HSI joins New York task force to arrest 20 gang members

NEW YORK — Alleged members and associates of the Bloods gang in Newburgh, N.Y., (the Newburgh Bloods) and members of a related crack cocaine dealing conspiracy were charged with racketeering, narcotics, robbery and firearms offenses. The superseding indictment charges members and associates of the gang with, among other things, two murders, six armed assaults, and/or attempted murders, and the use, carrying, and possession of firearms. These charges stem from an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York State Police, the City of Newburgh Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

According to the indictments filed in federal court:

The original indictment unsealed on May 13, 2010, charged 60 defendants with drug distribution offenses, many of whom were part of the Newburgh Bloods. The superseding indictment includes charges against 20 individuals – 11 new defendants and nine defendants from the original indictment.

All of these defendants were either members of the Newburgh Bloods or associated with the gang through their participation in a crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy. The superseding indictment is the latest result of a long-term investigation, dubbed, "Operation Blood Drive," conducted by federal and local law enforcement officers working with the U.S. Attorney's Office. The operation used confidential informants, undercover officers and surreptitious surveillance to infiltrate the Newburgh Bloods' violent and drug trafficking activities in Newburgh.

According to the superseding indictment, a criminal organization known as the "Bloods" was operating in Newburgh. The Bloods is a nationwide criminal organization that is organized into sub-groups known as "sets." Among the sets operating in Newburgh, were the "Bounty Hunter Bloods," "G-Shine," "5-9 Brim," "Stone" and the "9 Trey Bloods." Members often further identified themselves by the street on which they grew up or lived. Although members of the Newburgh Bloods belonged to different sets, these individuals and sets often coordinated, collaborated, and worked together and with each other as a single organization.

Within sets of the Newburgh Bloods, certain individuals had "rank," which meant that they were among the leaders of their sets. Any member of the Newburgh Bloods with rank had certain authority over any other member of the gang, irrespective of set. For example, Newburgh Bloods with rank could call meetings of all the Newburgh Bloods for which attendance was mandatory. At these meetings, members discussed, among other things, their criminal activities. Members of the Newburgh Bloods with rank could also direct punishments against other members or against non-members. Some of these punishments required individuals to be assaulted or killed.

The superseding indictment charges that the Newburgh Bloods gang was a racketeering enterprise, pursuant to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"), the purposes of which included the distribution and sale of crack cocaine, and preserving and protecting the power, territory, and profits of the Newburgh Bloods through murder, attempted murder, other acts of violence, and threats of violence. Fifteen defendants are charged with participating in the racketeering enterprise. The indictment alleges that members of the Newburgh Bloods committed and attempted to commit violent acts in aid of the enterprise, including:

• Anthony Boykin, Charles Byrd, and Maurice Hagan are charged with the conspiracy to murder and the attempted murder of a victim in the vicinity of 25 Lutheran Street in Newburgh, on Aug. 24, 2008.
• Anthony Boykin, Charles Corbin, Taylor Fields, Maurice Hagan, Robert Herring, and Rahsaan Melvin are charged with the conspiracy to murder and the attempted murder of a second victim in the vicinity of 191 Chambers Street in Newburgh, on Sept. 20, 2008.
• Marco Boykin, Charles Byrd, Charles Corbin, Robert Herring, and David Jacklyn are charged with the conspiracy to murder and the attempted murder of a third victim in the vicinity of 52 Benkard Avenue in Newburgh, on Oct. 5, 2008.
• John Nelson and Danielle Williams are charged with the conspiracy to murder and the attempted murder of a fourth victim in Newburgh, on Jan. 31, 2009.
• Anthony Boykin, Marco Boykin, and Antwan Robinson are charged with the conspiracy to murder and the murder of Lamont Young in the vicinity of Lander Street and First Street in Newburgh, on March 4, 2009.
• Anthony Boykin, Marco Boykin, John Canaday, Charles Corbin, Taylor Fields, Maurice Hagan, Robert Herring, Joseph McLean and Justin Simmons are charged with the conspiracy to murder and the murder of Tyrik Legette in the vicinity of 156 Lander Street in Newburgh, on April 30, 2009.
• John Canaday, Taylor Fields and Antwan Robinson are charged with conspiracy to rob and the robbery of a suspected narcotics dealer in the vicinity of Chambers Street and First Street, Newburgh, on June 2, 2009.
• Justin Simmons is charged with committing an assault in aid of racketeering by shooting a victim in the vicinity of 146 Lander Street in Newburgh, on July 17, 2009.
• Joseph McLean and Rahsaan Melvin are charged with committing an assault in aid of racketeering by shooting a victim in the vicinity of Lander Street between Farrington and South Streets in Newburgh, on March 10, 2010.

All 20 defendants are also charged with conspiring to distribute narcotics, and 17 are charged with using, carrying and possessing firearms during and in relation to the narcotics conspiracy. The Newburgh Bloods operated drug markets at certain locations in Newburgh, from which they distributed cocaine base, commonly known as "crack," among other drugs. During and in relation to the drug distribution conspiracy, members of the Newburgh Bloods used, carried and possessed firearms.

In a coordinated operation earlier today, officers and agents arrested 12 defendants. Eight additional defendants were previously arrested.