Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JAMEL JONES, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” was sentenced to 135 months in prison in connection with his participation in the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods (“Nine Trey”) and the distribution of narcotics, including heroin and fentanyl.  JONES pled guilty on April 3, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Under Jamel Jones’s leadership, the Nine Trey gang acted with impunity to ensure their narcotics business remained intact, including shootings, assaults, and robberies.  Now, Jones faces more than a decade behind bars for his role and involvement in this violent gang.”

According to court documents and the evidence presented at the trial of JONES’ co-defendants:

Nine Trey was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in and around Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Members and associates of Nine Trey engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of Nine Trey, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of Nine Trey enriched themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, furanly fentanyl, MDMA, dibutylone, and marijuana.

The leadership structure of Nine Trey is divided into two parts: the Prison Lineup, which consists of incarcerated members, and the Street Lineup, which consists of members who are not incarcerated.  JONES was the Godfather of the Street Lineup.

JONES pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy for his participation in the Nine Trey enterprise and to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute ten grams and more of an analogue of fentanyl.

*                *                *

In addition to the prison term, JONES, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $10,000.   

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Longyear, Jacob Warren, Jonathan Rebold, and Sebastian Swett are in charge of the prosecution.

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMEL JONES, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to racketeering and narcotics offenses as part of his participation in the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods (“Nine Trey”).  U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer presided over the defendant’s guilty plea.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Today, Jamel Jones admitted in open court to his involvement in Nine Trey and distributing drugs for the gang.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and vigorously investigate and prosecute those who bring violence and drugs into our communities.”

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in open court:

Nine Trey was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in and around Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Members and associates of Nine Trey engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of Nine Trey, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of Nine Trey enriched themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, MDMA, dibutylone, and marijuana. 

*                *                *

JONES, 38, of Brooklyn, pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy for his involvement in Nine Trey, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.  JONES’S sentencing has been scheduled for July 17, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Engelmayer.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.           

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Longyear, Jacob Warren, Jonathan Rebold, and Sebastian Swett are in charge of the prosecution.

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, 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”), John B. Devito, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of a Superseding Indictment charging three additional individuals, ANTHONY ELLISON, a/k/a “Harv,” DENARD BUTLER, a/k/a “Drama,” and KINTEA MCKENZIE, a/k/a “Kooda B,” with racketeering and firearms offenses in connection with their membership in and association with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as “Nine Trey.”  A fourth defendant, KIFANO JORDAN, a/k/a “Shotti,” who was named in the original indictment, faces additional racketeering and firearms charges.

BUTLER was arrested yesterday.  ELLISON was already in custody on federal charges.  MCKENZIE is still at large.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the superseding indictment, the new defendants in this case, like those previously charged, engaged in brazen acts of gun violence.  Thanks to our remarkable partners at HSI, ATF, and the NYPD, these defendants now face federal charges for their serious crimes.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “Nine Trey has engaged in a pattern of racketeering reinforced by a reputation of extreme violence, best known for shootings, assaults and robberies in our city.  The new arrests in this case and the additional charges as part of this ongoing investigation should send a clear message to members of any gang that carry out acts of violence, that we are resolved in our joint efforts to promote a safe environment for our communities in New York City.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge John B. Devito said:  “Today’s charges demonstrate ATF’s and our law enforcement partners’ commitment to identify and investigate individuals that drive violent crime within our communities.  The members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as ‘Nine Trey,’ allegedly terrorized the public via a variety of crimes including violent armed robberies, assaults and shootings.  The ATF/ NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force will continue to work diligently with all of our partner agencies in order to best serve the community and protect the public.  I would like to personally thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their leadership and guidance throughout this investigation.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “In working to reduce crime past already record-lows in New York City, the NYPD is relentless in our pursuit of the relatively small percentage of the population driving the violence and disorder.  We are achieving this, with pinpoint accuracy, because of the full and willing partnership of New Yorkers in every neighborhood and the unrivaled assistance of our law-enforcement partners.  I commend the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, and the members of Homeland Security Investigations and the ATF, for helping us dismantle groups responsible for shootings, robberies, drug-dealing, and more.  Together, we are making the safest large city in America even safer.”

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

Nine Trey was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in and around Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Members and associates of Nine Trey engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of Nine Trey, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of Nine Trey enriched themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, MDMA, dibutylone, and marijuana.   

The Superseding Indictment charges JAMEL JONES, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” ROLAND MARTIN, a/k/a “Ro Murda,” KIFANO JORDAN, a/k/a “Shotti,” ANTHONY ELLISON, a/k/a “Harv,” DENARD BUTLER, a/k/a “Drama,” JESNEL BUTLER, a/k/a “Ish,” FUGUAN LOVICK, a/k/a “Fu Banga,” KINTEA MCKENZIE, a/k/a “Kooda B,” FAHEEM WALTER, a/k/a “Crippy,” and AARON YOUNG, a/k/a “Bat,” with racketeering and firearms offenses. 

