Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop: Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop BRONX, YORK,  APRIL 4- Gun dealers, who set up shop near the entrance to the Bronx Zoo, were indicted on ...

Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop

Cops, DA Close Bronx Zoo Gun Shop

BRONX, YORK,  APRIL 4- Gun dealers, who set up shop near the entrance to the Bronx Zoo, were indicted on weapons charges stemming from sales to undercover cops.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., and New York City Police Department Commissioner William J. Bratton announced the indictments of Javon Burgess, a/k/a “Black,” 36, and Paul Lee, a/k/a “Gangsta,” 24, for selling 39 illegal guns, ammunition, and large capacity magazines to undercover police detectives posing as Manhattan-based gun dealers. Burgess is charged with multiple counts of criminal sale of a firearm in the first, second, and third Degrees, criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees, and conspiracy in the fourth degree. Lee is charged with multiple counts of criminal sale of a firearm in the first and third degrees, criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees, and conspiracy in the fourth degree.

“Gun violence continues to be a serious problem for our city’s teens – kids are buying guns, kids are using guns, and kids are dying from guns,” said District Attorney Vance. “Just two days ago, my office secured a conviction against Robert Cartagena for fatally shooting Tayshana ‘Chicken’ Murphy, an 18-year-old star of her high school basketball team. Any crime prevention effort has to include stopping gun traffickers from giving young people easy access to dangerous weapons. My office’s increased focus on fighting gun violence, as well the excellent work of the NYPD, has allowed us to bring far more gun trafficking cases in recent years. Since the creation of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit of the DA’s Office in 2010, our prosecutors have secured 25 convictions for criminal sale of a firearm in the fFirst or second degree. This is an increase from two convictions on these charges during the previous four-year period – a increase of 1,150 percent.”

Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said: “These indictments underscore the proliferation of illegal firearms that stretch from the south to our city, thus creating the ‘Iron Pipeline’ and the community gun tactic used by criminals. Today’s cases are indicative of how criminals traffic firearms that are eventually used against young children, members of law enforcement and the community. Stopping gun violence and the illegal distribution of firearms is a focal point that will require continued collaboration with our law enforcement partners to bring criminals like these to justice. I would like to thank the NYPD Firearm’s Investigations Unit and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for their relentless efforts in this investigation.”

According to the indictment, from approximately February 2013 to September 2013, Burgess sold 26 operable guns, as well as ammunition and large capacity magazines, to an undercover police detective. The firearms, which he sold for approximately $1,000 per weapon, included a Tec-9 assault weapon and other semi-automatic pistols. Burgess is accused of selling many of these weapons in broad daylight, with five of the sales taking place near the entrance of the Bronx Zoo. The defendant obtained these guns in South Carolina, and requested that the undercover detective send payment to him in South Carolina for one of the sales through a Western Union money transfer.

In a separate case, according to the indictment, from approximately May 2013 to December 2013, Lee sold 13 operable guns to another undercover police detective. The weapons, which he sold for $550 to $900 per gun, included a sawed-off shotgun and an AP-9 assault weapon. Lee sold the weapons to the undercover detective either in East Harlem or near Co-op City in the Bronx, with some of the sales occurring in broad daylight.

The investigations were conducted jointly by the Manhattan DA’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit (VCEU) and the NYPD’s Firearms Investigation Unit. Since its formation in 2010, the VCEU has brought 19 indictments against 57 gun traffickers and recovered more than 875 illegal guns. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Members of ‘Murda’ Gang Charged with Terrorizing M...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Members of ‘Murda’ Gang Charged with Terrorizing M...: Members of ‘Murda’ Gang Charged with Terrorizing Mott Haven BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 3 - US Attorney Preet Bharara, announced charges aga...

Members of ‘Murda’ Gang Charged with Terrorizing Mott Haven

Members of ‘Murda’ Gang Charged with Terrorizing Mott Haven

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 3- US Attorney Preet Bharara, 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. The MMG gang members are charged with racketeering, narcotics, and firearm offenses.

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

Manhattan U.S. Attorney 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.”

ICE HSI Special Agent-in-Charge James T. Hayes said: “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.”

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.”

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 their children can now play in the area that these crew members once used as their own personal battle ground, and that these crews have been removed from their midst. 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, 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.

Tags: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Bharara, Murda Moore Gangstas, Mott Haven

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rapist

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Rapist: Phony Super Rapes Tenant  By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 3-  Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a rapist ...

Rapist

Phony Super Rapes Tenant 

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, APRIL 3-  Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to catch a rapist who posed as a building’s super to gain access to his victim.

At around 1:15 a.m. on March 24, a 25-year-old woman heard a knock on her door at her Bedford Park building. Speaking in Spanish, the suspect claimed to be the building’s superintendent and there was a gas leak in the apartment. As the woman opened the door, the suspect pushed his way inside with a handgun. He pistol whipped the woman and raped her. 

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned Hispanic male who is 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. 

All calls are confidential.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Home Invaders Sought

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Home Invaders Sought: Home Invaders Sought Suspects Sought in Cedar Avenue Home Invasion By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK,  APRIL 2- Investigators are looking a...