27, NELSON, 28. VELAZQUEZ, 22, BORGES, 29, JUAN HERNANDEZ, 31, JESUS HERNANDEZ, 26, SOLIS, 25, and OSPINA, 23, are each charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison. 

Those 13 defendants, as well as NIEVES, 46, STEVENS, 46, BONAPARTE, 37, and GONZALEZ, 33, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute: (i) one kilogram and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin, (ii) 400 grams and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, (iii) 280 grams and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of crack cocaine, (iv) five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine, (v) oxycodone, (vi) alprazolam, and (vii) marijuana, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. 

All of the defendants except GONZALEZ are also each charged with possessing, carrying, and using firearms in relation to, and in furtherance of, the narcotics conspiracy, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five 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 defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, NYPD, ATF, and SCPD.  Mr. Berman also thanked the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for its assistance in the case.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hobson and Elinor Tarlow are in charge of the prosecutions.

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 Indictment constitutes 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, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Richard Conway, Chief of the Port Chester Police Department, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ, JOHNNY FERNANDEZ, JESUS GONZALEZ, JUAN HERNANDEZ, JUAN PABLO RENDON-INZUNZA, NICOLE MAISONET, GABRIEL ORTIZ, a/k/a “Bebe,” MARIA ROLON, EDGARDO RUIZ, a/k/a “Roro,” HECTOR SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Tito,” GILBERT TORRES, FABIOLA VEGA, and JOHN VIEIRA, a/k/a “John-John,” with firearms and narcotics offenses.  The defendants have been charged as a result of their membership and participation in a transnational criminal organization that trafficked in firearms and narcotics, including heroin and methamphetamine.  Nine defendants were arrested or taken into federal custody on these charges today in various locations throughout the United States, namely Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.  ORTIZ, who is in custody on state charges in Rochester, New York, will be transferred to federal custody as soon as possible.  ROLON, GONZALEZ, and INZUNZA have not been arrested to date. 

Six of the defendants – CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ, JOHNNY FERNANDEZ, JUAN HERNANDEZ, GILBERT TORRES, FABIOLA VEGA, and JOHN VIEIRA – were arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith this afternoon in White Plains federal court.  Three other defendants –EDGARDO RUIZ, NICOLE MAISONET, and HECTOR SANCHEZ – will be presented today in federal courts in Maryland and Massachusetts. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants operated a nationwide drug distribution network to push heroin and methamphetamine onto U.S. streets.  Thanks to the dedicated work of the FBI and Port Chester Police, these defendants are behind bars and face significant prison time for their alleged crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The members of this criminal organization created a spider web of illegal drug sales, moving their drugs from south of the border and crisscrossing the states allegedly attempting covering their tracks.  These are the types of operations contributing to the deadly epidemic of overdoses in our country, indiscriminately killing people of all ages and races.  The FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and our law enforcement partners have created such a vital working relationship that we are having a significant impact in stopping the flow of illegal drugs at the source.” 

Port Chester Police Chief Richard Conway said:  “I'm very proud our Department’s role in this investigation, which is perhaps the largest scale operation we have ever undertaken. Today’s arrests represent an example to us all of what can be accomplished when agencies work together.”

According to the Indictment[1] unsealed today in White Plains federal court:

From 2017 to 2018, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ, JOHNNY FERNANDEZ, JESUS GONZALEZ, JUAN HERNANDEZ, JUAN PABLO RENDON-INZUNZA, NICOLE MAISONET, GABRIEL ORTIZ, MARIA ROLON, EDGARDO RUIZ, HECTOR SANCHEZ, GILBERT TORRES, FABIOLA VEGA, and JOHN VIEIRA participated in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  The criminal organization trafficked in both heroin and methamphetamine.  As part of the criminal organization, CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ and FABIOLA VEGA possessed firearms in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking and, together with co-defendants HERNANDEZ, RUIZ, and TORRES, participated in a conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license between 2017 and 2018.

*                *                *

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided in the attached table for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the Port Chester Police Department.  Mr. Berman also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Westchester County Police Department, and the Peekskill Police Department for their assistance in this investigation. 

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Olga Zverovich and Sam Adelsberg 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.                                                     

United States v. Cristian Fernandez, et al.



CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAXIMUM PENALTIES





Count One

Narcotics Conspiracy

 





CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ

JOHNNY FERNANDEZ

JESUS GONZALEZ

JUAN HERNANDEZ,

JUAN PABLO RENDON-INZUNZA

NICOLE MAISONET

GABRIEL ORTIZ, a/k/a “Bebe”

MARIA ROLON

EDGARDO RUIZ, a/k/a “Roro”

HECTOR SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Tito”

GILBERT TORRES

FABIOLA VEGA

JOHN VIEIRA a/k/a “John-John”





As to defendants CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ, GONZALEZ, INZUNZA, ORTIZ, RUIZ, SANCHEZ, VEGA:

Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison

 

As to defendants JOHNNY FERNANDEZ, HERNANDEZ, MAISONET, ROLON, TORRES, and VIEIRA:

40 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison

 





Count Two

Conspiracy to Deal in Firearms without a License

 





CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ

JUAN HERNANDEZ

EDGARDO RUIZ, a/k/a “Roro” GILBERT TORRES

FABIOLA VEGA





Five years in prison

 





Count Three

Firearms Offense





FABIOLA VEGA





Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison





Count Four

Firearms Offense





CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ

 





Life in prison with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison



 

 



[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.

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Darcel D. Clark, the Bronx County District Attorney, James O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), today announced the unsealing of two Indictments charging 49 members of two Bronx-based drug distribution organizations, with various narcotics, robbery, and firearms offenses, including the murder of Jose Morales on December 11, 2016.

Fifteen defendants associated with a drug distribution organization operating primarily on East 175th Street and Monroe Avenue in the Bronx are charged in United States v. James Felton, et al., which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley.  The defendants taken into federal custody today were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses and Henry B. Pitman.  Three defendants, JAMES FELTON, JAMES DIAZ, and ANDRE FELTON, are currently incarcerated in federal custody on related charges and will be arraigned on the Indictment before Judge Pauley on March 23, 2017.

Thirty-four defendants associated with a drug distribution organization operating primarily on Weeks Avenue and East 176th Street in the Bronx are charged in United States v. Edwin Romero, et al., which has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska.  The defendants taken into federal custody today were presented before Magistrate Judges Barbara C. Moses and Henry B. Pitman. 

Manhattan Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Dozens of alleged members of two drug distribution organizations have been charged with peddling potentially lethal drugs.  Many are also charged with committing violent crimes, including four who allegedly murdered Jose Morales in furtherance of their drug business.  All New Yorkers are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes, free from the devastating effects of drugs and the violence that can accompany drug trafficking.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to work to return the neighborhoods of the Bronx to the law-abiding people who live in them.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said:  “This case crystallizes how drug dealing’s attendant violence devastates our neighborhoods.  These two organizations held the Mount Hope area in a vise grip of numerous street shootings, including at least one murder.  In our fight against heroin and other drugs, we must always remain focused on the community residents who are victimized by these vicious traffickers.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Today’s arrests are the latest example of drug dealing that led to violence, including armed robberies and a murder in the Bronx, as alleged.  This type of precision policing is leading to further reductions in crime beyond last year’s all-time low. Many thanks to the detectives, agents, and the prosecutors in the Southern District we so often work with and whose diligence resulted in the leveling of these serious drug trafficking charges today.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “Today the law enforcement community in New York struck a serious blow to violent drug distribution organizations that operate in our city.  Two such organizations allegedly flooded the community of Mount Hope in the Bronx with heroin, crack cocaine, fear and death.  This is yet another step in our efforts to bring peace and hope to our communities by removing the alleged leadership and rank-and-file members of these organizations, putting an end to their menacing criminal conduct.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division James J. Hunt said: “Guns, violence and turf wars plague neighborhoods that drug dealers have turned into battlefields.  Today, law enforcement has reclaimed the Mount Hope section of the Bronx by arresting dozens of alleged members of two drug trafficking organizations.  DEA Agents working with HSI, NYPD, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and the SDNY U.S. Attorney’s Office identified and dismantled these crews allegedly responsible for fueling drug addiction and drug-related violence.”                               

The Indictments[1] arise from a joint investigation by HSI, the DEA, and the NYPD into two violent drug trafficking organizations that operated in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx.  Members of these drug trafficking organizations sold crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and they possessed and used firearms to further their drug trafficking activities.

