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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Former Williamsburg Man Indicted for Operating a Ponzi Scheme,

Stealing Over $1.3 Million from More Than 20 Victims

Defendant Allegedly Spent Stolen Funds on Rent, Restaurants and Travel;

Victims Include Church in Queens and Numerous Churchgoers

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a former Williamsburg man has been arraigned on a 56-count indictment in which he is charged with stealing over $1.3 million from over 20 people in a Ponzi scheme in which he allegedly posed as a securities broker and wooed investors with promises of high rates of return. It is alleged the defendant did not invest the victims’ funds in the stock market as promised, but instead spent the money on rent, restaurants, travel, and leasing luxury cars.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly defrauded over 20 hardworking people out of their savings in what amounted to an elaborate Ponzi scheme. Our investigation revealed that he targeted many churchgoers whose trust he allegedly betrayed.  Financial fraud will be investigated and prosecuted vigorously by my Office with the goal of making victims whole and holding alleged swindlers accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mark Ramkishun, 28, of Orlando, Florida. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu on a 56-count indictment in which he is charged with second-, third-, and fourth-degree grand larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud, issuing false financial statements, and violations of the Martin Act. He was ordered released without bail and to return to court on February 15, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, between March 2019 and September 2022, the defendant allegedly operated a fraudulent investment scheme in which he told his victims he was a securities broker and solicited them to invest $20,000 or more in his company, Leo Growl LLC. The defendant claimed to be able to achieve monthly returns of $2,000 to $3,000 for every $20,000 invested and had his victims sign bogus contracts with him. After obtaining the money, the defendant allegedly provided his victims with false brokerage statements from E*TRADE Securities that purported to show monthly trading profits, which did not, in fact, exist.

According to the investigation, the defendant did not invest the victims’ funds in the stock market as promised, nor did the defendant open brokerage accounts on behalf of the victims at a broker-dealer. Instead, the defendant allegedly embezzled the funds, paying for rent in Brooklyn, and living a lavish lifestyle that included leasing luxury cars and paying for restaurants and travel. The defendant purportedly diverted some of the money obtained from new investors to pay previous investors. Approximately $360,000 of his victims’ money was allegedly dispersed this way.

            According to the investigation, many of the defendant’s victims were members of the Healing Center Church in Ozone Park, Queens, where the defendant’s parents are former members and served as church elders before moving to Florida in 2021. The church itself invested with the defendant, making it the largest known victim of the alleged Ponzi scheme.

The case was investigated following a tip to the District Attorney’s Action Center.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Counsel for Complex Investigations Michael Choi, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicole Lauterbach, under the supervision of 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
Wedneday, December 21, 2021

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison for Sexually Assaulting

20-Year-Old Woman in Brownsville Park

Defendant Offered to Walk the Victim Home, Then Raped and Robbed Her

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the rape and robbery of a 20-year-old woman in a public park in Brownsville. A DNA match connected the defendant to the crime.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a horrific attack that left a young woman traumatized and a community shaken. With today’s sentence, the defendant is held accountable for this deplorable crime. I am committed to bringing to justice those who commit such brutal acts of sexual violence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jason Lopez, 44, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 20 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo. He was convicted of first-degree rape and third-degree robbery following a jury trial in May.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 1, 2018, at approximately 2 a.m., the defendant approached the 20-year-old victim near Herzl Street and Dumont Avenue as she was trying to assist a friend to get home from a party.

The defendant asked the two women if they needed help. He then hailed a cab and helped the friend into the cab before offering to walk the victim home. The defendant then grabbed the victim by the wrist and led her into Betsy Head Park, where he asked if she wanted to have sex. When the victim refused, the defendant pushed her to the ground and raped her.

The defendant then ran off with the victim’s cellphone and purse as the victim yelled. She immediately reported the rape to a bystander she spotted on the street. The bystander called 911 and brought the victim to the 73^rd Police Precinct. DNA from the victim’s sexual assault evidence kit matched the defendant’s DNA, which was on file from a prior felony conviction. He was arrested on December 15, 2018.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sapna Kishnani, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 19, 2022

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Rape

Defendant Assaulted Victim as She Walked Home, Then Raped Her

 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the rape of a 21-year-old woman in Canarsie. The defendant was convicted last month following a jury trial.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy prison sentence holds the defendant accountable for this violent and traumatic attack on an innocent woman and I am grateful to the victim for her brave cooperation throughout this prosecution. My office is deeply committed to vigorously pursuing justice for victims of sexual violence and Brooklyn is safer with this defendant behind bars.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Shinol John, 36, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 25 years in prison and 20 years’ post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo. He was convicted of two counts of first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act and second-degree assault as a sexually motivated felony following a jury trial in November.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 16, 2020, at approximately 2:30 a.m., in the vicinity of Rockaway Avenue in Canarsie, the victim was walking home from a party when she was approached from behind by the defendant, a stranger to the victim, who grabbed her by the neck, punched her in the face and head, and dragged her to a grassy area and forced her to the ground.

