13 Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Crack Cocaine Distribution

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Donald Halmy, Chief of the Peekskill Police Department, and Thomas Gleason, Commissioner of the Westchester County Police Department, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment and Complaint collectively charging 13 defendants with narcotics distribution offenses in and around Westchester County, New York.  The defendants, WENDELL JONES, JESSE DABBS, JASON BOGAN, BYRON MOUNTAIN, SARAH GILLON, DOROTHY MCALLISTER, a/k/a “Dot,” GUSTAVO GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Tavo,” KEVIN HERBIN, WILLIE SIMS, a/k/a “Black,” MAURICE ELLIS, ISAAC MALLORY, a/k/a “Face,” HAKIM ANDERSON, a/k/a “Hak,” and RAHMEL GARRAWAY, a/k/a “Major,” were presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants trafficked crack cocaine, an addicting and potentially deadly product that devastates communities throughout the Southern District of New York.  Thanks to the FBI, the Peekskill Police Department, and the Westchester County Police Department, the defendants are in custody and facing federal criminal charges.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Long before the opioid epidemic started in this country, crack cocaine was destroying lives.  It persists as a preferred drug for many of these violent groups to sell, which means our FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force is going after those dealers and their pushers.  I want to thank the local law enforcement agencies for the work they put into this investigation because their partnerships are vital to getting rid of the violence these criminals bring to these communities.”

Peekskill Police Chief Donald Halmy said:  “We have all seen the devastating effects that drugs have played in destroying individuals, families, and even communities.  We are committed to using every resource, from the local level to the federal level, to make sure that those responsible for this blight are apprehended and sentenced appropriately.  We commend all those involved who put in countless hours to help make Peekskill a better place to live today.”

Westchester County Police Commissioner Thomas Gleason said:  “The Westchester County Department of Public Safety remains committed to working with federal and local law enforcement to combat the distribution and sale of illegal narcotics in our county.  I am grateful to all of the law enforcement personnel and agencies that played a part in this successful investigation.”

As alleged in the Indictment and Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

From at least November 2018 until September 2019, WENDELL JONES, JESSE DABBS, JASON BOGAN, BYRON MOUNTAIN, SARAH GILLON, DOROTHY MCALLISTER, GUSTAVO GONZALEZ, and KEVIN HERBIN conspired to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine.  In addition, from at least March 2019 until September 2019, WILLIE SIMS, MAURICE ELLIS, ISAAC MALLORY, HAKIM ANDERSON, and RAHMEL GARRAWAY conspired to distribute 28 grams and more of crack cocaine. 

*                *                *

Conspiring to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  Conspiring to distribute 28 grams and more of crack cocaine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

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 the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the Peekskill Police Department, and the Westchester County Police Department.  The Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force comprises Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the FBI, US Probation, ATF, New York State Police, Westchester County PD, Westchester County DAs Office, NYPD, Yonkers PD, Mount Vernon PD, Peekskill PD, Greenburgh PD, and New Rochelle PD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jim Ligtenberg and Shiva Logarajah are in charge of the prosecution.

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

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the texts of the Indictment and Complaint and the descriptions of the Indictment and Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.