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Press Release
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.