Kasiem Williams, RICO Conspiracy, New York 2016

Buffalo, NY – In a shocking turn of events, Kasiem Williams, 26, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to RICO Conspiracy in a New York court. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. This is not the first time Williams has been involved in organized crime, with a history of violent acts dating back to 2009.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, Williams participated in several acts of violence during the course of his involvement in the racketeering conspiracy. Specifically, the defendant participated in the following gang-related shootings:

• On July 10, 2009, Williams shot at a rival 10th Street Gang member during an attempted murder. In the aftermath of the attempted murder, Williams shot himself in the foot.

• On August 11, 2009, Williams spotted rival 10th Street Gang members on the corner of Auburn and West Avenue in Buffalo and notified his fellow gang members to shoot at the 10th Street Gang members.  As a result, Eric Morrow was shot and killed.

• On November 5, 2009, Williams and a fellow gang member shot and attempted to murder a victim on 7th Street in Buffalo because they believed the victim was associated with the 10th Street Gang.

• On May 24, 2010, Williams and a fellow gang member shot a maintenance worker during the course of attempting to shoot and kill a rival gang member.

• On June 5, 2010, Williams shot and killed Virgil Page at 41 19th Street in Buffalo, a drug rival of Leslie Cunningham. As a result, Cunningham agreed to murder 10th Street Gang rivals for members of the 7th Street Gang as a part of a “favor for a favor” deal.

• On June 13, 2010, Cunningham went to the vicinity of 224 Virginia Street in Buffalo. Armed with the same .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun used by Kasiem Williams to kill Virgil Page, Cunningham shot a 10th Street Gang associate who was inside a store, and fired several shots at a 10th Street Gang member who was seated inside a sport utility vehicle parked outside the store.

Kasiem Williams will be sentenced on January 15, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara. Leslie Cunningham and Sammy Ortiz, also involved in the case, will face sentencing on February 3, 2016, and February 4, 2016, respectively.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi stated that Williams’ guilty plea is a significant step towards bringing justice to the victims and their families. The investigation into the 7th Street Gang is ongoing, with a total of 18 defendants charged and 12 convicted to date.

The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the New York State Police, the Buffalo Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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