Witness Charged For Lying Under Oath At Trial

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton; the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Michael Alfonso; and the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging ASHANTI WASHINGTON, a/k/a “Shani Boni,” with perjury at a federal criminal trial and obstruction of justice.  These charges relate to WASHINGTON’s repeated false testimony at the March 2025 trial of United States v. Kevin Perez, in which Perez was on trial for racketeering and violent crimes.  WASHINGTON was arrested on the evening of June 24, 2025, and presented yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels.

“As alleged, Ashanti Washington swore an oath to tell the truth in federal court and repeatedly lied and attempted to obstruct a New York federal criminal trial,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Truth under oath is central to our system of justice.  Those who break this duty will face consequences.”

“As alleged, Washington’s false testimony under oath obstructed justice and undermined the integrity of our legal system,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso.  “Her deception led to her arrest, and she now faces federal charges.”

“As alleged, Ashanti Washington knowingly lied under oath to protect a violent gang member during a federal trial,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “This wasn’t just simple dishonesty—this was a calculated attack on the integrity of our judicial system.  I thank the NYPD investigators, HSI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work to hold accountable anyone who tries to obstruct justice.”

As alleged in the Indictment and public court filings:^[1]

On March 10, 2025, trial in the matter of United States v. Kevin Perez, 23 Cr. 99 (LJL), commenced in which Perez was tried on charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and possession, use, brandish, and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to the attempted murder in aid of racketeering.  On March 20, 2025, the jury returned guilty verdicts as to racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, and the firearm discharge count, and returned a not guilty verdict with respect to the murder. Perez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing currently scheduled for July 16, 2025.

On March 17 and 18, 2025, Washington testified at Perez’s trial as a witness during the defense case and repeatedly lied while under oath.  Washington’s false testimony concerned:

• Her denying knowing about or touching the gun Perez used in the charged murder,
• Her denying knowledge of a particular gang hand sign and a gang member’s membership in that gang,
• And her claim that the victim in the charged murder had verbally threatened her and Perez before Perez shot and killed the victim.

As alleged in the Indictment, these statements were false. Indeed, while WASHINGTON testified that she did not know about or touch the gun that Perez used in the charged murder, subsequent investigation revealed that WASHINGTON’s DNA was found on multiple parts of that gun.

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WASHINGTON, 23, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with three counts of perjury at a federal criminal trial, each of which carries a maximum term of five years in prison, and one count of obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the work of the Special Agents from the HSI Violent Gangs Task Force of the NYPD.  He added that the investigation is ongoing.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Herman, Patrick Moroney, and Ni Qian are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.