Gang Member Convicted In Manhattan Federal Court For His Role In The Murder Of Jessica White

Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that STIVEN SIRI-REYNOSO was found guilty of the June 11, 2016, murder of Jessica White, who was killed by a stray bullet while watching her children play in the playground of the John Adams Houses in the Bronx, New York.  SIRI-REYNOSO was convicted after an eight-day trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman:  “On June 11, 2016, Jessica White did what so many parents love to do – she took her children to the playground.  There, she was killed before her children’s eyes, the victim of a stray bullet in a gang shooting.  Today, a jury in the Southern District of New York unanimously found that Stiven Siri-Reynoso gave the order for that shooting.  We recognize that this verdict cannot fill the gaping hole that Jessica’s death left in so many hearts.  But in the face of such tragedy, we, along with our law enforcement partners, maintain our commitment to ridding our neighborhoods and playgrounds of senseless gang violence.  That is what we accomplished today, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the FBI and NYPD.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and evidence at trial:

On June 11, 2016, Jessica White was struck and killed by a stray bullet while sitting on a bench watching her three children play on a playground at the John Adams Houses where she lived.  SIRI-REYNOSO, a member of the “Dominicans Don’t Play” or “DDP” street gang, was engaged in an ongoing gang dispute between the DDPs and the rival “Trinitarios” street gang involving, among other things, SIRI-REYNOSO’s drug sales near the John Adams Houses.  On the night of June 11, 2016, Trinitarios members tried to attack SIRI-REYNOSO.  In retaliation, SIRI-REYNOSO sent another individual to shoot at the Trinitarios.  One of the bullets fired by that individual struck and killed Jessica White.   

SIRI-REYNOSO also committed other crimes in connection with his membership in the DDP’s, including drug selling and robbery.

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SIRI-REYNOSO, 24, of the Bronx, was convicted of conspiring to commit racketeering, conspiring to sell narcotics, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder through the use of a firearm.  SIRI-REYNOSO is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30, 2018, before Judge McMahon.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew Skinner, Allison Nichols, and Frank Balsamello are in charge of the prosecution.