Tag:

Racketeering

6 Members of MS-13 Charged In ‘Brutal’ Slaying Of 21-Year-Old At Uniondale Park 6 Members of MS-13 Charged In ‘Brutal’ Slaying Of 21-Year-Old At Uniondale Park
6 Members of MS-13 Charged In ‘Brutal’ Slaying Of 21-Year-Old At Uniondale Park A half dozen members of the notorious MS-13 gang were slapped with federal charges in the murder of a 21-year-old man who was found dead at a Long Island park. The group is named in a 17-count superseding indictment that was unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Oct. 3. It includes multiple racketeering offenses, including two murders, one attempted murder, and drug trafficking. Prosecutors laid out their case more than two years after Walter Ochoa, age 21, was shot in the chest and then stabbed to death by several MS-13 members at Uniondale Park on July 19, 2022. Ochoa was …
MS-13 Member 'Little Devil' Gets 50 Years For Gruesome Quadruple Murder In Central Islip MS-13 Member 'Little Devil' Gets 50 Years For Gruesome Quadruple Murder In Central Islip
MS-13 Member 'Little Devil' Gets 50 Years For Gruesome Quadruple Murder In Central Islip An MS-13 gang member who lured four men to a Long Island park where they were brutally murdered will spend decades behind bars. Leniz Escobar, age 24, of Islip Terrace, was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Oct. 1. It followed her April 2022 conviction for murder and related charges in the deaths of Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre and Jefferson Villalobos. According to prosecutors, Escobar – known by fellow gang members as “Diablita,” or “Little Devil” – helped lure five young men, including the four victims, to Central Islip Community…
50 Cent's Docuseries On Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Coming To Netflix: Report 50 Cent's Docuseries On Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Coming To Netflix: Report
50 Cent's Docuseries On Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Coming To Netflix: Report Amid hip hop mogul and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing legal battles, fellow rapper 50 Cent has found a new way to take a shot at his longtime rival.  In a social media post on Wednesday, Sept. 25, famous rapper 50 Cent hinted at his upcoming docuseries focusing on Combs' alleged criminal activity, according to a report by Variety. The outlet reported that the series, directed by Alexandria Stapleton, is now in production and will go over sex trafficking and racketeering allegations against Combs, who grew up in Westchester County in the city of Mount Vernon. It will eventu…
Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report
Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report Days after being federally charged with sex trafficking and racketeering offenses, hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs is on suicide watch as he waits for his trial in prison, according to a report by People.  Following his arrest, the 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon was remanded to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Sept. 17, where he has been placed on suicide watch, according to People.  The outlet reported that it is not known if Combs is suicidal or how exactly how long he …
Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering
Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Following several lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and other abuses, successful hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs now faces federal sex trafficking charges, officials announced.  Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, was arrested on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17 on a three-count indictment, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, beginning as far back as 2008, Combs ran a criminal enterprise that involved sex trafficking, forced…
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel Out Of Arnold Home: Feds Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel Out Of Arnold Home: Feds
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel Out Of Arnold Home: Feds A Maryland man who used to serve as a Department of Defense deputy chief admitted to his role in a violent dogfighting ring that involved him electrocuting animals who lost, federal authorities announced. Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., 63, pleaded guilty to federal charges that include conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, specifically the fighting of dogs, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. According to the guilty plea, federal agents began investigating Moorefield’s connections to dogfighting after officers from Anne Arundel County Animal Control responded to a rep…
9 NY, NJ Spas Selling Sex For Cash Exposed In Federal Investigation, US Attorney Says 9 NY, NJ Spas Selling Sex For Cash Exposed In Federal Investigation, US Attorney Says
9 NY, NJ Spas Selling Sex For Cash Exposed In Federal Investigation, US Attorney Says Four people have been charged with offering sexual favors at nine different massage parlors and spas across North Jersey and New York, federal officials said. Zhejun Piao, 37, a Chinese national, Miyeon Choi, 37, a South Korean national, Shangxian Cui, 36, Chinese national, and Meixiang Jin, 34, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise., U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday, Aug. 9. The following nine spas and massage parlors owned and operated by …
Former Notorious NJ Political Boss George Norcross Indicted For Racketeering Former Notorious NJ Political Boss George Norcross Indicted For Racketeering
