Guilty Pleas in Four Block Gang Indictment

ALBANY, NY—United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that on January 19, 2012, Curtis Perkins, 24, and Jose Serrano, 21, both of Schenectady, pled guilty to conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act before United States District Court Judge David N Hurd. They face up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced by Judge Hurd in Utica, New York on June 22, 2012.

Perkins and Serrano were indicted in May, 2011 with 17 others for the crime of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, which charged the defendants with being members and associates of a criminal organization in Schenectady, New York, known as the “Four Block Gang,” whose members and associates engaged in acts involving attempted murder, travel in interstate commerce in furtherance of racketeering activity, and drug trafficking. Thomas Caldwell, Shaquan Hayes, and Philip Moore have previously entered guilty pleas to this charge.

Charges are pending against the remaining 14 defendants and trial is scheduled for March 12, 2012 in Utica.

Contact:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Storch at (518) 431-0247
Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence Kelly at (518) 431-0247