The defendant pulled down her underwear and raped her, according to the evidence. He put his hands on her neck, told her not to speak and threatened to slice her neck with a knife. He also told her he had a gun. He then put his mouth on her mouth and genitals. The defendant then left momentarily and told the victim not to move.

Furthermore, the defendant then returned to the scene and raped the victim a second time. The defendant then told the victim to count to 30 and not to move. Then he left and the victim walked out of the area. Two passersby saw the victim and went to her aid. One of them called 911. The defendant returned to the area but left when he saw the individuals aiding the victim.

Finally, according to the evidence, one of the witnesses flagged down a patrol car. Police located the defendant on Saratoga Avenue, and he was arrested. The victim was taken to Kings County Hospital where she was treated for swelling and bruising to the eye, and pain to the jaw.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Gwen Barnes and Pamela Lowe, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, First Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 19, 2022

Record Number of Firearms Recovered in Brooklyn Gun Buyback

206 Weapons Surrendered, the Most During a Single Event in City History,
Including Ghost Guns and Assault Rifles

 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, today announced that a Gun Buyback event that was held in Bedford Stuyvesant on Saturday resulted in the most surrendered weapons in memory. A total of 206 firearms were turned in by residents, who received up to $500 and an iPad. The weapons included 130 handguns, five of which were ghost guns, and several assault rifles.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This unprecedentedly successful Gun Buyback is a testament to what we can achieve when the community, local businesses and law enforcement come together. We know that fewer guns in our neighborhoods means less gun violence, and these 206 guns will be destroyed so they can never do harm. Public safety is a shared responsibility and I’m grateful that the Brooklyn community joined forces this holiday season to promote safer, healthier communities that are free from gun violence.”
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The District Attorney said that the gun buyback was held in Cornerstone Baptist Church, 574 Madison Street in Bed-Stuy. Thanks to a generous donation from the Oyate Group – a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty by creating sustainable and holistic solutions that empower underserved communities across the city – the District Attorney’s Office was able to offer $500 bank cards for each operable gun or assault rifle that was turned in. Participants also received $150 for each operable rifle or shotgun, and $50 for each BB gun or imitation pistol. No ID was required, the firearms will be destroyed and will not be tested for DNA or other identifying information.

The District Attorney thanked the private businesses who contributed funds towards iPads that were given as an added incentives to the first 50 participants: T-Mobile, Junior’s Restaurant and Broadway Stages. He also thanked Pastor Lawrence E. Aker III of Cornerstone Baptist Church for hosting the event and the Oyate Group for funding the cash cards.

Saturday’s event was the third Gun Buyback to be held in Brooklyn this year. In total, 315 firearms were taken off the streets during the three events.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 15, 2022

 Man and Woman Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Teenage Girl

Defendants Are Each Charged with Sex Trafficking of a Child,

Among Other Charges in 12-Count Indictment

 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man and a woman have been named in an indictment charging them with the sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl. The male defendant was arraigned today. His co-defendant remains unapprehended.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly took advantage of a teenage girl, forcing her to repeatedly engage in sex with several men in exchange for money that the defendants took from her. We have no tolerance for this kind of outrageous conduct, and I will continue to hold accountable anyone who criminally exploits vulnerable youth in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kaelin Alexander, a.k.a. Chantz, 23, of Staten Island. His co-defendant remains unapprehended. Both defendants are variously charged in a 12-count indictment with sex trafficking of a child, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution and endangering the welfare of a child. Alexander was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who set bail at $50,000 cash or $350,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on January 23, 2023. He faces up to 25 years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between August 7, 2022 and August 19, 2022, the defendants made the victim, a 16-year-old girl, engage in prostitution in exchange for money in East New York, Brooklyn, walking the track on Pennsylvania Avenue, which is an area known for prostitution activity, while the defendants waited in Alexander’s car.

