Latin King Gang Member Pleads Guilty to the 2005 Murder of C.W. Post Student-Basketball Star

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Jamie Rivera, a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation street gang, pleaded guilty to the 2005 murder of C.W. Post student and basketball star, Tafare Berryman.  The guilty plea was entered before United States Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields.   

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Ray Donovan, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the guilty plea.

 “Nearly fourteen years ago, an innocent young man lost his life to senseless gang violence.  Like his family, we do not forget,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This case demonstrates our relentless pursuit of justice for the victims of gang violence and our determination to hold gang members accountable.”  Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the FBI, DEA and NCPD for their outstanding work on the case.

According to court filings and the facts presented at the plea proceeding, on April 2, 2005, Rivera and other Latin King gang members were present at La Mansion bar and nightclub, located on Long Beach Road in North Long Beach.  Also present were several C.W. Post students, including Tafare Berryman and some of his friends.  At least one altercation occurred in the club between gang members and a Post student, and later continued outside in the parking lot.

Berryman and a friend left the club and while walking to their car, the friend was hit in the head with a bottle, causing a laceration.  The two entered a car and drove away.  Shortly thereafter, Berryman’s friend pulled the car to the side of the road to tend to the bleeding cut on his head.  Rivera then drove up alongside and fatally shot Berryman once, believing that Berryman and his friend had been involved in the prior altercation in the parking lot.

When sentenced, Rivera faces a maximum term of life. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Lara Treinis Gatz and Mark E. Misorek are in charge of the prosecution.