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Press Release

Leader Of Newburgh Street Gang Admits To 2016 Murder

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ARDAE HINES, a/k/a “Young Money,” a/k/a “YM,” pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and distribution of narcotics in connection with his involvement in the August 1, 2016, murder of Deandric Little in Newburgh, New York.  As part of his guilty plea, HINES admitted that he knowingly and intentionally agreed to kill Little and that Little died as a result.  HINES pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “On August 1, 2016, Ardae Hines, a leader of the violent Southside street gang in Newburgh, directed a juvenile gang member to murder Deandric Little in what is considered to be Southside’s territory.  Today’s guilty plea, which comes nearly six years after Hines was initially arrested on federal racketeering charges shows that we will continue to vigorously pursue justice for as long as it takes and hold accountable those who commit acts of violence in our communities.  I commend the tenacity of our law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly to investigate Deandric Little’s murder.”

According to the allegations in the Superseding Information and other documents filed in federal court as well as statements made in public court proceedings:

From at least 2014 through June 2017, HINES was a member of the Southside Gang, a criminal enterprise centered in and around the intersection of South Street and Chambers Street in an area of Newburgh known as the “Southside.”  In order to enrich the members of the enterprise; preserve and protect the power, territory, and profits of the enterprise; and to keep victims and potential victims in fear of the enterprise, Southside members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts involving murder, assault, robbery, and other acts of violence; possessed and used firearms; distributed controlled substances, including crack cocaine and heroin; and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter and punish potential witnesses to their crimes.

On or about August 1, 2016, as part of his membership in Southside, ARDAE HINES orchestrated the murder of Deandric Little in Newburgh.  During the course of an argument with Little on South Street, the heart of Southside territory, HINES instructed a juvenile member of Southside to murder Little.  The juvenile shot Little, and Little died of his injuries soon thereafter. 

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ARDAE HINES, 34, of Newburgh, New York, pled guilty to narcotics trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  HINES will be sentenced before Judge Seibel later this year.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and the City of Newburgh Police Department.  Mr. Williams thanked the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for its invaluable ongoing assistance in the case.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the New York State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for their assistance in the case. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey Keenan, Jacqueline Kelly, and Samuel Raymond are in charge of the prosecution.

Contact

Nicholas Biase
(212) 637-2600

Updated May 10, 2023

Topic
Violent Crime
Press Release Number: 23-169