TAHEEM SMITH, a 34-year-old member of the Bloods street gang, was arraigned today in federal court in Central Islip on an 11-count indictment charging him with racketeering, murders in aid of racketeering of David Arzu and Janelle Curella, robbery, firearms charges and narcotics possession and distribution.
According to the indictment, on September 2, 2016, Smith and his co-conspirator approached David Arzu, Janelle Curella, and two friends walking toward the Long Island Railroad Station in Bay Shore. During a struggle, Arzu and Curella were shot and died of their wounds a short time later.
“As alleged, the defendant murdered an innocent man and woman to increase and maintain his own standing in the ruthless Bloods street gang,” stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue working unrelentingly to end the violent careers of gang members like Smith and decimate gangs like the Bloods to which they belong.”
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York Field Office (HSI), and Geraldine Hart, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the charges.
“Violent gangs believe they can act with impunity, as if their actions don’t impact innocent people,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “Mr. Smith allegedly killed two people just to rob them. No amount of money is worth a human life. Our FBI Long Island Gang Task Force and law enforcement partners continue our determination to stop all illegal gang activity from destroying the peace in communities, and bring the members and leadership to justice.”
Smith was arrested yesterday and was ordered remanded pending trial by Magistrate Judge Brown. If convicted, Smith faces up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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