NEW YORK, NY – A twisted tale of social media beef and cold-blooded calculation ended with guilty pleas from two individuals involved in a plot to murder a man in Queens, a scheme that tragically claimed the life of 28-year-old Clarisa Burgos. KARL SMITH, a/k/a “Pacavell,” 27, and CHELSEY HARRIS, a/k/a “Ms. Chinn,” have both admitted their roles in the botched hit, which unfolded across New York City in December 2023.
The scheme originated from within the walls of MDC Brooklyn, where DAJAHN MCBEAN, a/k/a “Jeezy Mula,” a/k/a “Freeze,” was awaiting sentencing for a prior gang-related shooting. While incarcerated, MCBEAN engaged in a social media feud with the intended victim, “Victim-1,” and allegedly used a contraband cellphone to orchestrate the hit from his jail cell. He enlisted the help of SMITH and HARRIS, promising payment through intermediaries like JULISSA BARTHOLOMEW, a/k/a “Trophy,” a/k/a “Tactical Mommy,” to lure Victim-1 into a deadly trap.
According to court filings, the plot involved multiple attempts on Victim-1’s life. On December 24, 2023, gunmen opened fire on Victim-1’s car outside “Club-1” in Queens, missing their target. Two days later, on December 26, the attackers tried again at “Club-2,” also in Queens. This time, bullets struck Victim-1, but even more devastatingly, they also struck and killed Clarisa Burgos, who was a passenger in the vehicle. The senseless act left a family grieving and exposed the callous disregard for human life at the heart of this conspiracy.
“This wasn’t random gunfire – it was a calculated plot to carry out a murder on New York City streets, and an innocent woman paid the price,” stated NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “It’s a stark reminder of how reckless, calculated violence puts innocent New Yorkers in the line of fire.” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton echoed the sentiment, adding, “Karl Smith and Chelsey Harris participated in an elaborate plot to murder their victim…Thanks to the hard work of the prosecutors in this Office and our law enforcement partners, Smith and Harris will now be held to account for this heinous crime.”
HARRIS pled guilty on June 26, 2025, and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2025. SMITH followed suit yesterday, entering his guilty plea and facing a December 8, 2025 sentencing date. MCBEAN and BARTHOLOMEW remain at large and await trial, facing charges related to the conspiracy. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the NYPD have vowed to continue their relentless pursuit of violent criminals, striving to ensure the safety of New York City’s streets.
SAIC Patrick J. Freaney of the Secret Service highlighted the unusual origins of the case, stating, “This murder-for-hire scheme arose from — of all things — a feud on social media. An innocent woman was killed because of a perceived slight.” The Secret Service played a supporting role in the joint NYPD task force investigation, emphasizing their commitment to assisting law enforcement partners in tackling egregious crimes.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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