Brian Hernandez, Witness Retaliation, New York 2023

Trinitarios Gang Member Convicted of Witness Retaliation in Brooklyn NY

A federal jury in Brooklyn, New York has convicted a member of the notorious Trinitarios gang for his role in an assault carried out at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on December 3, 2023. Brian Hernandez, a/k/a “Malaki,” was found guilty of witness retaliation following a lengthy trial that shed light on the gang’s brutal tactics.

Hernandez, a 31-year-old Brooklyn resident, was one of several Trinitarios gang members who attacked a fellow inmate at the detention center in an attempt to silence him as a witness in a separate case. The victim suffered serious injuries in the assault, which was caught on surveillance footage and played for the jury during the trial.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Hernandez and his co-conspirators had been planning the attack for weeks, using coded language and secret meetings to avoid detection by authorities. The gang’s violent behavior has been linked to several high-profile crimes in the New York City area, and law enforcement officials have praised the conviction as a major blow to the Trinitarios’ operations.

The conviction comes as part of a larger crackdown on gang activity in New York City. The Southern District of New York, led by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, has been working closely with local law enforcement agencies to dismantle the Trinitarios and other gangs that have plagued the city for years.

Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on [sentence date] and faces up to 20 years in prison for his role in the assault. His conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by gang violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.

The Trinitarios gang has been linked to numerous violent crimes in the New York City area, including murders, assaults, and robberies. The organization’s brutal tactics have earned them a reputation as one of the most feared gangs in the city.

The conviction of Brian Hernandez is a significant victory for law enforcement and a testament to the bravery of the victim who came forward as a witness in the case. As the Southern District of New York continues to crack down on gang activity, it is clear that those who engage in violent behavior will be held accountable for their actions.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Juan Salinas-Villarreal, Wire Fraud, Texas 2023

Jul 1, 1974

Violent Crime

Twaine M. Willie, Unprovoked Physical Assault, New Mexico 2018

May 22, 2019

Violent Crime

Iowa Murder Rate Drops, National Violent Crime Increases 2011

Jul 1, 2011

Violent Crime

Smith's Illicit Empire Crumbles in Federal Court

Jul 1, 2011