Derrick Ayers, Narcotics Conspiracy, Money Laundering, New York 2024
11 Members and Associates of the Bully Gang Charged with Narcotics Conspiracy, Money Laundering
Two criminal complaints were unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging 11 members and associates of the New York City-based Bully street gang with crimes related to conspiracies to distribute drugs throughout Maine and in New York, smuggling drugs into Rikers Island, illegal weapons possession and money laundering.
The defendants include two New York City Department of Education employees, Derrick Ayers, alleged Bully gang member, and Bermon Clarke, gang associate, Amy Sonnenblick, Nia Govan, Paul Harris, and Anthony Kennedy.
According to the complaints, Ayers, Clarke, Govan, Amanda Huard, Jessica Pelkey, Walton, and Demetrius Wright are members of a drug ring operating in New York, Maine and elsewhere. The organization trafficked cocaine base (or ‘crack’), heroin and other controlled substances using vehicles with hidden compartments and “trap” houses in Maine to store and sell narcotics.
The initial appearances of six defendants arrested today in Brooklyn and New Jersey—Ayers and gang associates Clarke, Sonnenblick, Govan, Harris, and Kennedy—are scheduled for this afternoon before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak. Defendant Amanda Walton was arrested in Maine. Defendant Amanda Huard is currently not in custody. The remaining defendants were previously incarcerated.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the charges.
According to the complaints, the organization trafficked cocaine base (or ‘crack’), heroin and other controlled substances using vehicles with hidden compartments and “trap” houses in Maine to store and sell narcotics. As alleged, the defendants trafficked narcotics between Maine and New York, including smuggling dangerous contraband drugs into Rikers Island.
As charged, the defendants face the following crimes:
- Narcotics conspiracy
- Money laundering
- Illegal weapons possession
The defendants were charged in two criminal complaints unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn. The charges were announced by Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI).
As alleged, the defendants trafficked narcotics between Maine and New York, including smuggling dangerous contraband drugs into Rikers Island.
The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. The investigation was conducted by the ATF/NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maine, New Hampshire State Police, Maine State Police, Brewer Maine Police Department, Waterville Maine Police Department and Augusta Maine Police Department.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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