Nearly Two Dozen Arrested in Bronx "Murda Moore Gangstas" Takedown

Nearly Two Dozen Arrested in Bronx "Murda Moore Gangstas" Takedown

By Joe Valiquette
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2014 | Updated 5:07 PM EDT

[IMG]http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/328*184/DEA-Badge-Generic.jpg[/IMG]

NBCSanDiego

The DEA also said it found a meth laboratory inside the home, where the drug was allegedly being converted into crystal or "ice" form.

More than 20 members of a violent Bronx-based drug trafficking crew known as the Murda Moore Gangstas were arrested Wednesday by federal agents and the NYPD, law enforcement officials say.The federal charges include drug trafficking and firearms violations, officials say.

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DEA, IRS and the NYPD began rounding up the suspects early Wednesday and were processing the gang members at the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx.

The Murda Moore Gangstas gang is based in and around the Moore Houses in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The suspects in custody will appear in federal court later Wednesday.

Court papers filed in federal court in Manhattan describe the gang as a criminal enterprise involved in street robberies, assaults, and sales of crack cocaine, marijuana and other drugs.

Gang members controlled the territory in and around the projects through violence including shootings, robberies, assaults and narcotics trafficking. The gang members have also been involved in continuing feuds with several rival Bronx gangs.

“This organization’s alleged illicit activities of narcotics and weapons trafficking created a nightmare of crime and violence in the neighborhoods where they operated,” said ICE Special Agent in Charge James T. Hayes.

“Law-abiding residents in surrounding areas of the Moore Housing projects had been caught in the crossfire of violence associated with drug trafficking,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt. “Today’s arrests are the second wave of an investigation focused on reclaiming the Mott Haven community from the carnage, crime and fear that are linked to the Murda Moore Gangstas’ drug operations.”

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...253546001.html

News

24 Reputed Members Of Murder Moore Gangstas Arrested

April 2, 2014 4:19 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Two dozen reputed members of a Bronx gang have been arrested, accused of trafficking drugs and guns and terrorizing Mott Haven.

As 1010 WINS’ Carol D’Auria reported, the Murda Moore Gangstas allegedly controlled the area in and around the Moore Houses development. Those arrested have been charged with racketeering, drugs and weapons offenses.

“They fought with gangs operating at the Betances Houses, the Riverpark Towers Houses, the Millbrook Housing Projects and the Highbridge Gardens Houses,” James Hayes, special agent-in-charge of Homeland Security Investigations, told D’Auria. “So this was the most ruthless criminal street gang operating in the drug trade in the Bronx.”

play

• 24 Reputed Members Of Murder Moore Gangstas Arrested
• WCBS 880's Carol D'Auria reports.

Hayes said the arrests, which came following a two-year multi-agency investigation, will send a message to other gangs and will keep the streets safer as law enforcement continues to gather evidence to bring down other dealers.

Twenty-one of the defendants — including five who were already in state or federal custody on other charges — were scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court Wednesday afternoon.

LINK: List of suspects and charges

According to the indictment, the Murda Moore Gangstas has operated since 2006 and its members were involved in street robberies, assaults and sales of crack cocaine, marijuana and other drugs.

“The Mott Haven community and residents in the Moore and St. Mary Park Houses will hopefully feel safer knowing that these criminal crew members have been removed from their midst, and allow their children to play in the area that they once used as their own personal battle ground,” NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said in a news release.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/...stas-arrested/

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Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Nearly Two Dozen Arrested in Bronx "Murda Moore Gangstas" Takedown

By Joe Valiquette
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2014 | Updated 5:07 PM EDT

[IMG]http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/328*184/DEA-Badge-Generic.jpg[/IMG]

NBCSanDiego

The DEA also said it found a meth laboratory inside the home, where the drug was allegedly being converted into crystal or "ice" form.

More than 20 members of a violent Bronx-based drug trafficking crew known as the Murda Moore Gangstas were arrested Wednesday by federal agents and the NYPD, law enforcement officials say.The federal charges include drug trafficking and firearms violations, officials say.

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DEA, IRS and the NYPD began rounding up the suspects early Wednesday and were processing the gang members at the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx.

The Murda Moore Gangstas gang is based in and around the Moore Houses in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The suspects in custody will appear in federal court later Wednesday.

Court papers filed in federal court in Manhattan describe the gang as a criminal enterprise involved in street robberies, assaults, and sales of crack cocaine, marijuana and other drugs.

Gang members controlled the territory in and around the projects through violence including shootings, robberies, assaults and narcotics trafficking. The gang members have also been involved in continuing feuds with several rival Bronx gangs.