Furthermore, it is alleged, that on or about August 20, 2022, Alexander and his co-defendant got into an altercation and the co-defendant left the car. Thereafter, it is alleged, the victim began engaging in prostitution solely for Alexander giving Alexander the money she earned.”

Finally, according to the investigation, the New York City Police Department subsequently received information regarding the possible sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl, an investigation was commenced, and the victim was recovered on October 17, 2022, after an undercover operation was conducted.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Denis Regimbal of the Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Duplessis, Lieutenant Amy Capogna, and Captain Thomas Milano.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Iorio, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Deputy Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and NYPD
To Offer $500 and iPads for Guns, Just in Time for the Holidays

Gun Buyback to Pay Unprecedented Sums for Turned-in Firearms, No Questions Asked;

Will be Held at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Bed-Stuy on Saturday, December 17

          

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, today announced that a Gun Buyback event will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 574 Madison Street, in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Those who turn in operable guns and assault rifles will receive a $500 bank card for each firearm – the highest sum paid in a Gun Buyback event in New York City. In addition, the first 25 attendees will also receive an iPad.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Getting guns off the streets is a shared responsibility and Saturday’s Gun Buyback event is part of our Office’s comprehensive strategy to reduce gun violence in our neighborhoods. I encourage anyone who may have a firearm in their home – or knows someone who does – to take advantage of this opportunity and get a substantial sum of money in time for the holidays. I would like to thank the NYPD, business leaders and the community-based organizations who are partnering with us to make this event a success.”

Commissioner Sewell said, “The most effective way to reduce gun violence in our city is to reduce the number of guns on our streets. To that end, the NYPD will continue to deploy every strategy available to keep New Yorkers safe – including Gun Buyback events like this one. I want to thank everyone at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in this important program, and for their unwavering commitment to public safety.”

Tomas Ramos, Founder and CEO of Oyate Group, said, “Gun violence is detrimental to our physical, mental and overall health and has an outsized impact on New York City’s most under-resourced communities. We at Oyate Group believe in taking an intersectional approach to public safety. Poverty has long been associated with violence, and our aim is to put an end to that violence through a conscious effort to address the struggles New York City’s underserved communities face. We are thankful for our partners who have joined us in promoting peace and investing in the financial stability of our boroughs. Together we can end gun violence.”

Pastor Lawrence E. Aker III of Cornerstone Baptist Church said, “The Cornerstone Church is pleased to collaborate with District Attorney Eric Gonzalez in an effort that will potentially make the streets of Brooklyn safer and bring joy during this holiday season.”

The District Attorney said that, thanks to a generous donation from the Oyate Group – a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty by creating sustainable and holistic solutions that empower underserved communities across the city – his Office will offer money in the form of a $500 bank card for each operable gun or assault rifle turned in (there is no limit on the numbers of guns that can be turned in). No identification is required, and all transactions will be anonymous, no questions asked. Participants can also receive $150 for each operable rifle or shotgun, and $50 for each BB gun or imitation pistol.

The bank cards will be issued after each firearm is received and screened by officers on-site. Guns should be unloaded and packaged in a paper or plastic bag or a box when brought to the event. If transported by car, the guns must be kept in the trunk. Both working and inoperable weapons will be accepted. Active or retired law enforcement officers and licensed gun dealers are not eligible for this event.

Furthermore, the first 25 individuals to turn in a firearm will also receive a free iPad. The devices were donated by T-Mobile and Junior’s Restaurant as part of a private-public partnership to enhance safety.

T-Mobile’s Senior Vice President Terry Hayes said, “T-Mobile is proud to support the Police Athletic League, the NYPD and the Brooklyn DA’s Office by donating iPads for the upcoming Gun Buyback event. As an employer in Brooklyn, with Metro by T-Mobile and T-Mobile stores, we think of this as our commitment to keeping both our employees and residents safe.”

Junior’s third-generation owner Alan Rosen said, “As a father, businessman, and owner of restaurants that have been woven into the very fabric of New York for more than 70 years, I want to do everything I can to keep my borough, my city, my restaurants, and my fellow New Yorkers safe. If this gun buyback just saves the life of one other innocent boy or girl, it is worth it. Of course, we’re hoping that hundreds of individuals will participate by turning in their guns so we can really make a major dent in the problem.”

