About Ernest Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 15, 2021

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Rape of Three Women

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Attacking the Victims in 2019 and 2020

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Canarsie man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping three women, in separate incidents, in his car after physically assaulting them, causing two victims to lose consciousness.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I am committed to seeking justice for all victims of sexual violence in Brooklyn. With today’s sentencing this defendant, who repeatedly preyed on vulnerable women and continued his violent behavior even after getting arrested, has now been held accountable for his actions. Our communities are safer now that this defendant has been taken off our streets.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ayindee Boyce, 25, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 18 years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo. The defendant, who pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree rape on February 17, 2021, must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 3, 2019, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant pulled up to a 21-year-old woman in East New York and asked her if she wanted to “chill.” After the victim got into his car he drove to Canarsie, where he asked the woman to get into the backseat of his car so he could look for something. He then offered her $20 for what she believed would be a sex act, and she told him it was not enough. When she tried to get out of the car, the defendant applied pressure to her neck and raped her. When she managed to open the car door, he slammed it shut and threatened to kill her. He then drove a short distance away and let her out of the car. She immediately reported the attack to police officers she spotted on the street. She was taken to a hospital and a sexual assault evidence collection kit was performed.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, on September 15, 2019, the defendant picked up a 24-year-old woman he met once before, drove her to a driveway in Canarsie, and told her to get in the backseat. He also got in the backseat, pushed her down and applied pressure to her neck and raped her. At one point the victim managed to escape through an open car door window and ran down the street, with the defendant chasing after her. He continued to strangle her and hit her on the head. The attack was interrupted by a Good Samaritan who called 911. Police responded and the victim was taken to a hospital where a sexual assault evidence collection kit was performed. On September 24, 2019, the defendant, whose name was known to the victim, was arrested by the police. He consented to give a DNA sample, which came back as a match for the August 3, 2019 incident.

Finally, early on September 14, 2020, while out on bail that he posted in June 2020, the defendant pulled up to a 26-year-old woman in East New York and offered her $100 for sex. The woman agreed and got in the car. After driving a short distance, the defendant demanded oral sex. When the victim asked for the money first, the defendant applied pressure to her neck, causing her to lose consciousness. He then raped her and repeatedly threatened to kill her. He then forced her out of the car and kept her purse. She called 911 and was taken to a hospital where a sexual assault evidence collection kit was performed. A DNA hit subsequently linked the defendant to the incident. He was arrested again on December 2, 2020 and remanded without bail.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Zebrowski, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 11, 2021

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him
With Sexually Assaulting Two Female Relatives

Defendant Was Extradited from Israel After Fleeing U.S. in 2010

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man who fled to Israel in 2010 to allegedly escape charges that he repeatedly sexually assaulted two young relatives has been returned to Brooklyn. He was arraigned today on an indictment in which he is charged with course of sexual conduct against a child, criminal sexual act and sexual abuse.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant tried to escape justice by fleeing our jurisdiction. Today’s arraignment on these serious charges is our first step to bringing him to justice for this alleged terrible betrayal of trust. There is no place in our society for this type of predatory behavior, and I am committed to prosecuting cases such as this despite lengthy extradition proceedings.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gershon Kranczer, 65, of Midwood, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dena Douglas on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, second-degree criminal sexual act and second-degree sexual abuse. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on March 22, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on multiple occasions from August 1996 to February 2003, in Midwood, Brooklyn, the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted a child from the time she was six years old to 13 years old. He allegedly sexually abused a second child between March 2001 and September 2002 when she was approximately 11 years old.

The defendant fled to Israel in November 2010 to allegedly escape prosecution. He was returned to New York today by the United States Marshals Service.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Detective Steve Litwin, formerly assigned to the Brooklyn Special Victims Squad and currently assigned to the Cold Case Squad.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Connie Solimeo, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief.