Former Notorious NJ Political Boss George Norcross Indicted For Racketeering Former New Jersey Democratic kingmaker George E. Norcross III ran a criminal enterprise for nearly a dozen years during which he used his power and influence over elected officials to make laws that best served him, among other offenses, says a state indictment that charges him with racketeering. The poster boy of New Jersey political bosses, Norcross attended a news conference held on Monday, June 17 by state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin in Trenton -- uninvited -- to announce the indictment naming him and five co-defendants. When one of the attorney general's sta…
Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man
Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Reality bit the ex-husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member Dina Manzo when he was convicted Tuesday of getting a mob soldier to throw her new beau a beating. Restaurateur Thomas Manzo, 59, who lives in the affluent Bergen County suburb of Franklin Lakes, rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors and took his chances with a jury. That didn’t go so good. Jurors in U.S. District Court in Newark convicted Manzo on June 4 of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, along with conspiracy and falsifying documents during a grand jury investigation. Althou…
21-Year-Old Admits Roles In Murders, Shootings In CT: Faces Life In Prison 21-Year-Old Admits Roles In Murders, Shootings In CT: Faces Life In Prison
21-Year-Old Admits Roles In Murders, Shootings In CT: Faces Life In Prison A 21-year-old man has admitted his participation in several violent shootings and murders in Connecticut, federal officials announced. New Haven resident Tyjon Preston pleaded guilty to a racketeering offense related to his role in the violent Exit 8 street gang within the city, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Thursday, April 25.  According to federal officials, Preston's guilty plea followed an effort to address violence in New Haven that involved an investigation into an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 stre…
NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia
NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia An associate of the Genovese organized crime family known as “Sal the Shoemaker” admitted to operating an illegal gambling business associated with La Cosa Nostra. Long Island resident Salvatore Rubino, age 60, of Bethpage, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 16, at federal court in Brooklyn to operating the business. Earlier this month, four co-defendant members and associates of the Genovese crime family admitted to various felony charges stemming from their long-running operation of several lucrative gambling operations in New York City. Of the five charged, four are from Long Isl…
Ex-Fugitive MS-13 Member Admits Role In Gruesome Quadruple Murder On Long Island Ex-Fugitive MS-13 Member Admits Role In Gruesome Quadruple Murder On Long Island
Ex-Fugitive MS-13 Member Admits Role In Gruesome Quadruple Murder On Long Island An MS-13 gang member who fled the country after taking part in the brutal killing of four young men on Long Island could spend the rest of his life behind bars. Edwin Rodriguez, also known as “Manicomio” (Mental Hospital), pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday, April 3. Prosecutors said the 24-year-old, formerly of Central Islip, was a member of the Normandie Locos Salvatruchas clique of MS-13. He confessed that on the evening of April 11, 2017, he and other gang members lured Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobos t…
100 Animals Rescued, Ex-Con Druglord Charged With Leading Notorious NJ Dogfighting Ring 100 Animals Rescued, Ex-Con Druglord Charged With Leading Notorious NJ Dogfighting Ring
100 Animals Rescued, Ex-Con Druglord Charged With Leading Notorious NJ Dogfighting Ring More than 100 abused canines were rescued and several people seized in a raid on what authorities said was a large-scale nationally-known dogfighting enterprise run by a convicted South Jersey druglord. Two dogs reportedly were found dead in a pit in a rural Maurice River Township homestead that investigators said was the site of a massive operation run by widely-recognized dogfighting breeder, ex-con Bruce "Hollywood" Low Jr., 45. Others arrested include his mother and alleged business partner, Terri Low, 67, and son, dog handler Bryce Low, 20. “Profiting from dogfighting is callous, brut…
'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More 'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More
'Ruthless' Brick City Brims Druglord From Montclair Convicted Of Three Murders, More The leader of a notorious Essex County street gang that dominated the region's drug trade was convicted by a federal jury of three murders, among other counts, authorities said. Michael Healy, 43, of Montclair, "ruthlessly ordered murders so that he could protect his narcotics operation and continue to sell large quantities of dangerous [drugs],” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said after federal jurors in Newark returned their verdicts on Wednesday, April 3. Healy "recruited men to kill someone he thought was an informant, and even when they killed the wrong person – a bystander – he ord…
Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader
Former Nypd Officer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester will spend years in prison for warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, officials said.  Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, age 33, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, March 29. Earlier Report - Former N…
MS-13 Member Gets Decades For 'Barbaric' Machete Killings Of Long Island Men, Other Crimes MS-13 Member Gets Decades For 'Barbaric' Machete Killings Of Long Island Men, Other Crimes
MS-13 Member Gets Decades For 'Barbaric' Machete Killings Of Long Island Men, Other Crimes A member of the notorious MS-13 gang will spend decades in prison for his role in brutally killing two Long Island men and other crimes. Jonathan Hernandez, age 26, of Brentwood, was sentenced to over 43 years in prison in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, Jan. 31. It followed his guilty plea to racketeering charges in May 2022 stemming from his participation in the January 2016 murder of Michael Johnson and the killing of Oscar Acosta three months later. According to prosecutors, Hernandez is a member of the Sailors clique of MS-13 and wanted to increase his status in the gang. …
