Three Defendants Convicted of Violent Kidnapping and Extortion Attempt in Astoria, Queens

A federal jury today in Brooklyn convicted Lesly Valentin, Aasim Boone, and Jarrett Bruce (also known as “Inf,” “Infinite,” and “Infamous”), of kidnapping conspiracy, transmission of interstate threats with intent to extort, and attempted obstruction of justice.  The verdict followed a three-week trial before United States District Judge Rachel P. Kovner.  When sentenced, the defendants face up to life in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“This was a heinous crime in which the defendants targeted a victim, abducted him from outside of his home, and subjected him to barbaric acts of torture and cruelty, all for financial gain,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Once their crimes were uncovered, the defendants tried to destroy evidence.  With today’s verdict, the defendants’ efforts to escape accountability have failed and they now face significant punishment.”

Mr. Nocella thanked the Joint Violent Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department, for their assistance with the investigation.

As proven at trial, Boone, Bruce, and Valentin conspired to kidnap the victim on December 9, 2022.  The victim was seized outside of his apartment complex in Astoria, Queens.  After forcing the victim at gunpoint into a vehicle, Boone, Bruce, and Valentin drove the victim to New Jersey, subjected him to escalating forms of torture, and held him for nearly five hours.  During the attack, Boone, Bruce, and Valentin beat the victim with a gun, poured bleach on him, burned his back and legs with a blowtorch, and sliced the victim’s ear with a knife.  The victim was finally released on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.  Several days after the kidnapping, Valentin sent text messages to the victim, threatening further harm to him and his family if he failed to provide his abductors $150,000 in cash and 50 pounds of marijuana. After their scheme was uncovered, defendant Boone attempted to destroy electronic evidence tying him to the commission of the crime.

The government’s case is being supervised by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Joshua B. Dugan, Lorena Michelen, and Andrew Wang are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Wesley Roberts.

The Defendants:

AASIM BOONE
Age: 42
Englewood, New Jersey

JARRETT BRUCE (also known as “Inf,” “Infinite,” and “Infamous”)
Age: 41
Englewood, New Jersey

LESLY VALENTIN
Age: 39
Asbury Park, New Jersey

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-292 (S-4) (RPK)