“This organization’s alleged illicit activities of narcotics and weapons trafficking created a nightmare of crime and violence in the neighborhoods where they operated,” said ICE Special Agent in Charge James T. Hayes.

“Law-abiding residents in surrounding areas of the Moore Housing projects had been caught in the crossfire of violence associated with drug trafficking,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt. “Today’s arrests are the second wave of an investigation focused on reclaiming the Mott Haven community from the carnage, crime and fear that are linked to the Murda Moore Gangstas’ drug operations.”

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...253546001.html

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NOT TO FAR FROM ME IM IN THE 40 PRECINCT IT BAD

April 2, 2014
Contact: Public Information Officer
Number: 212-337-2906

24 Members of Bronx Street Gang Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy, Narcotics Trafficking, and Firearm Offenses

APR 02 (MANHATTAN, N.Y.) –James J. Hunt, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James T. Hayes, Jr., the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), William J. Bratton, the Commissioner of the Police Department for the City of New York (NYPD), and Thomas J. Cannon, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced charges against 24 members of a criminal organization, known as “Murda Moore Gangstas” (“MMG”), who controlled the area in and around the Moore Housing Projects, near East 149th Street and Jackson Avenue, in the Bronx, New York. The MMG gang members are charged with racketeering, narcotics, and firearm offenses.

Twenty-one of the defendants, including those taken into custody today and five of the defendants who were in state or federal custody on other charges, will be presented in Manhattan federal court this afternoon.

DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “Law enforcement’s collaboration and resources over the past two years led to the indictments of 24 members of the Murda Moore Gangsta crew on charges ranging from racketeering, narcotics and firearms felonies.

Law abiding residents in surrounding areas of the Moore Housing Projects had been caught in the crossfire of violence associated with drug trafficking. Today’s arrests are the second wave of an investigation focused on reclaiming the Mott Haven community from the carnage, crime and fear that are linked to the MMG drug operations.”

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Keeping our neighborhoods safe and secure from gang violence remains one of this Office’s highest priorities. Cases like this one, where we worked closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners to charge 24 leaders and members of a violent gang that allegedly terrorized the Moore Housing Projects in the Bronx, can make a big difference. All New Yorkers have the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their neighborhoods, whether they live in Mott Haven or Riverdale. That requires the combined efforts of law enforcement to make and prosecute cases like this one.”

“This organization’s alleged illicit activities of narcotics and weapons trafficking created a nightmare of crime and violence in the neighborhoods where they operated,” said James T. Hayes Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New York. “Only through continuous law enforcement cooperation can these criminals be taken off the streets and allow law-abiding citizens to reclaim their communities.”

NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton said: “The NYPD will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to track down street crews that commit violent crimes amongst law abiding citizens. The Mott Haven community and residents in the Moore and Saint Mary Park Houses will hopefully feel safer knowing that these criminal crew members have been removed from their midst, and allow their children to play in the area that they once used as their own personal battle ground. I want to thank the members of the NYPD's Bronx Gang Squad, 40th Precinct, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York for their efforts in bringing these criminals to justice.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon said: “Today’s arrests are convincing indicators that this investigation is far from over. We are pleased to be working with our fellow agencies to ensure that all of our respective resources are being utilized as efficiently as possible. In this way, this organization will be swiftly eradicated. The people of New York deserve nothing less.”

According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From 2006 through 2014, MMG has been a criminal enterprise consisting of over 20 gang members who were involved in street robberies, assaults, and sales of crack cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs. MMG was started by five individuals – including TEVIN MIZELL, a/k/a “Tev Gunz,” KEVIN MIZELL, a/k/a “Kev Gunz,” EDWIN SMITH, a/k/a “Ed Black,” and JOSHUA FLADGER, a/k/a “Millz,” the defendants – who are known, within MMG, as the “Top Five.” Later, other individuals, including RICHARD SHACKLEFORD, a/k/a “Sha,” and AMAR TAYLOR, a/k/a “Capo MMG,” the defendants, also grew into leadership roles within the enterprise. MMG members protected and controlled its territory in and around the Moore Housing Projects through violence, and committed various crimes within and around that territory, like shootings, robberies, assaults, and narcotics trafficking.

In particular, MMG members have been embroiled in a continuing violent feud with several rival crews and gangs located nearby in the Bronx, such as gangs from the following areas: (1) the Betances Houses (the “Lookin’ Real Good,” or “LRG,” gang); (2) the Riverpark Towers Houses (the “RPT” gang); (3) Millbrook Housing Project (the “Killbrook Up” and “Killbrook Down” gangs); and (4) Highbridge Gardens Houses (the “Young Flybridge” gang).