Count One of the Superseding Indictment charges JONES, MARTIN, JORDAN, ELLISON, DENARD BUTLER, JESNEL BUTLER, WALTER, and YOUNG with participating in a racketeering conspiracy for their criminal involvement in Nine Trey.  Count Two charges JONES, MARTIN, JORDAN, ELLISON, DENARD BUTLER, JESNEL BUTLER, WALTER, and YOUNG with using and carrying firearms, which were brandished and discharged, in connection with the racketeering conspiracy.  Counts Three through Five charge MARTIN, JORDAN, DENARD BUTLER, JESNEL BUTLER, and WALTER in connection with a gunpoint robbery in the vicinity of West 40th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan on April 3, 2018.  Counts Six and Seven charge LOVICK in connection with his shooting at rivals of Nine Trey in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 21, 2018.  Counts Eight through Ten charge JORDAN and MCKENZIE in connection with a shooting at a rival of Nine Trey at a hotel in Times Square in Manhattan on June 2, 2018.  Counts Eleven and Twelve charge MARTIN, JORDAN, JESNEL BUTLER, and WALTER with agreeing to shoot an individual who had shown disrespect to Nine Trey, resulting in an innocent bystander being shot, in the vicinity of Fulton Street and Utica Avenue in Brooklyn on July 16, 2018.  Counts Thirteen through Fifteen charge ELLISON in connection with his kidnapping and assaulting another member of Nine Trey near the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn on July 22, 2018.  Count Sixteen charges JONES and YOUNG with conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, MDMA, and marijuana from 2015 to 2018.  Count Seventeen charges YOUNG with using and carrying firearm in connection with the narcotics conspiracy.  Count Eighteen charges JONES with possessing with intent to distribute one kilogram and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin on November 15, 2018. 

*                      *                     *

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 HSI, ATF, and the NYPD.  He also thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and the New York City Department of Correction’s Intelligence Bureau 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 Longyear, Jacob Warren, Jonathan Rebold, and Sebastian Swett are in charge of the prosecution.

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



COUNT





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Racketeering conspiracy

 

18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)





JAMEL JONES (age 38)

ROLAND MARTIN (age 37)

KIFANO JORDAN (age 36)

ANTHONY ELLISON (age 31)

DENARD BUTLER (age 26)

JESNEL BUTLER (age 36)

FAHEEM WALTER (age 29)

AARON YOUNG (age 28)

 

 

 





20 years in prison





2





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





JAMEL JONES

ROLAND MARTIN

KIFANO JORDAN

ANTHONY ELLISON

DENARD BUTLER

JESNEL BUTLER

FAHEEM WALTER

AARON YOUNG

 

 

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





3





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





ROLAND MARTIN

KIFANO JORDAN

DENARD BUTLER

JESNEL BUTLER

FAHEEM WALTER

 





20 years in prison

 

 





4





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





ROLAND MARTIN

KIFANO JORDAN

DENARD BUTLER

JESNEL BUTLER

FAHEEM WALTER

 





3 years in prison





5





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was brandished

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)

 





ROLAND MARTIN

KIFANO JORDAN

DENARD BUTLER

JESNEL BUTLER

FAHEEM WALTER

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison





6





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 21, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





FUGUAN LOVICK (age 40)





20 years in prison





7





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





FUGUAN LOVICK





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





8





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (June 2, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





KIFANO JORDAN

KINTEA MCKENZIE (age 21)





20 years in prison





9





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (June 2, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





KIFANO JORDAN

KINTEA MCKENZIE





3 years in prison





10





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





KIFANO JORDAN

KINTEA MCKENZIE





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





11





Violent crime in aid of racketeering

(July 16, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





ROLAND MARTIN

KIFANO JORDAN

JESNEL BUTLER

FAHEEM WALTER





10 years in prison





12





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





ROLAND MARTIN

KIFANO JORDAN

JESNEL BUTLER

FAHEEM WALTER





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





13





Violent crime in aid of racketeering

(July 22, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





ANTHONY ELLISON





Life in prison





14





Violent crime in aid of racketeering

(July 22, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





ANTHONY ELLISON





20 years in prison





15





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was brandished

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





ANTHONY ELLISON





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison





16





Conspiracy to distribute narcotics

 

21 U.S.C. § 846





JAMEL JONES

AARON YOUNG





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison

 





17





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

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





AARON YOUNG





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison





18





Possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute

 

21 U.S.C. § 841





JAMEL JONES





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison



 

 





[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.

