Leader Of Newburgh Street Gang “Southside” Charged With Murder And Firearms Offenses

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging ARDAE HINES, a/k/a “Young Money,” a/k/a “YM,” a leader of a street and drug gang known as “Southside” in the City of Newburgh, New York, with the August 2016 murder of Deandric Little.  HINES is currently in federal custody serving a 2019 sentence for racketeering and narcotics conspiracy, and was presented in White Plains federal court today. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel.

U.S. Attorney Williams said: “Ardae Hines, a leader of the violent street gang, ‘Southside,’ is alleged to have engaged in and promoted violence in furtherance of Southside’s activities, including directing a fellow gang member to commit murder. We thank our FBI partners for their continued efforts in eliminating gang violence, which affects everyone in communities where it exists, victimizing innocent New Yorkers by instilling fear and apprehension in many going about their daily lives.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said:  "Levels of criminal street gang activity in Newburgh, NY remain high, similar to other areas in this country recently. Unfortunately, shootings, drugs, and murders have become all too familiar for the community, which has been battling the rise in violence for years. We work daily with our partners at the Newburgh City Police Department and other members of the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, to ensure those responsible for the violence face justice.”

As alleged in the Indictment filed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

From at least 2014 through June 2017, the Southside Gang was a criminal enterprise centered in and around the intersection of South Street and Chambers Street in an area of Newburgh known as the “Southside.” In order to gain funds for the gang, protect the gang’s territory, and promote the gang’s standing, members of Southside engaged in, among other things, narcotics trafficking, robbery, and acts involving murder.  To that end, Southside members sold heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana in the gang’s territory, promoted their gang affiliation on social media sites such as Facebook, possessed firearms, and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership.  As alleged in the Indictment, on or about August 1, 2016, ARDAE HINES argued with Deandric Little in Newburgh, and in the course of that argument, instructed another person (“CC-1”) to shoot and kill Little, which CC-1 did. 

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ARDAE HINES, 33, is charged with (1) murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, (2) murder in connection with a drug crime, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years in prison and maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and (3) murder through use of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The mandatory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the City of Newburgh Police Department.  Mr. Williams thanked the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for its invaluable ongoing assistance in the case.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Town of Newburgh Police Department, the New York State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for their assistance in the case. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Keenan, Jacqueline Kelly, and Samuel Raymond are in charge of the prosecution.