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An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Three Individuals Indicted for Asphyxiation Death of
Brooklyn Man in his Crown Heights Apartment

Victim Was Allegedly Killed During a Robbery by Female Acquaintance and Two Others

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a woman and two men have been arraigned on an indictment in which they are charged with murder, robbery and burglary for the asphyxiation death of Malcolm Holder.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Malcolm Holder was killed in his own home allegedly by a woman he trusted and her accomplices. This was an incredibly callous murder of an innocent man whose family and friends are devastated by his death. We will now seek to bring these defendants to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Amanda Sylvester, 35, Sean Idlet, 49, and Barber Byron, 61, all of Brooklyn. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice on an indictment in which they are charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first- and second-degree burglary. The defendants were ordered held without bail and to return to court on June 23, 2021. They face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 22, 2021, at approximately 4 a.m., the defendants allegedly attacked Malcom Holder, 46, in his Crown Heights apartment during a robbery. It is alleged that Sylvester was an acquaintance of the victim and that she and her boyfriend, Idlet, and another man, Byron, went to the apartment to rob the victim. After Mr. Holder let Sylvester into the apartment, it is alleged, the other two defendants forced their way in. They allegedly stole a cash box containing an unknown amount of money, a PlayStation console, a speaker and a cell phone.

The victim was found later that morning inside of his apartment by a home health aide. His hands and legs were tied with electrical cord and he was face down on the living room floor.
The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be asphyxiation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Lana Schlesinger and Daphney Gachette, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Driver Who Allegedly Blew a Red Light While Speeding, Seriously Injuring a Brooklyn Woman,
Indicted for Assault and Reckless Endangerment

Drove over 70 mph in a Residential Roadway and T-Boned Livery Cab;
Posted Videos Showing Reckless Driving in the Same Vehicle

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 22-year-old man has been indicted for assault, reckless endangerment and other charges for allegedly causing a car crash that seriously injured a Brooklyn mother of six. A dashboard camera captured the driver allegedly running a red light at a Bedford-Stuyvesant intersection and colliding with a livery cab that carried the 32-year-old victim.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant chose to drive his car in a highly dangerous and reckless manner, allegedly speeding and ignoring a traffic light, and caused a devastating crash that nearly killed a beloved mother. We believe this was not an aberration – videos he allegedly posted online show him driving the same vehicle in an extremely reckless fashion. We will not allow drivers to treat our roads like racetracks and act with complete disregard for the lives of others. Such behavior is criminal and will be prosecuted in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jalen Ryan Ortiz, 22, of Middletown, New York. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson on an indictment in which he is charged with second- and third-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, speeding and running a red light. The defendant was ordered to be on supervised release and to return to court on April 20, 2021. His driver’s license was suspended, and he faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if convicted of the top count with which he is charged.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on November 30, 2020, at approximately 12:24 a.m., the defendant was driving his Dodge Charger 392, which was painted with the theme of the movie “Scream” and had the license plate number SCR3AM, northbound on Bedford Avenue. Video from the car’s dashboard camera shows the defendant allegedly driving aggressively and at a high rate of speed for several blocks as he approached Dekalb Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Blackbox data indicates that he was travelling at 77 mph and the gas pedal was pressed all the way down approximately one second prior to the collision, the investigation found.

The evidence shows that at the intersection of Dekalb and Bedford Avenues, the defendant ran through a steady red light and broadsided a livery cab. A 32-year-old passenger who was seated in the back seat was ejected through a side window and suffered traumatic brain injury, a lacerated spleen, several fractures to her spine and ribs, a broken clavicle, and a subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was hospitalized for approximately two months.

After broadsiding the livery cab, the defendant then crashed into a row of cars that were parked on Bedford Avenue. The cab driver and the defendant both suffered minor injuries.

Videos that were posted on the defendant’s Instagram account show him driving the same vehicle at a fast rate of speed and performing reckless car tricks in residential streets.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Jacob Uriel of the District Attorney’s Street Safety Bureau assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, former Chief of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mancino, also of the Blue Zone.

An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Brownsville Handyman Indicted for Killings of
Three Elderly Women Who Lived in His Building

Defendant Allegedly Did Odd Jobs for Victims,
Strangled or Stabbed Victims for Money He Claimed to Be Owed

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brownsville man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with first- and second-degree murder for allegedly fatally stabbing or strangling three elderly women who lived in his building in the New York City Housing Authority’s Carter G. Woodson houses during separate incidents between 2015 and 2021.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is an alleged serial killer who murdered three of his elderly neighbors who trusted him and welcomed him into their homes only to have that trust violated in the worst way imaginable. These victims were mothers, grandmothers and beloved friends whose violent deaths have had a chilling effect inside their housing complex and on the Brownsville community. We will do everything we can to seek justice for the victims and the many family members and friends who were left without their loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kevin Gavin, 66, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. The defendant was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice on an indictment in which he is charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on July 6, 2021. He faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 8, 2015 and January 14, 2021, the defendant allegedly murdered three elderly women who lived in his building in the New York City Housing Authority’s Carter G. Woodson houses. The defendant allegedly performed odd jobs for the victims and other building tenants for money.

