Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges 22 Members of Violent Yonkers Gang with Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Janice K. Fedarcyk, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charles Gardner, the Commissioner of the Yonkers Police Department, and George N. Longworth the Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, announced today the unsealing of three separate indictments charging a total of 22 defendants with a series of crimes, including the distribution of narcotics and the use of firearms in Yonkers, New York.

A two-count indictment, United States v. Mark David et al., charges 20 members and associates of the Strip Boyz street gang with conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, crack cocaine and marijuana, and the use of firearms in relation to that conspiracy. Two additional indictments charge two Yonkers residents with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine as well as substantive counts of distribution of, and possessing with intent to distribute, crack cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “Violent street gangs are a blight on our neighborhoods, and our crackdown against them continues unabated. We cannot and will not allow them to cast the shadow of guns and drugs over our streets and jeopardize the safety of our residents. Today’s arrests once again underscore our commitment to solving this problem. ”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk stated, “Violent gangs, such as the Strip Boyz, wreak havoc in our communities by selling narcotics, possessing weapons, and being in violent disputes with rival gangs. As alleged in the complaint today, the Strip Boyz were no different in their operating procedures, except that some of their members took to social media to brag about their illegal and often brutal activities. The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, is committed to investigating and getting gangs like the Strip Boyz off our streets.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner stated, “These indictments involving members of the Strip Boyz—a local drug distribution network, will remove several violent individuals from our community and improve the quality of life for the residents of this northwest Yonkers neighborhood. This investigation is a prime example of the value of joint federal and local law enforcement agency initiatives and how these collaborative efforts can make a difference in improving public safety. The Yonkers Police Department is very grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of NY and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force for partnering with us in addressing this violent criminal activity occurring in our city.”

Commissioner George N. Longworth of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety stated, “Gang activity and the crime and violence associated with it will not be tolerated in Westchester County. The Department of Public Safety is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to eradicate gang activity wherever it occurs.”

The following allegations are based on the Indictments unsealed today in White Plains federal court:

The Strip Boyz is a drug trafficking organization/gang whose members have, since at least 2001, sold crack cocaine and, to a lesser extent, marijuana, in and around the Schlobohm Housing Project on Schroeder Street in Yonkers, New York. Members and associates of the Strip Boyz worked together to ensure that they all profited from the gang’s drug sales. They also shared firearms and used them to protect their territory from encroachment by rival gangs. The Strip Boyz and members of other gangs from Locust Hill Avenue have been engaged in a long-running, violent dispute with other Yonkers street gangs, including the “Elm Street Wolves,” the “Cliff Street Gangsters,” and “Two Guns U” from Riverdale Avenue. Certain members of the Strip Boyz committed acts of violence, including beatings, stabbings, and shootings, to protect their drug territory. Certain members of the Strip Boyz also created, performed, recorded, and distributed—including on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube—rap music that celebrated their illegal activities.

Twenty members and associates of the Strip Boyz—MARK DAVID, 23; CALVIN BAILEY, 21; LAQUAY COKLEY, 20; JOSE CRUZ, 26; WAYNE CUSTIS, 21; MELVIN DIAS, 25; TREMAINE GARRISON, 21; DAIQUAN HENDERSON, 22; MICHAEL HENDERSON, 23; LEANELL HINES, 21; DAWONE HODGES, 28; ERIC LOCKHART, 28; DARRYL McFADDEN, 22; HARRY QUINTANA-CRUZ, 21; JOHN SLADE, 27; AKEEM SMITH, 21; PAU.S.INSON, 39; JOEL URENA, 24; JOSHUA VILIAN, 27; and GREGORY WILLIAMS, 26—are charged with conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, crack cocaine, and marijuana from 2001 up to June 2012. Twelve of these defendants are also charged with using, carrying, possessing, and discharging firearms during the narcotics conspiracy.

TYRONE HALL, 23, is charged with conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, crack cocaine in Yonkers from January 2012 up to June 2012, and with possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute the crack cocaine on several occasions during that time period. Finally, JONATHAN MILES, 23, is charged with possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute it in April 2012.

The indictments are the result of a long-term investigation conducted by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers working with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As part of that investigation, in March 2009, this office obtained indictments charging three members of the Elm Street Wolves—Gregory Fuller, Davon Young, and Thomas Chambliss—with the January 2008 murder of a narcotics dealer in northern Yonkers. Fuller, Young, and Chambliss were each convicted after trial of murder, conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, robbery, and firearms offenses and were sentenced to 100, 65, and 45 years of imprisonment, respectively.

