10th Street Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Edwin Rivera, 22, of Buffalo, New York, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, to Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) and RICO conspiracy. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, who is handling the case, stated that from 2004 to 2010, Rivera was a member of the

10th Street

gang, an enterprise engaged in racketeering activity. As a part of his involvement, Rivera and other associates of the gang sold marijuana, cocaine, and other controlled substances on the West Side of Buffalo, New York. On May 19, 2009, the defendant was shot in the head and neck area by a rival gang member, Anthony Colon. Thereafter, Rivera solicited other

10th Street

gang members to shoot and kill Colon by offering them money, jewelry, and other items of value. On June 26, 2009, Colon was shot and killed in Buffalo by a fellow

10th Street

gang member who sought payment from Rivera for committing the murder.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Christopher Cummings; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 20, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. EST, in Buffalo, N.Y., in front of Judge Arcara.