Two Defendants Convicted in Manhattan Federal Court of Various Racketeering, Murders, Attempted Murders, Narcotics, and Firearms Offenses
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 18, 2013 |
Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, today announced that Anthony Boykin and Justin Simmons were convicted yesterday in Manhattan federal court of various racketeering, murder, attempted murder, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms offenses following a four-week jury trial before the U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. The jury convicted Boykin and Simmons of charges arising out of their involvement, from 2006 through 2013, in the criminal activities of the Bloods gang (the “Newburgh Bloods”)—a violent street gang that was involved in drug trafficking and multiple acts of violence, including murders and attempted murders, in Newburgh, New York.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “The Bloods in Newburgh—including Anthony Boykin, the gang’s leader, and Justin Simmons, a soldier—have laid siege to that city, making victims not only out of those who they shot, stabbed, and killed, but also out of every Newburgh resident who has had to live with the terror wrought by the Bloods’ legacy of drugs and violence. These convictions show that it does not matter if you are at the top of a gang or merely work within it—if you choose to engage in drug dealing and gang violence, you will be held accountable for your actions and deprived of your liberty.”
According to the superseding indictment and evidence admitted at trial:
From 2006 through 2013, Boykin was a member and then leader of a racketeering enterprise—the Newburgh Bloods. As part of his participation in that enterprise, Boykin conspired to murder Lamont Young, a local marijuana dealer, which culminated in Young’s murder on March 4, 2009. He participated in two additional conspiracies to commit murder, which culminated in the vicious attacks of Ishmael Gillian and David Freeman on August 24, 2008 and September 20, 2008, respectively. Boykin also robbed a suspected narcotics dealer in August 2009.
From 2007 through 2011, Boykin and Simmons, a soldier of the Newburgh Bloods, participated in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine on Landers Street in Newburgh, New York, and throughout the city. They also possessed firearms in connection with their drug trafficking and racketeering activities with the Newburgh Bloods gang.
Boykin was convicted of one count of racketeering; one count of racketeering conspiracy; three counts of conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering; one count of murder in aid of racketeering; one count of assault in aid of racketeering; one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine; and two counts of possessing, using, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. He was acquitted of one count of murder; one count of conspiracy to commit murder; two counts of attempted murder; one count of assault; and two counts of possession, use, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. Boykin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge McMahon.
Simmons was convicted of one count of racketeering conspiracy; one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine; and two counts of possession, use, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. He was acquitted of one count of murder; one count of conspiracy to commit murder; one count of assault; and one count of possession, use, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. Simmons faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. before Judge McMahon.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding efforts of the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, including the FBI, the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police, in connection with this investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Maimin, Amie N. Ely, and Emil J. Bove, III are in charge of the prosecution.