The Gun Buyback is the third such event hosted by the Brooklyn DA’s Office this year. A total of 109 firearms were turned over in the previous two events, including many types of firearms that are often used in street crimes.

Cornerstone Baptist Church is located at 574 Madison Street, about 10 blocks from the A/C subway station on Utica Avenue, and a similar distance from the J/Z Subway Station on Gates Avenue. The bus lines B15, B26 and B52 all have stops in the vicinity.

The District Attorney thanked Oyate Group, the New York City Police Foundation and Junior’s Restaurant for partnering to contribute funds and resources for this event.

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[Note: media availability will take place on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 4 p.m.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to up to 21 Years in Prison for

East Flatbush Shooting That Killed an Innocent Teen

Defendant Was Looking for Rival Gang Members When He Shot 15-year-old Victim

            Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a member of a violent Brooklyn street gang has been sentenced to up to 21 years in prison for a February 2017 shooting in East Flatbush that left one teenager dead and another injured. The defendant was looking for rival gang members to shoot when he came across the victim, an innocent bystander, and shot him.

            District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant took the life of an innocent teen in a cold-blooded act of gun violence that left a family forever traumatized. We will not allow this type of gang activity on the streets of Brooklyn. Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant is no longer a danger to our community.”

            The District Attorney identified the defendant as Zidon Clarke, 23, of, Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to a determinate term of 20 years in prison on the charge of first-degree manslaughter and an indeterminate term of seven to 21 years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit murder. The terms were ordered to run concurrently. The defendant was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree attempted assault, fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal use of a firearm, and first-degree reckless endangerment on November 21, 2022, following a bench trial.

            The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on February 20, 2017, at about 2:20 p.m., in front of 92 East 55 Street near Lenox Road in East Flatbush, the defendant, who is a member of the “SRK” subset of the Folk Nation street gang, was out hunting for rival gang members to shoot when he came across the victim, Rohan Levy, and three of the victim’s friends as they walked through East Flatbush. The victim, a student at Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design, was returning home after playing basketball.

            According to the evidence, the defendant got out of the passenger seat of a Honda Accord and fired five shots from a .380 caliber handgun, striking Levy in the back of the head and another teen, 18, in the leg. A fragment of the bullet shell entered Rohan’s brain. The teen died three days later at Kings County Hospital.

            The defendant fled the scene in the Honda Accord. He was arrested on April 5, 2017, after the New York City Police Department released video showing him getting into the car.

            The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alfred C. Deingeniis, Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 9, 2022

Brooklyn Father Arraigned in Death of 23-Month-Old Daughter

Defendant Allegedly Hit Toddler in Head, Causing Traumatic Brain Injury

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and other charges after he allegedly hit his 23-month-old daughter in the head, causing her death. The child died from a traumatic brain injury one day before her second birthday.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “A precious and innocent child was fatally injured, allegedly at the hands of the person responsible for nurturing and protecting her. My heart is with the little girl’s family, and we will now seek to hold this defendant accountable.”

            The District Attorney identified the defendant as Robert Wright, 33, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child. Wright was released on $100,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on January 27, 2023.

            The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 4, 2022, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the defendant hit his daughter in the back of the head with a closed fist. The defendant later told investigators he had taken a nap with the child and hit her as he was waking up from a dream. The incident occurred in the Brooklyn home he shared with the child and other family members.

            According to the investigation, the victim’s mother returned home and observed that the child was lethargic. Family members later observed the child bleeding from the mouth. The child was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where a scan revealed bleeding and swelling to the brain. The child went into cardiac arrest before being transferred to Cohen Children’s Medical Center. She was pronounced deceased on October 5, 2022. The New York City Medical Examiner later determined the child had suffered a traumatic brain injury with the cause of death ruled to be blunt force impact to the head.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Sapna Kishnani, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 18, 2022

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Shooting Death of Ethan Williams

Victim was in New York City for Skateboard Tournament When he was Shot Dead in Bushwick

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder for allegedly shooting an Indiana man who was sitting on a stoop in Bushwick, Brooklyn, killing him.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Ethan Williams was a kind and compassionate young man who had his whole life ahead of him. His visit to New York City was the culmination of a lifelong dream and his untimely and unnecessary death is horrific and heartbreaking. I hope this prosecution brings some sense of solace to his family as we seek to bring this defendant to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as William Freeman, 26, of Gravesend, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice on an indictment in which he is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on February 24, 2023. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the victim, Ethan Williams, 20, an Indiana University student on his first visit to New York City, was sitting on a stoop at 42 Eldert Street, in Bushwick, with several friends with whom he was renting an AirBnB, on October 24, 2020, at approximately 2:30 a.m., when the defendant allegedly opened fire on the group. Ethan was struck in the chest and died of his wounds.

