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Bushwick Crew Leaders Charged with Murder, Racketeering
A 19-count superseding indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging five new defendants, and four previously charged defendants, for their participation in a drug-trafficking enterprise based in Brooklyn and Queens, referred to in the indictment as the “Bushwick Crew.”
Eight defendants are charged with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate acts of murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion conspiracy, and heroin distribution conspiracy, and a ninth defendant is charged with murder in aid of racketeering.
The indictment alleges that the Bushwick Crew was involved in a large-scale heroin trafficking organization with Mexican cartel connections. Various members of the crew served as enforcers to protect its interests by arming themselves to escort drug traffickers, forcibly collecting drug debts, and committing acts of violence against anyone who interfered with the crew’s operations or offended its members.
The crimes alleged include the murder of Donte Williams, who was fatally shot in the stomach by Lance Goodwin during a street altercation in Bushwick on August 18, 2012. Goodwin was carrying the murder weapon when he was arrested one week later.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that the Bushwick Crew was responsible for the murders of Gary Lopez and Rudy Superville. On March 5, 2013, Lopez and Superville attempted to rob one of the crew’s members, but they were shot and killed.
The indictment also alleges that the Bushwick Crew was involved in a series of violent crimes, including kidnapping, robbery, and extortion. The crew’s members used violence to protect their interests and maintain power and control over the heroin trafficking operation.
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, and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department, announced the charges. “As alleged, the defendants were part of a violent crew that beat, tortured, and killed in furtherance of their heroin trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.
The defendants arrested yesterday and today include Maurice Brown, Jaquan Cooper, and Tyquan Griem, who are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo at the Brooklyn federal courthouse. Norman Marrero was arraigned earlier today before United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson at the federal courthouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and ordered detained. Lance Goodwin was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Howell at the federal courthouse in Asheville, North Carolina.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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