In addition, as stated, certain MMG members also sold narcotics in the Moore Houses, and prohibited and prevented outsiders and rival gang members from doing so in their territory. Similarly, many members of MMG committed street-level robberies, either of drug dealers or law-abiding citizens, in and around the Moore Houses. In furtherance of the gang’s activities – namely, the violence, the narcotics distribution and the robberies – members and associates of MMG obtained, possessed, and used firearms.

* * *

TEVIN MIZELL, a/k/a “Tev Gunz,” KEVIN MIZELL, a/k/a “Kev Gunz,” EDWIN SMITH, a/k/a “Ed Black,” JOSHUA FLADGER, a/k/a “Millz,” RICHARD SHACKLEFORD, a/k/a “Sha,” AMAR TAYLOR, a/k/a “Capo MMG,” RONATHAN FLADGER, a/k/a “Jeezy,” NOEL BIDO, a/k/a “Bigga,” HENNISON CURRY, a/k/a “Henny,” JOSEPH OTERO, a/k/a “Triple-H,” SHAWN ARNOLD MCFADDEN, a/k/a “Weezy,” DEQUAN BROWN, a/k/a “Dada,” TYRE DAVIS, a/k/a “Tye,” KAYMAR FRANCIS, a/k/a “Kayo,” JOSEPH HUNTLEY, a/k/a “Goonie,” ODANIS OZUNA, a/k/a “Jose Ozoria,” a/k/a “O,” JAMES ANDERSON, MARK GRAYSON, a/k/a “Biscuit,” MICHAEL JAMES, MALIK MCCOLLUM, a/k/a “Dot,” ROBERT WANNAMAKER, EDWARD BINYARD, a/k/a “E,” a/k/a “E-Wreck,” TAYVON KILPATRICK, a/k/a “Trayvon Wilson,” NICHOLAS ROSARIO, a/k/a “Nico Gunz,” the defendants, are all charged with conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise, the Murda Moora Gangstas street gang. In addition, 11 of these defendants are charged with one count of conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, marijuana, and MDMA, and 19 of these defendants are charged with using, carrying, possessing, and discharging firearms during the racketeering and narcotics conspiracies.
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.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard J. Sullivan.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the HSI New York El Dorado Task Force DEA group, the NYPD Bronx Gang Squad, the Internal Revenue Service, the ATF, and DOCCS. He added that the investigation is continuing.
The Office’s Violent Crimes Unit is overseeing the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan P. Poscablo, Santosh Aravind, and Andrew Bauer 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.

United States v. Tevin Mizell, et al., 14 Cr. 212 (RJS)

COUNT	CHARGE	MAXIMUM PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy	20 years in prison
2a	Narcotics conspiracy (Conspiracy to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana and MDMA)	Life in prison Mandatory minimum: 10 years in prison
2b	Narcotics conspiracy (Conspiracy to distribute 50 kilograms and more of marijuana, and a quantity of crack cocaine and MDMA)	20 years in prison
3	Possession and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to the racketeering and narcotics conspiracies	Life in prison Mandatory minimum: 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence

DEFENDANT	AGE	RESIDENCE	COUNTS CHARGED IN
Tevin Mizell	20	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Kevin Mizell	21	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Edwin Smith	21	Bronx, NY	1, 2b, 3
Joshua Fladger	21	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Richard Shackleford	25	Bronx, NY	1, 2a, 3
Amar Taylor	19	Bronx, NY	1, 2b, 3
Ronathan Fladger	25	Bronx, NY	1, 2a, 3
Noel Bido	20	Bronx, NY	1, 2b, 3
Hennison Curry	18	Bronx, NY	1, 2a, 3
Joseph Otero	19	Bronx, NY	1, 2a, 3
Shawn Arnold McFadden	24	Bronx, NY	1, 2a
Dequan Brown	18	Bronx, NY	1, 2a, 3
Tyre Davis	19	Bronx, NY	1, 2a, 3
Kaymar Francis	28	Bronx, NY	1, 2b
Joseph Huntley	18	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Odanis Ozuna	18	Bronx, NY	1, 3
James Anderson	23	Bronx, NY	1
Mark Grayson	18	Bronx, NY	1
Michael James	25	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Malik McCollum	20	Bronx, NY	1
Robert Wannamaker	20	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Edward Binyard	22	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Tayvon Kilpatrick	18	Bronx, NY	1, 3
Nicholas Rosario	23	Bronx, NY	1, 3

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.

http://www.justice.gov/dea/divisions...yc040214.shtml