The defendant then fled the scene, according to the investigation. The defendant was arrested on November 3, 2022, in the vicinity of 480 Knickerbocker Avenue, in Bushwick, after a car in which he was a passenger was stopped by police. The defendant allegedly made statements admitting, in essence, that the defendant shot at the victim’s group because he mistakenly thought someone in the group was responsible for his cousin’s death a few weeks prior.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Robert Romano of the 83rd Precinct and NYPD Detective Sonia Yi of Brooklyn North Homicide.

Senior Intelligence Analyst Katherine Rivera of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau contributed to the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry, also of the Homicide Bureau.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Thirty-Two Alleged Members of Two Rival Brownsville-Based Gangs Charged With 106 Counts, Including Conspiracy to Commit Murder

19 Shootings, Two of Them Fatal, Included in Four Separate Indictments;

14 Total Victims, Several of Them Innocent Bystanders, Including 3-Year-Old Girl

and 62-year-old man; 27 Firearms Recovered During Long-Term Investigation

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, today announced that 32 alleged members of two rival street gangs known as WOOO and CHOO are variously charged in four indictments with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, and other related charges including murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and weapons possession. The indictments include charges related to 19 shootings that resulted in 14 victims, including two who died as a result of their injuries. Innocent bystanders, including a 3-year-old girl who was leaving daycare, were wounded in the charged shooting incidents.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With this successful takedown we aim to incapacitate two violent gangs that have terrorized parts of Brownsville for too long. Their senseless and indiscriminate gun violence upended the sense of safety for many residents and wounded a number of innocent bystanders, including a 3-year-old-girl who was leaving her daycare center. We will never allow this type of criminal activity to go unimpeded and will work closely with the NYPD to build strong cases that will ensure that these alleged offenders are held accountable, and our communities are kept safe – like we’ve done in this case.”

NYPD Commissioner Sewell said, “Among the highest priorities for the NYPD and our law enforcement partners is focusing our resources on the relatively few people responsible for the majority of the crime and violence in New York City. Today’s charges highlight our commitment to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting anyone who takes part in illegal gang activities. I thank and commend the members of the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division and the entire Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their dedicated efforts on this important case.”

The defendants will be arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on four indictments in which they are variously charged with second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, attempted first degree assault, second-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and first-degree reckless endangerment. There are a total of 106 counts in the indictments against 32 defendants – 13 alleged WOOO members and 19 alleged CHOO members.

The District Attorney said the indictments are the result of a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the Gun Violence Suppression Division that started in the spring of 2020 and extended until November of 2022. The investigation focused on two gang confederacies that operate out of several neighboring housing complexes in Brownsville. On one side is WOOO, based in the Seth Low Houses, Van Dyke Houses, Langston Hughes Houses, Glenmore Plaza, and Brownsville Houses; WOOO is made up of numerous subsets, including OMB, 1800, Gorilla Stone Bloods, Makk Balla Bloods, 59 Brim, YAWAH and Pistol Packin Pitkin (PPP). On the other side of the rivalry is CHOO, based in the Tilden Houses, Howard Houses, Marcus Garvey Village, Newport Gardens, and Riverdale Towers; similarly, CHOO is made up of a collection of crews, including Folk Nation (also known as Gangster Disciples), Move In Silence (M.I.S.) and Hoodstarz. Dumont Avenue is considered the dividing line between the two gangs’ territories. Some WOOO- and CHOO-controlled housing complexes are located on the same street.

The long-running rivalry between these criminal organizations, predicated on maintaining their territory and gaining supremacy over their rivals, coupled with close geographic proximity, has led to consistent and frequent violence. Much of the violence charged in the indictments was specifically fueled by the murder of WOOO member Shamel Boomer on July 10, 2020. Although not directly responsible for Boomer’s death (a member of the Bergen Fam gang was later charged for allegedly committing that homicide), the murder of Boomer was celebrated by both Bergen Fam and CHOO alike and has become a common way to disrespect WOOO by both gangs. WOOO vowed retaliation against their rivals, including CHOO, in a violent movement referred to as “Boomin’ for Boomer” on social media. CHOO, in turn, retaliated against WOOO members or individuals perceived to be associated with WOOO.