'Ruthless' Gang Members Charged In Murder, Robbery Spree On Long Island 'Ruthless' Gang Members Charged In Murder, Robbery Spree On Long Island
'Ruthless' Gang Members Charged In Murder, Robbery Spree On Long Island Three alleged gang members are in federal custody in connection with several murders and home robberies that occurred on Long Island. In a 32-count superseding indictment unsealed in federal court in Central Islip on Thursday, Jan. 4, Bloods gang members Dwayne Murray, Kendrick Seymore, and Lavalle Wilson are charged with attempted murder and other charges. Prosecutors allege that the trio took part in numerous violent acts on the gang’s behalf, including robberies, home invasions, and “vicious” shootings and murders. Murry is accused of fatally shooting 36-year-old Wayne Cherry in the hea…
Braggadocious Hitman Admits Killing Contractor Instead Of Intended Snitch In Maryland: Feds Braggadocious Hitman Admits Killing Contractor Instead Of Intended Snitch In Maryland: Feds
Braggadocious Hitman Admits Killing Contractor Instead Of Intended Snitch In Maryland: Feds A hitman working for the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) street gang in Maryland admitted to his role in a violent racketeering scheme that involved at least one murder, federal authorities announced. Wayne Prince — also known as "Taz" — pleaded guilty to a longstanding violent racketeering conspiracy, during which the 24-year-old was responsible for killing 27-year-old Bryan McKemy shooting another in the head.  According to his plea agreement, the Baltimore resident began working with the gang in 2018 and participated in the BGF criminal enterprise, including a murder, a drug d…
4 Bridgeport Gang Members Convicted, 8 Murders, 20 Attempted Murders Solved 4 Bridgeport Gang Members Convicted, 8 Murders, 20 Attempted Murders Solved
4 Bridgeport Gang Members Convicted, 8 Murders, 20 Attempted Murders Solved Four gang members have been found guilty of racketeering related to their involvement in a violent Connecticut street gang. Bridgeport residents found guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 5 included: Keishawn Donald, age 22 Trevon Wright, also known as “Tre,” age 22 Eric Hayes, also known as “Heavyweight Champ,” age 26 Travon Jones, also known as “Budda,” age 21 According to the evidence presented during a month-long trial, the FBI, ATF, DEA, US Marshals Service, and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder, a…
Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Yorktown Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has admitted to warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, federal officials said. Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old former NYPD officer, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to her obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, Dec. 7. Earlier Report -…
Pickaxe-Wielding MS-13 Gang Member Admits To Role In Grisly Murder Of Teen In VA Park Pickaxe-Wielding MS-13 Gang Member Admits To Role In Grisly Murder Of Teen In VA Park
Pickaxe-Wielding MS-13 Gang Member Admits To Role In Grisly Murder Of Teen In VA Park An El Salvadoran man who is a part of MS-13 admitted to his role in kidnapping and violently murdering a boy in Fairfax County in 2016. Edwin Orellana Caballero, who was 16 and living in Alexandria at the time of the murder, is the latest to plead guilty to killing a 14-year-old from Falls Church who was lured to Holmes Run Stream Valley Park in Fairfax County, where he was butchered by members of the street gang, federal authorities announced on Thursday. Prosecutors say that on Sept. 26, 2016, the teen - whose name was listed as S.A.A.T. by the DOJ - was cajoled to go to the park, where …
8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated US-Italian Takedown: Feds 8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated US-Italian Takedown: Feds
8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated Us-italian Takedown: Feds A total of 16 people in the United States and Italy have been charged after a two-year investigation that targeted members of New York's notorious Gambino crime family and some of its Sicilian associates. A 16-count indictment was unsealed on Wednesday, Nov. 8 in federal court in Brooklyn detailing the alleged involvement of the 10 Americans -- eight New Yorkers and two New Jersey residents -- in an attempt to dominate the New York carting and demolition industries. The 10 Americans have been charged with racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and union-related crimes comm…
MS-13 Member Admits Role In 'Senseless, Barbaric' Murders, Attacks On Long Island MS-13 Member Admits Role In 'Senseless, Barbaric' Murders, Attacks On Long Island
MS-13 Member Admits Role In 'Senseless, Barbaric' Murders, Attacks On Long Island A member of the notorious MS-13 gang could spend the rest of his life in prison after admitting to his role in a string of murders, including two high school students, and other attacks on Long Island. Enrique Portillo, age 26, of Brentwood, pleaded guilty to racketeering and firearms charges in federal court in Central Islip on Thursday, Aug. 31, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. Prosecutors said Portillo, a member of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of MS-13, participated in four murders targeting rival gang members between September 2…
Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Yorktown Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has been charged with warning gang members about details of a federal investigation into them, as well as helping the group's leader to escape capture for a murder he committed, officials said. Former NYPD officer Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old Mohegan Lake resident, was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 15 for her role in obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang as well as serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the group, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced o…
Hawthorne Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Hawthorne Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering
Hawthorne Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Six members and associates of the Genovese organized crime family, including a Westchester man and a Fairfield County resident, have been sentenced on racketeering charges, federal officials said.  The sentencings were announced on Friday, Aug. 4 by US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.  According to Williams, the six men were associated with the Genovese Organized Crime Family, part of a nationwide criminal organization known by various names such as "La Cosa Nostra" and the “Mafia."  Those sentenced included two "captains," who were r…
3 Brick City Brims Get 100 Years Combined For Murdering Informant, Bystander, Rival Gangster 3 Brick City Brims Get 100 Years Combined For Murdering Informant, Bystander, Rival Gangster
3 Brick City Brims Get 100 Years Combined For Murdering Informant, Bystander, Rival Gangster A trio of ruthless Essex County gang members who admitted gunning down a government informant after killing an innocent bystander they mistook for the snitch were sentenced to nearly 100 years combined in federal prison. There’s no parole in the federal prison system, which means the East Orange trio will all have to serve out their plea-bargained sentences: Thomas Zimmerman, 28, was sentenced to 37 years; Tyquan Daniels, 27, got 35 years; Ali Hill, 30, was sentenced to 25 years. That means Daniels and Zimmerman will both be pushing 65 when either tastes freedom again. Hill would be approa…
Murder, Money Laundering: Alleged MS-13 Members From Long Island, Queens, More Indicted Murder, Money Laundering: Alleged MS-13 Members From Long Island, Queens, More Indicted
Murder, Money Laundering: Alleged MS-13 Members From Long Island, Queens, More Indicted A new 48-count superseding indictment charging dozens of alleged MS-13 members – including a handful from Long Island – with murder, money laundering, and other charges has been released, officials announced. On Wednesday, June 21, the United States Attorney’s Office unsealed a superseding indictment that charges 23 alleged MS-13 gang members, six of them from Long Island, of attempted murder, racketeering, and more. Seven of the 23 individuals had been previously indicted and arrested, while the newly indicted were arrested in the days leading up to Wednesday, June 21. The original indi…
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country A former New York City Police Department detective and four other men have been charged as members of an organized crew that conducted residential robberies across the country, including Westchester.  The unsealing of the five suspects' indictments was announced on Thursday, June 8 by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  The five men charged with participating in the string of violent armed robberies are:  Bronx resident Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, age 41, also known as "Pito"; Queens resident Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, age 31, also known as "Nene" a…
Ex-Mass Police Union Chief Gets 2.5 Years In Prison After Fraud Conviction: Feds Ex-Mass Police Union Chief Gets 2.5 Years In Prison After Fraud Conviction: Feds
Ex-Mass Police Union Chief Gets 2.5 Years In Prison After Fraud Conviction: Feds The former president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts and the group's ex-lobbyist were sentenced Wednesday, May 10, after they were convicted on charges that they turned the union into a "criminal enterprise" that defrauded its members, authorities said.  Dana A. Pullman, 60, of Worcester — the former president of SPAM  — was sentenced to 30 months behind bars and three years of probation, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Anne M. Lynch, 71, of Huff, the union's lobbyist, received two years in prison and two years of supervised release, the prosecutor add…
Murderous Gang Members Get Prison Time For Killing Rivals In Baltimore Murderous Gang Members Get Prison Time For Killing Rivals In Baltimore
Murderous Gang Members Get Prison Time For Killing Rivals In Baltimore A pair of Baltimore gang members will be spending years behind bars for their roles in a conspiracy that included the murder of a rival gang member, federal authorities announced. This week, Cherry Hill gang members Deaven Cherry, 35, and Travis “Sticks” Alewine, 30, both of Baltimore, were sentenced to 21 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release in separate cases for a violent racketeering conspiracy throughout the region. Cherry was sentenced on Monday, April 17, and Alewine received his prison sentence on Thursday, April 20. Travis Alewine sentenced to 21+ years…
Crips Gang Nabbed For Alleged Murders, Fraud, More On Long Island: US Attorney Crips Gang Nabbed For Alleged Murders, Fraud, More On Long Island: US Attorney
Crips Gang Nabbed For Alleged Murders, Fraud, More On Long Island: US Attorney A federal court unsealed a 59-count indictment, which charges eight people for various offenses related to their roles in a subset of the Crips street gang, officials have announced. According to the Eastern District of New York’s US Attorney’s Office, those charged were either members or associates of the Insane Crips Gang, or “ICG.” Seven of the eight people were arrested on the morning of Thursday, April 13, and were arraigned later that day. Officials said one defendant remains at large. The indictment, authorities said, charges seven people with racketeering and conspiracy to commi…