It is alleged that on November 8, 2015, at approximately 2 p.m., the defendant fatally stabbed Myrtle McKinney, 82, in the neck with a steak knife inside the victim’s apartment.

It is alleged that on April 30, 2019, at approximately 11:45 p.m., the defendant strangled Jacolia James, 83, inside the victim’s apartment.

It is alleged that on January 14, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m., in the course of robbing her, the defendant strangled Juanita Caballero, 78, inside the victim’s apartment by wrapping a phone cord around her neck.

A few days after the death of Ms. Caballero, the defendant was allegedly recorded on video surveillance in several different locations using stolen debit and benefit cards that belonged to the victim.

The defendant was apprehended by investigators from the New York City Police Department’s 73rd Precinct on January 21, 2021. The defendant allegedly stated that he argued with each of the victims over money he said they owed him and that the defendant fought with each victim prior to their death.

DNA evidence recovered from the body of Ms. James was also matched to the defendant.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tim Gough, Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, with the assistance of Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Midey, also of the Homicide Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 1, 2021

Brooklyn Attorney Indicted for Allegedly Stealing Approximately $201,000 From Three Individuals in Legal Matters he Handled

Defendant Allegedly Withheld Down Payment in Real Estate Transaction,
Allegedly Kept Settlements for Two Clients in Personal Injury Cases

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn attorney has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with several counts of grand larceny for allegedly stealing approximately $201,000 in funds he received, and was not entitled to, while representing clients.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly betrayed the trust of his clients and abused his power as an attorney, taking advantage of the escrow accounts he controlled to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars to which he was not entitled. We will now seek to hold him accountable for this serious breach.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Robert Santoriella, 55, of Yonkers, New York, who had an office in Brooklyn. He was arraigned today in Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice on an indictment in which he is charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on March 17, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between December 2018 and February 2021, the defendant represented an individual in the sale of a $1,310,000 lot in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It is alleged that the defendant received a $131,000 down payment from the buyer that he was to hold in escrow until closing. However, it is alleged, that when the deal fell through the defendant failed to return the down payment to the buyer.

Furthermore, it is alleged, between July 2019 and January 2021, the defendant received a $75,000 settlement check stemming from a personal injury action in which he represented the plaintiff. The defendant was entitled to $25,000 as his fee, according to the investigation, but in fact, it is alleged, never turned over any of the proceeds to his client.

Finally, it is alleged, between August 2019 and February 2021, the defendant received a $30,000 settlement check stemming from a personal injury action in which he represented the plaintiff. The defendant was entitled to $10,000 as his fee, according to the investigation, but in fact, it is alleged, never turned over any of the proceeds to his client.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Katherine Zdrojeski of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Brooklyn Man Charged in 52-Count Indictment in Seven Separate Attacks on Women in East Williamsburg, Including at Morgan Avenue Subway Station

Defendant Indicted on Hate Crime Charges for Allegedly Targeting Light-Skinned Women

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that an East Williamsburg man has been indicted on numerous charges of assault, strangulation and burglary as hate crimes and other charges for allegedly attacking seven women in East Williamsburg, allegedly selecting his victims based on their gender and skin color.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s alleged violent and unprovoked attacks endangered the women he targeted and caused widespread fear in the community. I am committed to prosecuting all hate crimes where victims, including as alleged in this case, are targeted because of their gender, skin color or race.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Khari Covington, 29, who resides in an East Williamsburg transitional housing center. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 52-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree burglary as a hate crime, second-degree strangulation as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree menacing as a hate crime and other related charges. His bail was continued at $150,000. The defendant, who’s considered a mandatory violent persistent felony offender, faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He was ordered to return to court on April 13, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between August 5, 2020 and January 4, 2021, the defendant allegedly assaulted seven women, whom he targeted because they were women and light-skinned, according to his statements to investigators.

