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Press Release

Thirty-Six Members Of Two Rival Manhattan Drug Trafficking Organizations Operating In NYCHA Housing Projects Charged In Federal Court With Narcotics Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

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

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Diego Rodriguez, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and William J. Bratton, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of two Indictments charging a total of 36 members of two rival Manhattan-based drug trafficking organizations for narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses (the “Washington Houses Indictment” and the “East River Indictment”).  These two drug trafficking organizations operate out of three New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) developments in East Harlem: the President George Washington Houses (the “Washington Houses”), the East River Houses (“East River”), and the Metro North Plaza (“Metro North”). 

The Washington Houses Indictment charges 20 members of the Washington Houses Drug Trafficking Organization (“DTO”) in the case of United States v. Hasoan Alto, a/k/a “Hass,” et al., which has been assigned to United States District Judge Victor Marrero.  The East River Indictment charges 16 members of the East River DTO in the case of United States v. Charles Kenyatta, a/k/a “Charlie Cee,” et al., which has been assigned to United States District Judge Alison J. Nathan.  Of the 36 defendants charged in both the Washington Houses and East River Indictments, 29 are currently in custody, including 26 defendants who were arrested earlier last night and today as part of a coordinated takedown between the FBI and NYPD.  The defendants already in custody will be presented today before United States Magistrate Henry B. Pitman. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “For far too long, NYCHA residents have had to live with drug dealing and violence as part of their everyday lives.  With the arrests of 36 alleged members of violent drug trafficking groups, we seek to stem the flow of drugs and the cycle of violence plaguing the Washington Houses, East River Houses and Metro North Plaza.  As the indictments allege, these defendants trafficked in all types of drugs, including heroin, crack cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana; peddled in all areas in and around the housing projects, including near schools and in city hospitals; and protected their lucrative businesses with guns and violence.  Residents of public housing – like all residents of New York City – deserve safe streets, free of drugs and violence.  I thank our partners at the FBI and NYPD for their work in this investigation and for their commitment to making our city and our housing projects safer and drug free.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez said:  “Today we carried out a coordinated operation to arrest more than 30 members of two drug trafficking organizations who violently carried out their illegal business dealings in the East Harlem area.  Getting those who bring guns and drugs in to our neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals is the only way we can get violence off the city streets that affects everyday citizens. The FBI will continue our partnership with the NYPD to investigate and bring those who are part of such criminal organizations to justice.”

Commissioner William J. Bratton said:  "For years the residents of East Harlem have been subjected to the violence and fear associated with the rampant illegal narcotics activity in this area. Today's arrests with the FBI and prosecution by the office of the US Attorney for the Southern District will undoubtedly result in a safer East Harlem community."

As alleged in the Indictments unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and in other court papers[1]:

United States v. Hasoan Alto, a/k/a “Hass,” et al.

The Washington Houses are a housing development operated by NYCHA in East Harlem.  From at least in or about 2015 up to and including in or about April 2016, HASOAN ALTO, a/k/a “Hass,” ANTONIO REYES, a/k/a “Tone,” a/k/a “Capo,” CARLOS VEGA, a/k/a “Gotti,” JASON KELLY, a/k/a “Beast,” ANTOINE BOYCE, a/k/a “Fetty Baller,” AARON RICE, a/k/a “Goon,” TYRONE SCHULTZ, a/k/a “Fats,” ZAGORA DAVIS, a/k/a “Bianca,” JOSE MEDINA, a/k/a “JoJo,” JASON JARVIS, a/k/a “Slim,” JONATHAN ANGULO, a/k/a “J.O.,” TAQUAN SANDERS, a/k/a “Goose,” a/k/a “Goo,” ANGEL VILLAFANE, DEVIN RODRIGUEZ, LEON ROBINSON, a/k/a “Pop,” JOSHUA NEGRON, TAHIEM HOLMES, NIJEL RICHARDSON, NATHANIEL COLEMAN, and AISA TOMPKINS (the “Washington Houses Defendants”), operated a drug trafficking organization (the “Washington Houses DTO”) in and around the Washington Houses.  The Washington Houses DTO trafficked in a variety of narcotics – including crack cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, and marijuana on a daily basis.  The Washington Houses Defendants sold narcotics in areas frequented by New York City’s most vulnerable citizens, including in and within the vicinity of New York City schools and inside two New York City hospitals.    

In addition, members of the Washington Houses DTO protected and maintained their drug business through the firearms and acts of violence.  For example, in or about 2016, ANTONIO REYES, a/k/a “Tone,” a/k/a “Capo,” and JONATHAN ANGULO, a/k/a “J.O.,” the defendants, discussed plans to shoot another individual because it was their “block.”  Similarly, ANTOINE BOYCE, a/k/a “Fetty Baller,” bragged about having assaulted another individual and having knocked him unconscious.  Also in or about 2016, DEVIN RODRIGUEZ, with REYES’s help, robbed another drug dealer at gunpoint. 

