Four Members Of Ski-Ball Gang Charged With Racketeering And Multiple Gang-Related Shootings

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Daniel B. Brubaker, the Inspector in Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging KAYSHAWN MASSOP, a/k/a “topski.bz,” a/k/a “Bz,” a/k/a “KB,” a/k/a “Kay Ski,” GREG BROWN, a/k/a “ballout.gg,” a/k/a “GG,” CARL HENRY, a/k/a “Big Ski,” a/k/a “Biggs,” and AMARI JACKSON, a/k/a “Justo,” with racketeering conspiracy, firearms offenses, and other crimes related to their membership in the “Ski-Ball Gang,” a street gang based in the Bronx, New York.  MASSOP, BROWN, HENRY, and JACKSON are also charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering in connection with their participation in multiple shootings.  MASSOP, BROWN, HENRY, and JACKSON are all in custody, and JACKSON was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Keeping our community safe from violent crime is a paramount priority of this Office.  As alleged, members of the Ski-Ball Gang engaged in brazen acts of violence across this District, including multiple shootings at rival gang members.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors of this Office, the defendants, who include senior members of the gang, now face a slew of federal charges for their crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “As alleged, the defendants conspired to not only attempt to increase their standing within a violent street gang through a series of senseless shootings, but also to engage in both bank and wire fraud.  We will not allow gang members to engage in reckless violence that endangers innocent lives.  The New York FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force is committed, through collaboration with our law enforcement partners, to ensuring that brazen gang violence has no place in our communities.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: "The defendants stand accused of endangering the streets of New York City with violence and defrauding both taxpayers and small business owners in their unlawful pursuit of wealth and influence.  HSI NY is proud to work alongside our dedicated law enforcement partners in preventing these criminals from causing further harm.  HSI NY remains steadfast in its mission to apprehend violent gang members and disrupt their criminal enterprises."

USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said: “These gang members allegedly led a criminal enterprise, financially exploiting their victims to fund their gang activities and live a lavish lifestyle.  This RICO indictment and investigation uncovered the despicable nature in which these gangs operate, highlighting their ruthless behavior and disrespectful attitude for the communities where they commit their crimes.  Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will spare no resource to bring these individuals to justice, ensuring they pay for their crimes, while keeping the streets of New York safe from these criminal acts.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “Targeting and dismantling gangs, and preventing the crime and violence so often associated with their illegal activities, continue to be among the highest priorities for the NYPD and our law enforcement partners.  And we will remain relentless in our efforts to identify and arrest anyone who involves themselves in such senseless acts in our city.  I commend and thank everyone involved from USPIS, HSI, FBI, and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for their dedication and effort on this important case.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court:[1]

KAYSHAWN MASSOP, GREG BROWN, CARL HENRY, and AMARI JACKSON are members of a racketeering conspiracy known as the Ski-Ball Gang. 

On January 31, 2020, HENRY, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing his position in the Ski-Ball Gang enterprise, participated in and facilitated the attempted murder of a rival gang member in the Bronx, New York.

On August 23, 2020, HENRY and JACKSON, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their position in the Ski-Ball Gang enterprise, participated in and facilitated the attempted murder of a rival gang member in the Bronx, New York.

On August 27, 2020, BROWN, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing his position in the Ski-Ball Gang enterprise, participated in and facilitated the attempted murder of rival gang members in the Bronx, New York.

On August 27, 2020, MASSOP, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing his position in the Ski-Ball Gang enterprise, participated in and facilitated the assault of rival gang members in the Bronx, New York.

On June 25, 2021, MASSOP and BROWN, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their position in the Ski-Ball Gang enterprise, participated in and facilitated the attempted murder of rival gang members in the Bronx, New York.

On January 13, 2022, BROWN, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing his position in the Ski-Ball Gang enterprise, participated in and facilitated a gunpoint robbery in Yonkers, New York.

From at least in or about 2019 through at least in or about 2022, MASSOP, BROWN, HENRY, and JACKSON participated in a bank and wire fraud conspiracy, which included the misuses of others’ means of identification.

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A chart containing the names, charges, and minimum and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.  The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, HSI, USPIS, and the NYPD.  Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Labor for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division and Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Klein, Andrew Chan, Christy Slavik, and Ben Arad are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.