The incidents charged in the indictment include the following:

• An assault on August 5, 2020 at approximately 9:45 a.m., inside 20 Morgan Avenue.
• An assault on November 17, 2020, at approximately 8 p.m., inside the Morgan Avenue train station.
• An assault on December 11, 2020 at approximately 9:15 p.m. at the Morgan Avenue train station.
• An assault on December 28, 2020, at approximately 5 p.m., inside the Morgan Avenue train station.
• An assault on January 1, 2021, at approximately 8:35 p.m., inside the Morgan Avenue train station.
• An assault on January 2, 2021, at approximately 9:50 p.m., inside the Morgan Avenue train station.
• An assault on January 4, 2021, at approximately 5:10 p.m., inside a smoke shop located at 12 Wilson Avenue.

Paralegal Michael Chung of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau assisted in the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Adriana Rodriguez and Assistant District Attorney Sharmalee Brooks-Gordon, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli Muse, Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 29, 2021

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez Dismisses
All Outstanding Prostitution-Related Warrants

262 Warrants Connected to Offenses That are No Longer Prosecuted Dismissed in First Phase;
DA Calls on Legislature to Repeal Loitering Law and Expunge Prostitution Convictions

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that he is moving to vacate open bench warrants related to prostitution and loitering for the purposes of prostitution – charges his Office no longer prosecutes. The first batch of 262 warrants dating back to 2012 were vacated this week and their underlying cases were dismissed, with older ones planned for dismissal at a future date. The District Attorney also called on legislators to repeal the loitering for the purposes of prostitution law and to expunge old prostitution-related convictions.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I decided to take this action for several reasons: first and most obviously, it doesn’t make sense for someone to have an outstanding warrant for something we no longer prosecute. But beyond that, these warrants have powerful negative consequences for the individual, and they undermine public safety. Because someone with an open warrant is subject to arrest at any time, those engaged in the selling of sex are more likely to be driven underground and be less likely to report abuse or other crimes, which makes both them and others less safe. An outstanding warrant could show up years after it was issued in a background check for an apartment rental or a job application, hamstringing someone’s ability to move on from their past to a more stable and less dangerous way of life.

“Vacating these warrants and dismissing these cases is consistent with my view that those who engage in these activities need to be offered assistance, not criminally prosecuted. I am also calling on Albany to repeal the law that prohibits what is known as loitering for purposes of prostitution, because of the vagueness of the law, the stark racial inequalities in its enforcement, and the disproportionate harm that enforcement of the law has caused to vulnerable trans women in our community. Additionally, I am asking the legislature to expunge past prostitution convictions so they will not hold people back from opportunities for a better future.”

The District Attorney said that the Brooklyn DA’s Office does not prosecute those arrested for engaging in prostitution, but rather refers them to services and dismisses their cases. Starting in 2020, when the law mandated that those arrested receive Desk Appearance Tickets with a future court appearance, the Office has endeavored to connect them with service providers and dismiss the charges before they even have to appear in court.

Common services involve therapeutic counseling, medical assistance and checkups, educational services, housing assistance, mental health or substance abuse screening and therapy, and legal assistance with immigration, children’s services or family court issues. Cases get dismissed whether individuals avail themselves of services or not. The Office processed fewer than 30 prostitution cases last year.

Of the 262 warrants vacated this week, 183 pertain to cases with a top count of prostitution (PL 230.00) and 79 with loitering for the purposes of prostitution (PL 240.37). Individuals subject to these warrants failed to appear in court during the pendency of their cases, making them subject to a mandatory arrest if they come into contact with law enforcement. There are about 850 additional warrants dating back from 2011 to the 1970s that are archived and cannot be currently accessed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They will be dismissed at the earliest possible time and any arrests made on those warrants will not be prosecuted.

In addition, there are 25,575 convictions in Brooklyn for the two offenses mentioned above, dating back to 1975. Expunging them en masse is a legislative prerogative and the District Attorney called on legislators to pass a bill that would do that. A bill to repeal the loitering for purposes of prostitution law is currently pending in the Legislature and the District Attorney renewed his support for the repeal.