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, 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”), Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging six members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as “Nine Trey,” with racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses.   

Five defendants were taken into custody last night and today; they will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman later today.  A sixth defendant is in state custody and will be transferred to federal custody.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.  

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:   “As alleged in the indictment, this gang, which included platinum-selling rap artist Tekashi 6ix 9ine, wreaked havoc on New York City, engaging in brazen acts of violence.  Showing reckless indifference to others’ safety, members of the gang were allegedly involved in robberies and shootings, including a shooting inside the crowded Barclay’s Center, and a shooting in which an innocent bystander was hit.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of HSI, ATF, and the NYPD, the defendants will now face justice in federal court.” 

HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said: “Members of Nine Trey, who wielded firearms and pushed highly addictive drugs onto New York City streets, allegedly showed an unprecedented level of violence this year, and for that they are now facing multiple charges, including an incident in which an innocent bystander was shot. This criminal enterprise has no business in our city, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that Nine Trey crew members, including the more well-known ‘Tekashi 6ix 9ine,’ are in a place where they cannot inflict further violence on our communities.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict said:  “ATF stands firmly at the frontline in the fight against violent crime. The individuals charged today with racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses are members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as ‘Nine Trey.’ The members and associates of this street gang engaged in violent robberies, assaults, and shootings.  The ATF/ NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force, with members from HSI, Federal Probation, NYS Parole and NYC Department of Correction, work tirelessly alongside their other law enforcement partners to rid the streets of individuals that spread violence and endanger their fellow citizens. I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting in the case.”

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

Nine Trey was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in and around Manhattan and Brooklyn.  Members and associates of Nine Trey engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of Nine Trey, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business.  Members and associates of Nine Trey enriched themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, furanly fentanyl, MDMA, dibutylone, and marijuana. 

The Indictment charges JAMEL JONES, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” KIFANO JORDAN, a/k/a “Shotti,” JENSEL BUTLER, a/k/a “Ish,” DANIEL HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Tekashi 6ix 9ine,” FUGUAN LOVICK, a/k/a “Fu Banga,” and FAHEEM WALTER, a/k/a “Crippy,” with racketeering and firearms offenses.  Count One of the Indictment charges JONES, JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with participating in a racketeering conspiracy for their criminal involvement in Nine Trey.  Count Two charges JONES, JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with using and carrying firearms, which were brandished and discharged, in connection with the racketeering conspiracy.  Counts Three through Five charge JONES, JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with participating in a gunpoint robbery in the vicinity of West 40th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan on or about April 3, 2018.  Counts Six and Seven charge LOVICK with shooting at rivals of Nine Trey in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on or about April 21, 2018.  Count Eight charges JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with agreeing to shoot an individual who had shown disrespect to Nine Trey, resulting in an innocent bystander being shot, in the vicinity of Fulton Street and Utica Avenue in Brooklyn on or about July 16, 2018. 

*                      *                     *

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 HSI, ATF, and the NYPD.  He also thanked the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Department of Correction’s Intelligence Bureau 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 Longyear, Jacob Warren, Jonathan Rebold, and Sebastian Swett 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





CHARGE





DEFENDANTS





MAX. PENALTIES





1





Racketeering conspiracy

 

18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)





JAMEL JONES (age 38)

KIFANO JORDAN (age 36)

JENSEL BUTLER (age 36)

DANIEL HERNANDEZ (age 22)

FAHEEM WALTER (age 29)

 

 

 

 





20 years in prison





2





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)





JAMEL JONES

KIFANO JORDAN

JENSEL BUTLER

DANIEL HERNANDEZ

FAHEEM WALTER

 

 

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison as to JONES; mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison as to the other defendants





3





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018)

 

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





KIFANO JORDAN

JENSEL BUTLER

DANIEL HERNANDEZ

FAHEEM WALTER

 





20 years in prison





4





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018)

 

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





KIFANO JORDAN

JENSEL BUTLER

DANIEL HERNANDEZ

FAHEEM WALTER

 





3 years in prison





5





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was brandished

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)

 





KIFANO JORDAN

JENSEL BUTLER

DANIEL HERNANDEZ

FAHEEM WALTER

 





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison





6





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 21, 2018)

 

18 U.S.C. § 1959





FUGUAN LOVICK (age 40)





20 years in prison





7





Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c )





FUGUAN LOVICK





Life in prison

 

Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison





8

 

 





Violent crime in aid of racketeering (July 16, 2018)





KIFANO JORDAN

JENSEL BUTLER

DANIEL HERNANDEZ

FAHEEM WALTER

 





3 years in prison



 



[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.