Bronx Gang Member Convicted Of Racketeering, Drug Trafficking, And Firearms Offenses

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that a jury returned a guilty verdict against YELTSIN BELTRAN, a/k/a “Yells,” on three counts in a Superseding Indictment, including charges of racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, and a firearms offense.  BELTRAN will be sentenced at a later date by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who presided over the eight-day trial. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Yeltsin Beltran lived a dangerous lifestyle as a member of the YBMG street gang.  Beltran trafficked dangerous drugs and was involved in reckless gunplay in connection with his membership in the gang.  Today’s conviction reaffirms this Office’s commitment to prosecute those who choose to participate in gangs that threaten the wellbeing and safety of our community.”

According to the Superseding Indictment and the evidence at trial:

Between in or about 2006 and in or about 2021, BELTRAN was a member of the Young Bronx Money Getters (“YBMG”), an armed gang that trafficked large quantities of heroin throughout the Northeast including in the Bronx, Long Island, upstate New York, and Connecticut.  BELTRAN also used, carried, and possessed firearms, at least one of which was discharged in connection with the narcotics conspiracy, including during an April 24, 2017, shooting at an after-hours club, in which BELTRAN shot at another person and struck a bystander, and in an April 19, 2019, incident in which BELTRAN shot himself in the foot while inside a crowded nightclub.   

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BELTRAN, 31, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted on three counts: (i) conspiring to participate in the YBMG racketeering enterprise, which carries a maximum term of life in prison; (ii) conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, which carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison; and (iii) using and carrying firearms during, and possessing firearms in furtherance of, the narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison.  BELTRAN was acquitted of a December 24, 2017, shooting in connection with the racketeering enterprise and a related firearms count.

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s ("DEA") New York Drug Enforcement Task Force that comprises agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Balsamello, Christopher Brumwell, Brandon Harper, Benjamin Gianforti, and Mathew Andrews, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Chanel-Ashley Foster and William Coleman, are in charge of the prosecution.