The District Attorney thanked the Office of Court Administration, especially Justin Barry, Chief Clerk of New York City Criminal Court, and Charles Blaha, Acting Borough Chief Clerk of Brooklyn Criminal Court, for facilitating the dismissals.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Fifteen Alleged 900 Gang Members Charged in 77-Count
Indictment That Includes Two Murders and Nine Shootings

Defendants Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Possess Guns,
In Effort to Maintain Territorial Dominance in Bedford-Stuyvesant;
Four Additional Alleged Gang Members Charged in Separate Indictment

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, today announced that 15 alleged members of the 900 street gang are variously charged in a 77-count indictment with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and to possess weapons, attempted murder and related charges. Four additional alleged members of the 900 gang are variously charged in a separate 11-count indictment with conspiracy to commit murder and to possess weapons.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These indictments reflect our commitment to stem the surge in gun violence that we have experienced since last spring. Many of these defendants are accused of recklessly opening fire in broad daylight, endangering not only their rivals but innocent passersby, including children. I commend the NYPD and my prosecutors for all of the hard work that went into building these cases and am determined to continue working on similar investigations to take more shooters off our streets.”

NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said, “There is no place in our city for the kind of violence alleged in this case, which tears at the fabric of life for all. I commend our NYPD investigators, and the prosecutors in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, for working relentlessly to ensure these alleged gang members would be brought to justice.”

The District Attorney said that eight of the defendants named in the 77-count indictment were arraigned last week in Brooklyn Supreme Court. The rest of the defendants will be arraigned on a later date. The defendants are variously charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy first- and second-degree assault, first-degree attempted assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendants face up to 25 years in prison on the top conspiracy charge and the five defendants charged with murder face up to 25 years to life in prison. (See defendant addendum).

Three of the defendants in the 11-count indictment were arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court. They are variously charged with second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top conspiracy charge.

The District Attorney said that, according to the 77-count indictment, the defendants are allegedly members of a violent street gang known as 900 Gang. 900 is an umbrella organization comprised of affiliated violent street gangs operating in Brooklyn. Stack Money Goons (SMG) and Jayson Fam (JSF) are two such gangs that affiliate themselves under the umbrella of 900. SMG and JSF control territory within the confines of the 79^th precinct bordering the 90^th Precinct.

It is alleged that between April 19, 2019 and November 20, 2020, 900 members engaged in violence to establish geographic dominance. SMG and JSF controlled certain geographic areas in Brooklyn, which included the Sumner Houses, Tompkins Houses and 303 Vernon Avenue developments of the New York City Housing Authority, located within the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn within the confines of the 79^th and 81^st Precincts. To achieve those goals, some 900 members participated in violent criminal acts, including murder and shootings. It is alleged that SMG and JSF’s primary rivals are members of the Hoolies gang, who operated out of a building complex located across the street from SMG and JSF territory. The Hoolies territory included 721 Willoughby Avenue and 300 Vernon Avenue, as well as the Roosevelt Houses NYCHA development.

It is alleged that 900 members committed two murders, as well as numerous shootings, during the course of the investigation:

• On June 29, 2020, at approximately 1:13 p.m., Tysean Devonish allegedly posed as a young woman on Instagram and responded to a post allegedly made by Tracey Washington, an alleged Hoolie member, seeking individuals to open credit card accounts in connection with a credit card fraud scheme that he allegedly operated. They agreed to meet at 1620 Dean Street in Weeksville Gardens. At approximately 5:45 p.m., defendants Kaireil Haynie, Alexander Williams and Tysean Devonshire drove to the area and Washington took a livery car to the location. Haynie and Williams allegedly got out of the car they were in and walked toward the livery car. Haynie allegedly fired multiple times into the livery cab, striking Washington, who exited the cab and fled down Dean Street, where he collapsed. He was taken to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

• On September 28, 2020, at approximately 3:39 p.m., Alexander Williams requested a cab from Rainbow Car Service, picked up Wydeem Rudd, and traveled to Clifton and Franklin Avenues, where they exited the vehicle. The defendants, allegedly wearing hoods and masks, walked through the Lafayette Gardens housing project, entered the rear of 456 DeKalb Avenue, and allegedly ambushed and shot Tylee Felder, who was standing in front of the building. Rudd and Williams allegedly shot Felder six times, including once in the head, killing him. After shooting Felder, Rudd allegedly fired into a crowd outside the building. Two bystanders were shot and wounded.

