Earlier today, in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York, Chief Judge Carol Bagley Amon sentenced defendant Brian Gill to life in prison and his brothers David Gill and Samuel McIntosh to 40 years in prison. Following a three-week trial in November 2014, the three brothers were convicted of the June 22, 1994, drug-related murder of Michael Dawson and conspiracy to commit the murder. Brian Gill and David Gill were also convicted of a narcotics trafficking conspiracy between 2011 and 2013. At sentencing, the court found by clear and convincing evidence that Samuel McIntosh also participated in the 2011-2013 narcotics trafficking conspiracy. The charges stemmed from the defendants’ control of a drug-trafficking organization that operated in the Park Hill housing complex in the Clifton neighborhood of Staten Island.

The sentences were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Diego G. Rodriguez, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI).

Over the course of two decades, the defendants intermittently operated a lucrative drug distribution business in Park Hill. On June 22, 1994, in connection with that business and in retaliation for selling crack cocaine on the defendants’ turf, the defendants brazenly murdered 22-year-old Michael Dawson in broad daylight in the street outside 160 Park Hill Avenue, a profitable building for crack dealing. Shortly thereafter, Brian Gill fled Staten Island. In 2011, when Brian Gill returned to Park Hill after 17 years, he launched another crack dealing business in Park Hill from his residence at 160 Park Hill Avenue. David Gill and Samuel McIntosh participated in and helped Brian Gill with that business.

“For years, these defendants escaped punishment for a senseless murder they committed in a community plagued by drug-trafficking and violence for far too long,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “The sentences imposed appropriately reflect the seriousness of their crimes and demonstrate our steadfast commitment to holding accountable those who choose to commit murder and drug-trafficking, regardless of the age of their crimes.” Ms. Lynch extended her grateful appreciation to the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and the Richmond County District Attorney for their outstanding work in this case.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime & Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia Shihata, Alicyn Cooley, and Tali Farhadian are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

BRIAN GILL

• Age: 46 years
• Staten Island, New York

DAVID GILL

• Age: 43 years
• Staten Island, New York

SAMUEL MCINTOSH

• Age: 40 years
• Staten Island, New York