In August 2011, 66 Yonkers gang members—47 members and associates of the Elm Street Wolves, 12 members and associates of the Cliff Street Gangsters, and 7 other individuals—were charged with narcotics trafficking and firearm offenses. Four of the Elm Street Wolves defendants were also charged with the murder of Christopher Cokley, a leading member of the Strip Boyz. Twenty of these defendants, including all 12 of the charged members and associates of the Cliff Street Gangsters, have pled guilty, and 15 of them face mandatory minimum sentences of between 10 and 17 years of imprisonment. The remaining cases are not yet resolved, and the charges against them are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Nineteen of the defendants charged in the indictments unsealed today were arrested today or have previously been taken into custody. Three others were still being sought as fugitives. The defendants arrested today and presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon. The Strip Boyz case is assigned to United States District Judge Edgardo Ramos. The charges against each defendant and the corresponding maximum potential penalties are outlined in the charts attached to this press release.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the Yonkers Police Department. He added that the investigation is continuing.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bauer and Ilan Graff are in charge of the prosecution.

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

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Charges 65 Yonkers Gang Members, Associates, and Others with Narcotics and Firearms Offenses

Three Defendants Also Charged with Murder of Rival Gang Member

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; JANICE K. FEDARCYK, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and EDMUND HARTNETT, Police Commissioner of the City of Yonkers, announced today the unsealing of five separate indictments charging a total of 65 defendants with a series of federal crimes, including murder, narcotics distribution, and firearms possession in Yonkers, New York. Fifty-nine of the defendants are members or associates of either the Elm Street Wolves or the Cliff Street Gangsters—two street-gangs based in Yonkers, New York.

U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA stated: “The federal charges unsealed today should make it crystal clear that if you join a gang or deal drugs or engage in violence in Yonkers, you are facing federal time now. Today’s actions do not reflect any new law enforcement commitment—rather, they reflect a longstanding and deeply held belief that every community in the Southern District of New York should be safe and free from the poison of drugs, gangs, and violence. We who police the streets and prosecute criminals have no more important duty.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK stated: “The Elm Street Wolves and Cliff Street Gangsters viciously defended their drug territories, at times aligning with each other against rival dealers, outsiders, and non-members. They retaliated against anyone who dared to encroach on their territory, and they brought murder, mayhem, and fear to our communities. We are committed to eliminating the criminal enterprises that peddle poison and arm their sales force with guns. Whether you live in Yonkers or Scarsdale, Mt. Vernon or Mt. Kisco, you have a right to safety and security in your neighborhood.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner EDMUND HARTNETT stated: “The issue of gangs and gang-related violence is not a local or regional matter. It’s a national problem. While law enforcement must continue its efforts in the area of gang prevention, joint investigations such as this which disrupt and dismantle gangs from top to bottom are a very effective tool. This case will have a positive impact on this neighborhood; an immediate visible and tangible result will be evident. On behalf of the Mayor and the people of the City of Yonkers, we extend our gratitude to the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and to the FBI New York Office for their support, cooperation, and collaboration in this investigation.”

According to the indictments unsealed today in White Plains federal court:

A 21-count indictment, United States v. Steven Knowles et. al., charges 47 members and associates of the Elm Street Wolves street gang with multiple counts related to the distribution of crack cocaine, as well as firearm offenses. The Elm Street Wolves are a drug trafficking organization whose members have sold crack cocaine in the vicinity of Elm and Oak streets in Yonkers, New York, since at least 2000. Members and associates of the Elm Street Wolves worked together to ensure that they profited from the gang’s crack sales. Members and associates of the Elm Street Wolves also shared firearms and used those firearms to protect the Wolves’ territory from encroachment by rivals, including the Strip Boys and GMF gangs.