• On October 2, 2019, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Naccion McCray and Vincent Lilly allegedly walked from 303 Vernon Avenue (SMG territory) to a bodega located at 335 Vernon Avenue (Hoolie territory). As the SMG members were entering, they noticed an alleged Hoolie member was exiting. McCray allegedly took a few steps back, pulled out a pistol and fired multiple shots, striking the victim in the leg. One .40 caliber shell casing was recovered.

• On October 3, 2019, at approximately 2:55 p.m., James Alston, Shawn Singletary and Jalen Elliot were walking on Graham Avenue towards Cook Street. Alston allegedly saw three rivals walking across the street in the opposite direction, drew a pistol and fired twice. There were dozens of bystanders in the area at the time, including a family with small children. One of the shots went through a store window, narrowly missing the head of an employee. Fortunately, no one was struck or injured. A .40 caliber shell casing was recovered that was a match to the casing recovered at the alleged McCray shooting scene a day earlier.

• On October 31, 2020, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Jalen Elliot and two other individuals left 303 Vernon Avenue and walked to Marcus Garvey Boulevard. Elliot continued to walk southbound on Marcus Garvey, then allegedly withdrew a gun and fired at a group of individuals standing in front of 721 Willoughby Avenue. A 14-year-old girl was struck in the leg.

• On May 16, 2019, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Nysair Harper rode a CitiBike from the Tompkins Houses (SMG territory) to Hart Street, opposite the Pulaski Playground, where the Hoolies had just broadcast over social media. Harper was allegedly trailed by a black sedan as he rode the bike. He allegedly fired multiple shots into the playground, then fled on the bike to where the sedan was parked nearby and got into the car. A 15-year-old victim was shot in the thumb and treated at a hospital.

During the course of the conspiracy, it is alleged, incarcerated 900 members communicated with non-incarcerated members in jail phone calls to keep up to date on the status of members or to discuss violent acts. The defendants also allegedly used social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram to demonstrate their gang membership and to broadcast gang activity. They allegedly also posted music videos to YouTube containing song lyrics referencing the status of rivalries and referring to acts of violence committed by gang members.

Additionally, gang members allegedly signified their status as shooters by adopting the names of famous basketball players on social media or in song lyrics. These basketball players included “Shaq,” “Kobe,” “Curry,” “Westbrook,” and “Harden.”

Finally, it is alleged, in the 11-count indictment that the defendants are members of 1800/Humble gang, which is also under the umbrella of 900 gang, and that they feud with rival gangs such as OTB (Only the Borough) to maintain geographic dominance in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights. It is alleged that on December 25, 2019 Andre Starkey and Kareem Waters and others walked to the Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights where they happened to cross paths with a rival. Waters and Starkey each allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the person, who fled the area. No one was injured.

The SMG/JSF investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Robert Nelson and Detective Shane Maynard and the Humble investigation was conducted by Detective Darren McFadzean, all of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Scott McKenna and the overall supervision of Inspector Jason Savino.

The SMG/JSF case was additionally investigated and indicted by Assistant District Attorney Owen Sucoff, formerly of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.

The SMG/JSF case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Ford and the Humble case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Gresham, both of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Cilia and Leila Rosini, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Raymond Tierney, Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Crime Strategies Unit and Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau. 

An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

77-COUNT INDICTMENT DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

1. Jabari Albright, 17, of East Harlem, New York.
2. James Alston, 18, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
3. Tysean Devonish, 23, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
4. Jalen Elliot, 16, of Weeksville, Brooklyn.
5. Lamel Gunn, 20, of Brownsville, Brooklyn.
6. Nysair Harper, 17, of Far Rockaway, New York.
7. Kaireil Haynie, 18, of Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn.
8. Lamique Haynie, 20, of Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn.
9. Vincent Lilly, 18, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
10. Naccion McCray, 19, of East New York, Brooklyn.
11. Zion McDuffie, 20, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
12. Ronald Roberts, 19, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
13. Wydeem Rudd, 21, of Bronx, New York.
14. Shawn Singletary, 19, of Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn.
15. Alexander Williams, 24, of Brownsville, Brooklyn.

11-COUNT INDICTMENT DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

1. Infinite Berry, 21, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
2. Isaiah Johnson, 20, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
3. Andre Starkey, 20, of East New York, Brooklyn.
4. Kareem Waters, 22, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Note: materials displayed during the press conference can be viewed here.