Count One of the Indictment in U.S. v. James Felton, et al., unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, charges JAMES FELTON, JAMES DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, EZEKIEL BURLEY, URIAH BROWN, BRADFORD CANNON, WILLIE REEVES, HAROLD FIELDS, ROBERT BRENT, DASHAUN MCDONALD, MATTHEW TORRES, TYRONE TURNER, KENDRICK MCCRAY, GINGER DIAZ, and JOSE SANDOVAL with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

Counts Two charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, and BURLEY with the murder of Jose Morales, which occurred on December 11, 2016, in the vicinity of East 175th Street and Weeks Avenue, in the course of a narcotics conspiracy.

Count Three charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, ANDRE FELTON, and BURLEY with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, resulting in the death of Jose Morales on December 11, 2016.

Count Four charges JAMES FELTON, DIAZ, and BURLEY with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, on dates other than December 11, 2016.

Count Five charges BROWN, CANNON, REEVES, FIELDS, BRENT, MCDONALD, TORRES, TURNER, MCCRAY, DIAZ, and SANDOVAL with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy.

Count One of the Indictment in U.S. v. Edwin Romero, et al., unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, charges EDWIN ROMERO, RAFAEL ROMERO, FRANCIS PALUZZI, LUIS GONZALEZ, ANIBAL GONZALEZ, CARLOS MOTA, ELIMANUEL DIAZ, PEDRO OLIVO, ADRIAN SANCHEZ, DARYL SIMON, JEFFREY FERNANDEZ, JUAN VALDEZ, WILLIE TUCKER, KASAN NOBLE, DAMIAN SAUNDERS, DANIEL JEFFERSON, DERECK JEFFERSON, WAYNE SCOTT, ERIC RIVERA, MICHAEL MARTINEZ, MAXAMILLION MERCADO, KAREEM SIMMONDS, ALEXANDER PENA, ANTHONY CLASE, CARLOS ACOSTA, CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, GABRIEL GONZALEZ, JESUS MATA, NANA OWUSU, ROBERTO RAMIREZ, WILPHER RODRIGUEZ, YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ, JESUS ABAD, and ANGEL GUANCE with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

Count Two charges EDWIN ROMERO, SANCHEZ, VALDEZ, TUCKER, and YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ with conspiring to commit robbery.

Count Three charges EDWIN ROMERO, RAFAEL ROMERO, FRANCIS PALUZZI, LUIS GONZALEZ, ANIBAL GONZALEZ, CARLOS MOTA, ELIMANUEL DIAZ, PEDRO OLIVO, ADRIAN SANCHEZ, DARYL SIMON, JEFFREY FERNANDEZ, JUAN VALDEZ, WILLIE TUCKER, KASAN NOBLE, DAMIAN SAUNDERS, DANIEL JEFFERSON, DERECK JEFFERSON, WAYNE SCOTT, ERIC RIVERA, MICHAEL MARTINEZ, KAREEM SIMMONDS, ALEXANDER PENA, ANTHONY CLASE, CARLOS ACOSTA, CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, GABRIEL GONZALEZ, JESUS MATA, NANA OWUSU, ROBERTO RAMIREZ, WILPHER RODRIGUEZ, YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ, JESUS ABAD, and ANGEL GUANCE with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy.

Count Four charges EDWIN ROMERO with using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

*                      *                     *

Charts containing the names, ages, residences, 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 respective judges.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, HSI, and DEA, and expressed gratitude for the coordinated efforts of the NYPD’s Detective Bureau, including the Bronx Violent Crime Squad, the 46th Precinct Detectives Squad, and the Bronx Homicide Task Force.  Mr. Kim also expressed gratitude to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this investigation. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Balsamello, Matthew Laroche, Anden Chow, and Michael Krouse, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hellman (cross-designated from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office) are in charge of the prosecution.