Count One of the Washington Houses Indictment charges HASOAN ALTO, a/k/a “Hass,” ANTONIO REYES, a/k/a “Tone,” a/k/a “Capo,” CARLOS VEGA, a/k/a “Gotti,” JASON KELLY, a/k/a “Beast,” ANTOINE BOYCE, a/k/a “Fetty Baller,” AARON RICE, a/k/a “Goon,” TYRONE SCHULTZ, a/k/a “Fats,” ZAGORA DAVIS, a/k/a “Bianca,” JOSE MEDINA, a/k/a “JoJo,” JASON JARVIS, a/k/a “Slim,” JONATHAN ANGULO, a/k/a “J.O.,” TAQUAN SANDERS, a/k/a “Goose,” a/k/a “Goo,” ANGEL VILLAFANE, DEVIN RODRIGUEZ, LEON ROBINSON, a/k/a “Pop,” JOSHUA NEGRON, TAHIEM HOLMES, NIJEL RICHARDSON, NATHANIEL COLEMAN, and AISA TOMPKINS, with participating in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics, including crack cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, and marijuana.

Count Two of the Washington Houses Indictment charges ANTONIO REYES, a/k/a “Tone,” a/k/a “Capo,” DEVIN RODRIGUEZ, JONATHAN ANGULO, a/k/a “J.O. ,” AARON RICE, a/k/a “Goon,” and ANTOINE BOYCE, a/k/a “Fetty Baller,” with possessing a firearm in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy charged in Count One.

United States v. Charles Kenyatta, a/k/a “Charlie Cee,” et al.

In addition to the Washington Houses, NYCHA also operates two other housing developments in East Harlem: East River and Metro North.  CHARLES KENYATTA, a/k/a “Charlie Cee,” KASEEM WILSON, a/k/a “Kas,” a/k/a “Brown,” EFRAIN SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Solo,” SAMUEL RIVERA, a/k/a “Jazz,” a/k/a “Mulah,” a/k/a “Sammy,” FNU LNU, a/k/a “Sha,” KENYATTA FURS, a/k/a “Kenny Gilmore,” IVETTE COLON, WILLIAM ROBERTS, a/k/a “Mel Black,” TERRELL BLAND, a/k/a “Relly Rell,” a/k/a “Cash,” DAVON STEWART, a/k/a “Q,” MARCUS TOXEY, a/k/a “Bee Bee,” CARL ZELLER, a/k/a “Tone,” SHARON HILL, BRYAN DAFFIN, a/k/a “Q,” a/k/a “BJ,” ABRAHAM CUCUTA, a/k/a “Holiday,” and BISHAUNTI POLAND, a/k/a “Bino” (the “East River Defendants”).  From at least in or about 2012 up to and including in or about April 2016, the East River Defendants operated another drug trafficking organization (the “East River DTO”) in and around East River and Metro North.  Like the Washington Houses DTO, the East River DTO trafficked in several narcotics, including crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, on a daily basis.  Furthermore, the East River Defendants’ narcotics trafficking activity extended to, among other places, public streets and the vicinity of New York City schools. 

Also like the Washington Houses Defendants, the East River Defendants planned and engaged in violent acts and possessed firearms to protect and maintain the East River DTO’s illegal businesses.  For example, in or about 2016, CHARLES KENYATTA, a/k/a “Charlie Cee,” planned to rob a victim in a barbershop in the area. TERRELL BLAND, a/k/a “Relly Rell,” a/k/a “Cash,” claimed in social media that individuals who were not part of the East River DTO would be “target[s].”  KASEEM WILSON, a/k/a “Kas,” a/k/a “Brown,” also possessed a firearm in the area of where the East River DTO operated in furtherance of the charged drug dealing conspiracy.          

Count One of the East River Indictment charges CHARLES KENYATTA, a/k/a “Charlie Cee,” KASEEM WILSON, a/k/a “Kas,” a/k/a “Brown,” EFRAIN SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Solo,” SAMUEL RIVERA, a/k/a “Jazz,” a/k/a “Mulah,” a/k/a “Sammy,” FNU LNU, a/k/a “Sha,” KENYATTA FURS, a/k/a “Kenny Gilmore,” IVETTE COLON, WILLIAM ROBERTS, a/k/a “Mel Black,” TERRELL BLAND, a/k/a “Relly Rell,” a/k/a “Cash,” DAVON STEWART, a/k/a “Q,” MARCUS TOXEY, a/k/a “Bee Bee,” CARL ZELLER, a/k/a “Tone,” SHARON HILL, BRYAN DAFFIN, a/k/a “Q,” a/k/a “BJ,” ABRAHAM CUCUTA, a/k/a “Holiday,” and BISHAUNTI POLAND, a/k/a “Bino,” with participating in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics, including crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

 

Count Two of the East River Indictment charges KASEEM WILSON, a/k/a “Kas,” a/k/a “Brown,” with possessing a firearm in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy charged in Count One.

 

*                      *                     *

           

Charts containing the names, ages, residences, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The 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. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sidhardha Kamaraju, Max Nicholas, and Jane Kim are in charge of the prosecution.

