Combatting Gun and Gang-Related Violence

The Office, primarily through the work its Violent and Organized Crime Unit, focuses on prosecuting murders and dismantling gangs and violent drug crews. 

• Prosecution of Blood Hound Brims Leadership: In March 2019, following a five-week trial, the Office convicted the leaders of the Blood Hound Brims gang -- one of the most violent and fastest-growing factions of the Bloods street and prison gang -- that operated principally in New York City, upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and throughout the New York State prison system.  Three defendants – Latique Johnson a/k/a “La Brim,” Brandon Green a/k/a “Light,” a/k/a “Moneywell,” and Donnell Murray, a/k/a “Don P” – were convicted of committing racketeering conspiracy, narcotics and firearms offenses between 2005 and 2016.    Johnson and Murray were also found guilty of committing assault in aid of racketeering for a 2012 shooting at a fast food restaurant in the Bronx involving an AK-47 semiautomatic rifle.  Johnson was found guilty of attempted murder in aid of racketeering for ordering a 2012 shooting of rival gang members in the Bronx.  Latique Johnson was sentenced to 30 years in prison.  Donnell Murray is awaiting sentencing.  Ten other defendants pleaded guilty to serious crimes, including racketeering and firearms offenses, arising out the same investigation. 

• Double Murderer Convicted at Trial: In June 2019, the Violent and Organized Crime Unit convicted James Felton for two murders committed in the Bronx in 2016.  The evidence at trial established that Felton was a member of a drug-distribution organization operating in the Bronx.  On June 11, 2016, at the corner of East 175^th Street and Monroe Avenue in the Bronx, Felton shot Marvin Harris 13 times, killing him, after Harris insulted Felton and challenged Felton’s status within the drug territory.  Six months later, at the corner of East 175^th Street and Weeks Avenue, one block away from the scene of the Harris murder, Felton shot a rival drug dealer named Edwin Romero four times, then shot Jose Morales in the head, killing him.  Felton was also convicted of conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana and of related firearms offenses.  Felton was sentenced to life plus 75 years in prison.

• Prosecution of Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods Leadership: In 2018 and 2019, the Violent and Organized Crime Unit successfully prosecuted high-ranking members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, a violent gang responsible for shootings, drug dealing, robberies and numerous of acts of violence in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  The investigation and prosecution resulted in the conviction of 14 members and associates of Nine Trey, including a well-known hip-hop music artist, Daniel Hernandez, a/k/a “Tekashi 6ix 9ine.”  Hernandez, who pleaded guilty to racketeering, narcotics, and firearms-related offenses, testified in September 2019 at the trial of two high-ranking Nine Trey members, Aljermiah Mack, a/k/a “Nuke,” and Anthony Ellison, a/k/a “Harv.”  Mack and Ellison were convicted of racketeering conspiracy in connection with their Nine Trey activities.  Ellison was also found guilty of kidnapping, maiming, and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with his membership in Nine Trey.  Mack was found guilty of conspiring to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin related to his gang activities.  Both are awaiting sentencing.  Four other members of Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, including the leader of the gang, Jamel Jones, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” have been sentenced.  The remaining members and associates are awaiting sentencing after having pleaded guilty to serious crimes. 

• Bronx Mother’s Murderer Convicted at Trial: In July 2018, the Office successfully prosecuted Stiven Siri-Reynoso of the June 2016 murder of Jessica White, who was killed by a stray bullet while watching her children play on a Bronx playground.  Siri-Reynoso received a sentence of life plus five years in prison.