During the conspiracy period covered in the indictments, there were 27 incidents, including two homicides and 17 non-fatal shootings that wounded 14 people. Over 25 different firearms were used in these acts of violence and 27 firearms were recovered during the course of the investigation.

It is alleged that many of the acts of violence were captured on surveillance videos. Furthermore, it is alleged that the defendants boasted about their criminal activities on social media and in music videos, discussing acts of violence and taking credit for shootings.

The first homicide charged took place on July 5, 2020, when CHOO member Corey Henry allegedly traveled to WOOO territory, the Glenmore Plaza housing complex, and fatally shot WOOO member Jahrell Gause. The second homicide took place on July 12, 2022, when CHOO member Shakur Bartley allegedly shot and killed Tyrie McLaughlin, a WOOO member, in front of the Brownsville Houses, which is considered WOOO territory.

 

Other significant incidents that are charged as part of the conspiracies include:

• On March 25, 2022, it is alleged that Daleek Habersham traveled in a BMW driven by Princess Chambers to Riverdale Avenue, where he allegedly believed a WOOO member resided. It is alleged that once in the vicinity, Habersham exited the BMW and shot directly in the direction of a man who was putting a young child into his car (and who was not, in reality, a rival) before running back into the waiting BMW. A 3-year-old girl who was walking from a nearby daycare, holding her father’s hand, was struck in the shoulder. The following day, Habersham allegedly sent a screenshot of a news article describing the shooting to a private Instagram group, followed by the message “did bad.”

 

• On April 14, 2021, it is charged that CHOO member Parnell Brown was struck by a Hyundai Sonata driven by WOOO member Davvion Thompson while Brown attempted to cross the street. After rolling onto the hood and being thrown to the ground, it is alleged that Brown immediately ran after the Hyundai, firing at its direction as it sped away. It is further alleged that Thompson drove straight to Saks 5^th Avenue in Manhattan, where video surveillance captures him shopping with others at the luxury store.

 

• On October 6, 2020, it is alleged that WOOO member Lawrence Cook summoned two other WOOO members, Elijah Griffith and Avante Stephen, after seeing a rival CHOO member in a doctor’s office waiting room. It is alleged that Griffith and Stephen immediately came to the area, where they waited nearby until the CHOO member exited the doctor’s office with his mother and young siblings at approximately 2:50 pm. Once the CHOO member and his family entered a Honda Pilot, Griffith allegedly fired upon the vehicle multiple times, striking the vehicle. This incident represents WOOO’s policy of “shoot on sight.”

 

This investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective John LaMariana and Detective Justin Vazquez of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Yancy Blowe, Sergeant Calvin Fergus, Lieutenant Salvatore Sciove, Captain Ryan Gillis, all of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, and Deputy Chief Jason Savino, the Commanding Officer of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, and under the overall supervision of Chief of Detectives James W. Essig.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Kelly Maloney and Daniel Stern of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with the assistance of Paralegals Dian Fields-Vernon and Tanya Lopez, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Kathryn Spota and Gillian DiPietro, VCE Deputy Bureau Chiefs, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, VCE First Deputy Bureau Chief,  and Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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

[Note: Materials shown at the press conference are available here.]

 

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

WOOO Members 

1. Errol Everett, 36
2. Elijah Griffith, 23
3. Dionte Gibb, 24
4. Baramus Temple, 23
5. Lawrence Cook, 22
6. George Rosario, 23
7. Jared Lambson, 18
8. Avante Stephen, 22
9. Tyler Hodges, 19
10. Christian Graham, 20
11. Denus Sanders, 24
12. Davvion Thompson, 23
13. Travon Murphy, 22

CHOO Members

1. Pernell Brown, 21
2. Roleke Green, 20
3. Jaylen Clark, 21
4. Juvaun Delfyette, 19
5. Paul Moore, 22
6. Lamont Lockett, 19
7. Isaiah Feliciano, 22
8. Jaylen Ortiz, 18
9. Daleek Habersham, 23
10. Princess Chambers, 22
11. Corey Henry, 20
12. Anthony McCrae, 24
13. Bryan Rodriguez, 21
14. Shakur Bartley, 25
15. Levi Alexis, 21
16. Franklin McClain, 20
17. Deandru Jones, 23
18. Jaevon King, 21
19. Joel Mentore, 19