 

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

       ###                                                                        

 

 United States v. Hasoan Alto, a/k/a “Hass,” et al., 16 Cr 272 (VM)

 

 

COUNT

CHARGE

DEFENDANTS

MAX. PENALTIES

        1

Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

 

21 U.S.C. § 846

HASOAN ALTO

ANTONIO REYES CARLOS VEGA

JASON KELLY

ANTOINE BOYCE

AARON RICE

TYRONE SCHULTZ

ZAGORA DAVIS

LEON ROBINSON

JOSE MEDINA

JASON JARVIS

JONATHAN ANGULO

TAQUAN SANDERS ANGEL VILLAFANE DEVIN RODRIGUEZ LEON ROBINSON JOSHUA NEGRON TAHIEM HOLMES

NIJEL RICHARDSON NATHANIEL COLEMAN AISA TOMPKINS

Life in prison

 

 

2

Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Narcotics Trafficking

 

18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A)

ANTONIO REYES

DEVIN RODRIGUEZ JONATHAN ANGULO AARON RICE

ANTOINE BOYCE

Life in prison

 

 

 

 

DEFENDANT

AGE

RESIDENCE

HASOAN ALTO,

   a/k/a “Hass”

41

New York, New York

ANTONIO REYES,

   a/k/a “Tone,”

   a/k/a “Capo”

24

New York, New York

CARLOS VEGA,

   a/k/a “Gotti”

31

New York, New York

JASON KELLY,

   a/k/a “Beast”

26

New York, New York

ANTOINE BOYCE,

   a/k/a “Fetty Baller”

26

New York, New York

AARON RICE,

   a/k/a “Goon”

24

New York, New York

TYRONE SCHULTZ,”

   a/k/a “Fats”

44

New York, New York

ZAGORA DAVIS,

   a/k/a “Bianca”         

25

New York, New York

JOSE MEDINA,

   a/k/a “JoJo”

34

New York, New York

JASON JARVIS,

   a/k/a “Slim”

28

New York, New York

JONATHAN ANGULO,

   a/k/a “J.O.”

23

New York, New York

TAQUAN SANDERS,

   a/k/a “Goose,”

   a/k/a “Goo”

29

New York, New York

ANGEL VILLAFANE

32

New York, New York

DEVIN RODRIGUEZ

22

New York, New York

LEON ROBINSON,

   a/k/a “Pop”

43

New York, New York

JOSHUA NEGRON,

34

New York, New York

TAHIEM HOLMES

25

New York, New York

NIJEL RICHARDSON

27

New York, New York

NATHANIEL COLEMAN

25

New York, New York

AISA TOMPKINS

25

New York, New York

 

United States v. Charles Kenyatta, a/k/a “Charlie Cee,” et al., 16 Cr 273 (AJN)

 

COUNT

CHARGE

DEFENDANTS

MAX. PENALTIES

1

Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

 

21 U.S.C. § 846

CHARLES KENYATTA KASEEM WILSON EFRAIN SANCHEZ

SAMUEL RIVERA

FNU LNU

KENYATTA FURS

IVETTE COLON WILLIAM ROBERTS

TERRELL BLAND

DAVON STEWART

MARCUS TOXEY

CARL ZELLER

SHARON HILL

BRYAN DAFFIN ABRAHAM CUCUTA

BISHAUNTI POLAND

Life in prison

 

 

 

2

Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Narcotics Trafficking

 

18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)

KASEEM WILSON

Life in prison

 

 

 

 

DEFENDANT

AGE

RESIDENCE

CHARLES KENYATTA,

   a/k/a “Charlie Cee”

24

New York, New York

KASEEM WILSON,

   a/k/a “Kas,”

   a/k/a “Brown”

25

New York, New York

EFRAIN SANCHEZ,

   a/k/a “Solo”

23

New York, New York

SAMUEL RIVERA,

   a/k/a “Jazz,”

   a/k/a “Mulah,”

   a/k/a “Sammy”

24

New York, New York

FNU LNU,

   a/k/a “Sha”

--

New York, New York

KENYATTA FURS,

   a/k/a “Kenny Gilmore”

39

New York, New York

IVETTE COLON

51

New York, New York

WILLIAM ROBERTS,

   a/k/a “Mel Black”

41

New York, New York

TERRELL BLAND,

   a/k/a “Relly Rell,”

   a/k/a “Cash”

20

New York, New York

DAVON STEWART,

   a/k/a “Q”

30

New York, New York

MARCUS TOXEY,

   a/k/a “Bee Bee”

28

New York, New York

CARL ZELLER,

   a/k/a “Tone”

36

New York, New York

SHARON HILL

49

New York, New York

BRYAN DAFFIN,

   a/k/a “Q,”

   a/k/a “BJ”

19

New York, New York

ABRAHAM CUCUTA,

   a/k/a “Holiday”

32

New York, New York

BISHAUNTI POLAND,

   a/k/a “Bino”

30

New York, New York

 

 

 

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictments, and the description of the Indictments set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Updated April 19, 2016

Topic
Drug Trafficking
Press Release Number: 16-090