Catherine Morales, Murder and Narcotics Trafficking, New York 2013
In a shocking turn of events, Catherine Morales, a 28-year-old member of the Bronx Narcotics Organization, has been charged with murder and narcotics trafficking in Manhattan federal court. The charges, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of life in prison, were announced on Friday by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara.
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment, Morales was involved in the sale of heroin in the vicinity of Simpson and East 163rd Streets in the Bronx. However, it was not just Morales' involvement in narcotics trafficking that led to her arrest and charges. She is also accused of fatally shooting a 21-year-old woman, Aisha Morales, in the head in a drug-related dispute that took place in the vicinity of 1018 East 163rd Street.
The shooting, which occurred in 2013, was sparked by a dispute over narcotics trafficking in the area. Morales, who was a member of the Bronx Narcotics Organization, was allegedly involved in the sale of crack cocaine and heroin, among other drugs, primarily in the vicinity of Longwood Avenue, and Beck, Kelly, and Simpson Streets in the Bronx.
The charges against Morales are the result of a lengthy investigation by federal authorities, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New York Police Department (NYPD). The investigation, which began in 2013, has resulted in the arrest and charges of nine other members of the Organization, with co-defendants Adony Nina and Candido Antomattei convicted of narcotics trafficking and firearms charges following a trial in October 2013.
Morales was previously charged in an Indictment with narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses, and was arrested by federal authorities in August 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was subsequently brought to Manhattan federal court in September 2013, to face those charges in the Southern District of New York.
The trial of Morales is expected to shed more light on the activities of the Bronx Narcotics Organization and the extent of Morales' involvement in narcotics trafficking and murder. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of narcotics trafficking and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
Defendant: Catherine Morales, 28, of Bronx, New York
Criminal Charges: Conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, possessing firearms that were brandished and discharged, and using firearms to cause the death of another.
City and State: New York
Exact Date: 2008-2013 (investigation), August 2013 (arrest), September 2013 (arraignment)
Sentence or Outcome: Currently facing trial and potential life sentence
Dollar Amounts: Not applicable
Category: Drug Trafficking, Violent Crime
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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