Member for the Elite Assassin Millas Gang Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Firearms Offenses Involving Murder and Assault In-Aid-Of Racketeering

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Tyshawn Corbett, also known as “Reck,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 45 years in prison.  In September 2022, the defendant pleaded guilty to three firearm offenses involving murder or assault in-aid-of racketeering, each of which carried a mandatory consecutive term of 10 years. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department, announced the sentence. 

“For years, Corbett inflicted violence on rivals and terrorized the East New York community with impunity, but with today’s sentence, he has been punished for his repeated, flagrant disrespect for the law,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “My Office is deeply committed to combating gang violence and will continue to work tirelessly with federal and local law enforcement to dismantle these groups.” 

“Everyone who was subjected to the intimidation and brutality perpetrated by Mr. Corbett can breathe easier today with news of this meaningful prison sentence,” stated NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “The NYPD, in close partnership with our colleagues at the FBI and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, will continue to focus its resources on the relatively small number of criminals responsible for driving the violence in New York City. Neither we nor the people we serve will ever stand for our neighborhoods to be overrun by illegal drugs, guns, and associated gang violence, and I commend the investigators and prosecutors involved in this case for their steadfast commitment to our public safety mission.”

According to court filings and transcripts, Corbett was a long-time member of the East New York-based Elite Assassin Millas (E.A.M.), a set of the Bloods street gang that operated primarily in East New York.  The gang made money through fraud and drug dealing, particularly sales of crack cocaine and marijuana.  The gang’s members murdered or attempted to murder its rivals to maintain its power.  E.A.M. even referred to its East New York-based chapter as “Gun Town” for the level of violence its members and associates committed and perpetuated.  

Within the gang, Corbett developed a reputation as a “shooter” for being willing to shoot and kill other people.  In this case, Corbett pleaded guilty to committing three shootings.  In April 2015, Corbett shot and killed Michael Tenorio.  Then, between 2016 and 2018, Corbett engaged in extensive efforts to stalk and kill another individual (John Doe #1).  Corbett attempted to shoot and kill John Doe #1 in March 2016 but John Doe #1 survived the shooting.  When that murder attempt failed, Corbett and other members of E.A.M. stalked John Doe #1 to try to kill him again.  On June 28, 2018, Corbett located John Doe #1 and fired at him repeatedly at close range, striking him approximately six times.  John Doe #1 survived the shooting but was left paralyzed.  Evidence presented during the trial of a co-defendant showed that Corbett participated in at least four additional shootings over the years.

The government’s case has led to the convictions of six members and associates of E.A.M. in addition to Corbett, including E.A.M.’s leader, Quandel Smothers, who was convicted at trial and is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2024.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Siegel, Genny Ngai and Matthew Galeotti are in charge of the prosecution. 

The Defendant:

TYSHAWN CORBETT (also known as “Reck”)
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-213 (KAM)