Defendants Face 30 and 24 Years in Prison

Identical twin brothers SAQUAN WALLACE and KAYWAN WALLACE, the leaders of a violent crack cocaine trafficking organization based in the Wyckoff Public Housing Development (“Wyckoff”) in downtown Brooklyn, pleaded guilty today to racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, assault in aid of racketeering, narcotics conspiracy, and conspiracy to maintain drug stash houses. In addition, SAQUAN WALLACE pled guilty to murdering Jabari Foster.

Under the terms of their plea agreements, SAQUAN and KAYWAN WALLACE face 30 and 24 years imprisonment, respectively. The guilty plea proceedings were held this afternoon before United States District Judge David G. Trager at the United States Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.

Since 2005, the DEA and the NYPD have been investigating narcotics trafficking and related widespread violence in Wyckoff. The investigation revealed that the defendants, together with their numerous associates, controlled much of the crack cocaine distribution in the development, and to further that activity committed multiple acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and assault. After their federal indictment in February 2006, the defendants became fugitives, relocating their narcotics distribution operation to southern New Jersey. They were apprehended by law enforcement following a nationwide manhunt.

“We and our partners in law enforcement are determined to rid our neighborhoods of violent drug organizations,” stated United States Attorney Benton J. Campbell. “Our message is clear and simple – engage in narcotics distribution and related violence in the Eastern District of New York and you can expect to spend a long time behind bars.” Mr. Campbell thanked the United States Marshals Service, the Lower Township, New Jersey Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police for their assistance with the investigation and apprehension of the defendants.

NYPD Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly stated, “Following an intensive investigation by the NYPD, the Wallace brothers temporarily relocated their reprehensible criminal activity out of Wyckoff Gardens. Their subsequent arrests and pleas ensure that their illicit and violent operation is permanently dismantled. The members of the NYPD Brooklyn South Narcotics Major Case Squad, Housing Bureau PSA 1, and 78th Precinct Detective Squad are to be commended for their work in shutting these drug traffickers down.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge John P. Gilbride stated, “The Wallace brothers’ organization epitomizes the relationship between violence and drug trafficking. To this end, law enforcement has succeeded in finally putting their operation out of business, and they are facing the consequences of their actions. Justice has been served with today’s pleas, and the Wallaces’ careers of terrorizing the Wyckoff Housing community have been ended.”

The government's case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Colleen Kavanagh, Moe Fodeman, and Matt Amatruda.

The Defendants:

SAQUAN WALLACE
Age: 22

KAYWAN WALLACE
Age: 22

---