Forty-seven members and associates of the Elm Street Wolves—STEVEN KNOWLES, MICHAEL ANDREWS, GLEN BASKET, JEROME BROOKS, ROBERT BRUCE, STANLEY BRUCE, MARCUS CHAMBERS, GERALD CHARLES, GERARD CHARLES, MICHAEL CLEMONS, QUEJUAN COLLINS, MICHAEL DENNIS, RAYVON DIAZ, JOSEPH DUQUESNE, JAMES EDMONSON, KYLE ELLISON, CHRISTOPHER GLIVENS, CHRISTOPHER GRANGER, DEXTER GRANGER, KAREEM GRANGER, RYAN GRANGER, DAQUAN GREENE, PAUL HARDY, JASON HARRIS, TYREE HUGHES, WILLIE JACKSON, MARK JONES, RASHAD MCNULTY, DONTE MELVIN, ANTHONY NORTHOVER, MARCUS ODOM, DOMINICK PALLANO, SHAWN PATTERSON, DONALD PEGUES, DEXTER PICKETT, MARQUISE PICKETT, BERNARD POTILLO, TRAVIS ROBINSON, MARCU.S.EPPERD, ERIC SMITH, SHARIF STEWART, JAMES SUMMERS, SAMUEL SUTTON, DEXTER THOMAS, RONNELL THOMAS, EDWARD WHITNEY, and ANDREW WILSON—are charged with conspiring to distribute crack cocaine from 2000 through August 2011. Forty-one of these defendants are also charged with using, carrying, possessing, and discharging firearms during the narcotics conspiracy. KNOWLES, one of the leaders of the Elm Street Wolves, and two other members, MICHAEL ANDREWS and DEXTER GRANGER, are also charged with the murder of Christopher Cokley, a member of a rival gang, on July 4, 2009.

A five-count indictment, United States v. Preston Hardy et al., charges 12 members and associates of the Cliff Street Gangsters with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana, as well as firearms offenses. The Cliff Street Gangsters are a drug trafficking organization whose members have sold crack cocaine and high-grade marijuana in the vicinity of Cliff Street in Yonkers, New York since at least 2005. Like the Elm Street Wolves, members and associates of the Cliff Street Gangsters sold narcotics and shared firearms to protect their territory from encroachment by rival gangs. Twelve members and associates of the Cliff Street Gangsters—PRESTON HARDY, JAMES GLOVER, MICHAEL GLOVER, TERRANCE GONZALEZ, JAMES HARDY, AUDAI HOWARD, JOSHUA JENKINS, TERRELL LUCAS, MIGUEL MARQUEZ, GENE THOMAS, SHAWN THOMAS, and BRANDON WILLIAMS—are charged with conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana from 2005 through August 2011. Eleven of these defendants are also charged with using, carrying, possessing and discharging firearms during the narcotics conspiracy. The Cliff Street Gangsters were aligned with the Elm Street Wolves in a long-running, violent dispute with members of the Strip Boys and GMF gangs. Certain members of the Elm Street Wolves and Cliff Street Gangsters committed acts of violence to protect their respective drug territory, including beatings, stabbings, and shootings.

Two additional indictments, United States v. Hector Valentine, et al., and United States v. Michael Jones, charge four Yonkers residents with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine as well as substantive counts of possession and distribution of crack cocaine. HECTOR VALENTINE, LEONARD BAMBERG and RONALD CHANCE are charged with conspiring to distribute crack cocaine in Yonkers from October 2010 through May 2011, and with possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute the crack. MICHAEL JONES is charged with conspiring to distribute crack cocaine in Yonkers from 2010 through May 2011 and with possessing crack with the intent to distribute.

A fifth indictment, United States v. Jonathan Harvey- Acquino, et al., charges two Yonkers residents with selling firearms. JONATHAN HARVEY-ACQUINO and BRANDEN JONES are charged with conspiring to distribute firearms and with selling two semiautomatic firearms in Yonkers from November 2010 through April 16, 2011.

Federal and local law enforcement officers executed court-authorized warrants today on 13 locations tied to many of the named defendants. During the arrests and searches, agents and officers seized a number of firearms, quantities of crack and marijuana, as well as cash from at least 11 individuals and locations.

Sixty-two of the 65 defendants charged in the indictments were arrested today or were previously in custody. The defendants arrested today are expected to be presented in White Plains federal court later this afternoon. A chart setting forth the charges in the indictments and the applicable penalties is below.

The Indictments are the result of a long-term investigation conducted by federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In March 2009, this office charged three members of the Elm Street Wolves—GREGORY FULLER, DAVON YOUNG, and THOMAS CHAMBLISS—with the January 2008 murder of a narcotics dealer in northern Yonkers. In January 2011, FULLER, YOUNG, and CHAMBLISS were each convicted after trial of murder, conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, robbery and firearms offenses. They are scheduled to be sentenced on September 29, 2011. In July 2011, LUZ RIVERA pled guilty to operating a stash apartment used by members of the Elm Street Wolves to package crack cocaine, and is awaiting sentencing.

This Office also charged DESHORN SHEALY, a member of the Cliff Street Gangsters, with conspiracy to distribute crack in October 2010. The case is pending.

Mr. BHARARA praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the Yonkers Police Department. He also thanked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the New York State Police, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the case. He added that the investigation is continuing.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys MICHAEL ENGLISH, ANDREW BAUER, and TELEMACHUS KASULIS are in charge of the prosecution.

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