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

United States v. James Felton, et al., S2 17 Cr. 21 (WHP)

 



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Narcotics conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





JAMES FELTON

JAMES DIAZ

ANDRE FELTON

EZEKIEL BURLEY

URIAH BROWN

BRADFORD CANNON

WILLIE REEVES

HAROLD FIELDS

ROBERT BRENT

DASHAUN MCDONALD

MATTHEW TORRES

TYRONE TURNER

KENDRICK MCCRAY

GINGER DIAZ

JOSE SANDOVAL

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





2





Murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 848(e)(1)(A); 18 U.S.C. § 2





JAMES FELTON

JAMES DIAZ

ANDRE FELTON

EZEKIEL BURLEY

 





Life in prison or death

 

Mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison

 





3





Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms, causing death

 

18 U.S.C. §§ 924(j)(1) and 2

 





JAMES FELTON

JAMES DIAZ

ANDRE FELTON

EZEKIEL BURLEY





Life in prison or death





4





Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms

 

18 U.S.C.

§§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), 924(c)(1)(C)(i), and 2





JAMES FELTON

JAMES DIAZ

EZEKIEL BURLEY





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for DIAZ and BURLEY

 

Mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison for JAMES FELTON

 





5





Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms

 

18 U.S.C.

§§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), 2





URIAH BROWN

BRADFORD CANNON

WILLIE REEVES

HAROLD FIELDS

ROBERT BRENT

DASHAUN MCDONALD

MATTHEW TORRES

TYRONE TURNER

KENDRICK MCCRAY

GINGER DIAZ

JOSE SANDOVAL





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison



 

 



DEFENDANT





AGE





RESIDENCE





JAMES FELTON





47





Bronx, New York





JAMES DIAZ,

a/k/a “Chunky”





24





Bronx, New York





ANDRE FELTON,

a/k/a “Dre”





39





Mount Vernon, New York





EZEKIEL BURLEY,

a/k/a “Ezekiel McCall”

a/k/a “Zeke”

a/k/a “Ziggy”





23





Bronx, New York





URIAH BROWN,

a/k/a “Scooter”





42





Bronx, New York





BRADFORD CANNON,

a/k/a “Brad”





46





Bronx, New York





WILLIE REEVES,

a/k/a “Willie Reed”

a/k/a “Willow”





30





Bronx, New York





HAROLD FIELDS,

a/k/a “Howie”

a/k/a “HD”





38





Bronx, New York





ROBERT BRENT,

a/k/a “Ready”





45





Brooklyn, New York





DASHAUN MCDONALD,

a/k/a “Dayday”





27





Bronx, New York





MATTHEW TORRES,

a/k/a “Mac Mittens”

a/k/a “Green Eyes”





33





Bronx, New York





TYRONE TURNER,

a/k/a “Skrap”





32





Bronx, New York





KENDRICK MCCRAY,

a/k/a “Kenny”





43





Bronx, New York





GINGER DIAZ,

a/k/a “George”





30





Bronx, New York





JOSE SANDOVAL,

a/k/a “Shorty”





41





Bronx, New York



 

 

United States v. Edwin Romero, et al., S1 17 Cr. 123 (LAP)

 



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Narcotics conspiracy

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





EDWIN ROMERO

RAFAEL ROMERO

FRANCIS PALUZZI

LUIS GONZALEZ

ANIBAL GONZALEZ

CARLOS MOTA

ELIMANUEL DIAZ

PEDRO OLIVO

ADRIAN SANCHEZ

DARYL SIMON

JEFFREY FERNANDEZ

JUAN VALDEZ

WILLIE TUCKER

KASAN NOBLE

DAMIAN SAUNDERS

DANIEL JEFFERSON

DERECK JEFFERSON

WAYNE SCOTT

ERIC RIVERA

MICHAEL MARTINEZ

MAXAMILLION  MERCADO

KAREEM SIMMONDS

ALEXANDER PENA

ANTHONY CLASE

CARLOS ACOSTA

CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ

GABRIEL GONZALEZ

JESUS MATA

NANA OWUSU

ROBERTO RAMIREZ

WILPHER RODRIGUEZ

YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ

JESUS ABAD

ANGEL GUANCE

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





2





Robbery conspiracy

 

18 U.S.C. § 1951





EDWIN ROMERO

ADRIAN SANCHEZ

JUAN VALDEZ

WILLIE TUCKER

YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ

 





20 years in prison

 





3





Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms

 

18 U.S.C.

§§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), 2





EDWIN ROMERO

RAFAEL ROMERO

FRANCIS PALUZZI

LUIS GONZALEZ

ANIBAL GONZALEZ

CARLOS MOTA

ELIMANUEL DIAZ

PEDRO OLIVO

ADRIAN SANCHEZ

DARYL SIMON

JEFFREY FERNANDEZ

JUAN VALDEZ

WILLIE TUCKER

KASAN NOBLE

DAMIAN SAUNDERS

DANIEL JEFFERSON

DERECK JEFFERSON

WAYNE SCOTT

ERIC RIVERA

MICHAEL MARTINEZ

KAREEM SIMMONDS

ALEXANDER PENA

ANTHONY CLASE

CARLOS ACOSTA

CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ

GABRIEL GONZALEZ

JESUS MATA

NANA OWUSU

ROBERTO RAMIREZ

WILPHER RODRIGUEZ

YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ

JESUS ABAD

ANGEL GUANCE

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





4





Using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging firearms

 

18 U.S.C.

§§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), (iii), 924(c)(1)(C)(i), and 2





EDWIN ROMERO





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison

 



 

 



DEFENDANT





AGE





RESIDENCE





EDWIN ROMERO,

a/k/a “Yones”

a/k/a “Yoni”





35





Bronx, New York





RAFAEL ROMERO,

a/k/a “Kodi”





34





Bronx, New York





FRANCIS PALUZZI,

a/k/a “Fetty”





27





Bronx, New York





LUIS GONZALEZ,

a/k/a “Tili”

a/k/a “Bori”





39





Bronx, New York





ANIBAL GONZALEZ,

a/k/a “Foli”





34





Bronx, New York





CARLOS MOTA,

a/k/a “Culebra”

a/k/a “Snake”





47





Bronx, New York





ELIMANUEL DIAZ,

a/k/a “Lima”





27





Bronx, New York





PEDRO OLIVO,

a/k/a “Pito”





24





Bronx, New York





ADRIAN SANCHEZ,

a/k/a “Pachi”





23





Bronx, New York





DARYL SIMON,

a/k/a “D-Money”





19





Bronx, New York





JEFFREY FERNANDEZ,

a/k/a “Jefe”





19





Bronx, New York





JUAN VALDEZ,

a/k/a “Sito”





21





Bronx, New York





WILLIE TUCKER,

a/k/a “Big Will”

a/k/a “BJ”

a/k/a “BG”





38





Bronx, New York





KASAN NOBLE,

a/k/a “Kay Kay”





40





Bronx, New York





DAMIAN SAUNDERS,

a/k/a “Floss”





37





Bronx, New York





DANIEL JEFFERSON,

a/k/a “Ace”





30





Bronx, New York





DERECK JEFFERSON,

a/k/a “Bang”





28





Bronx, New York





WAYNE SCOTT,

a/k/a “Punch”





37





Bronx, New York





ERIC RIVERA,

a/k/a “Chucky”

a/k/a “Chuck Dollarz”





24





Bronx, New York





MICHAEL MARTINEZ





26





Bronx, New York





MAXAMILLION MERCADO,

a/k/a “Bully”





24





Bronx, New York





KAREEM SIMMONDS,

a/k/a “Kareem Simmons”

a/k/a “Black”





40





Bronx, New York





ALEXANDER PENA,

a/k/a “Green Eyes”





20





Bronx, New York





ANTHONY CLASE,

a/k/a “Ant”





30





Bronx, New York





CARLOS ACOSTA,

a/k/a “Greg”





23





Bronx, New York





CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ,

a/k/a “Dread”





21





Bronx, New York





GABRIEL GONZALEZ,

a/k/a “Gabi”

a/k/a “Baldy”





40





Bronx, New York





JESUS MATA,

a/k/a “Junior”

a/k/a “Jay”





20





Bronx, New York





NANA OWUSU,

a/k/a “Africa”





19





Bronx, New York





ROBERTO RAMIREZ





29





Bronx, New York





WILPHER RODRIGUEZ





23





Bronx, New York





YAWILIS RODRIGUEZ,

a/k/a “Will”





22





Bronx, New York





JESUS ABAD,

a/k/a “Rojo”





26





Bronx, New York





ANGEL GUANCE,

a/k/a “Chico”

a/k/a “All In”





27





Bronx, New York



 

 

 



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