10th Street Gang Member Sentenced for RICO Conspiracy

Buffalo, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that 10th Street Gang member Brandon Bobbitt, 25, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted of Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO), was sentenced to 210 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, who is handling the case, stated that on September 15, 2008, the defendant stole a car and gave it to 10th Street members who were looking to use it a drive-by shooting against rival 7th Street Gang members. The car was used in the drive-by shooting of Omar Fraticello-Lugo who was killed in the attack. Two other people and rival gang members were also injured during the incident.

In addition, between 2008 and 2010, Bobbitt also sold cocaine and crack cocaine as part of his participation in the activities of the 10th Street Gang.

The defendant is among 44 10th Street Gang members and associates charged in this case. A total of 38 have been convicted. Charges are pending against the six remaining defendants. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon.