Bronx Drug Mob Leaders Face Death Penalty for Murder

New York’s streets turned red with blood as Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the arrest of three drug kingpins: Sean Peter, Jason Campbell, and Steven Syder. All three are charged in the brutal October 2, 2012, murder of 19-year-old Brian Gray on the Bronx’s streets.

Peter, also known as ‘Huggie,’ Campbell, alias ‘Holiday’ or ‘Fish,’ and Syder, known as ‘Esteban,’ were today presented before Magistrate Judge James C. Francis IV in connection with the drug-related slaying. They are facing life sentences or even death for their alleged roles.

Bharara emphasized the gravity of the crime: “The defendants are charged with shooting and killing a young man on the streets of the Bronx to further their alleged narcotics business. Drug-related violence threatens the safety and security of all New Yorkers, and we will continue to make our streets and neighborhoods safe.”

William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, echoed these sentiments: “Drug dealers use violence and intimidation to assert their dominance over others they see as potential rivals in their territory. The community more fearful that the violence won’t stop. The FBI/NYPD Violent Crimes Task Force works day after day to prevent these criminals from returning to the streets.”

The NYPD’s Commissioner, James P. O’Neill, praised the efforts of law enforcement: “The NYPD will continue to target those who mar our communities with drugs and violence, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.” The defendants—Sean Peter (33), Jason Campbell (30), and Steven Syder (33)—are all from Bronx, New York.

The FBI-NYPD Joint Bank Robbery/Violent Crimes Task Force and the Teaneck, New Jersey, Police Department are credited with outstanding investigative work. Assistant United States Attorneys Sagar K. Ravi, Michael Gerber, and Hadassa Waxman lead the prosecution in this case. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations; the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.