NEW HAVEN, CT – Kiveon Hyman, 25, known on the streets as “Tiny,” admitted today to his role in the brutal reign of the Exit 8 gang, a New Haven outfit responsible for a wave of violence that has plagued the city for years. Hyman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Federal prosecutors detailed a chilling portrait of Exit 8, a gang named after the Interstate 91 exit in New Haven. The gang, increasingly identifying with the moniker “Honcho” – a tribute to a murdered member – has been at war with rival crews in the Hill section and beyond since at least 2018. The feds say Hyman and his cohorts weren’t just fighting for turf; they were building a criminal enterprise fueled by drug trafficking, illegal firearms, and a shocking disregard for human life.
The investigation, a joint effort by the ATF, FBI, DEA, and New Haven Police, revealed a pattern of at least three murders and sixteen attempted murders linked to Exit 8. The gang allegedly stole vehicles, often from out of state, to facilitate their violent acts. But their crimes weren’t confined to the streets. Members brazenly documented their activities – the drug deals, the threats, the aftermath of violence – on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, essentially broadcasting their criminal exploits.
Court documents specifically detail Hyman’s involvement in a June 16, 2018 shooting. He allegedly shot and attempted to kill a member of a rival gang, and also wounded a bystander in the process. This single incident is just one piece of a larger, more disturbing puzzle of violence the feds have been painstakingly assembling. The investigation, authorities say, aims to dismantle the entire Exit 8 operation and bring lasting peace to the city’s beleaguered neighborhoods.
Hyman has been held without bail since his arrest on March 24, and awaits sentencing. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis. The prosecution falls under the umbrella of several federal initiatives: the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). Project Longevity, in particular, attempts a multi-pronged approach, combining community outreach with law enforcement pressure to dissuade gang members from further violence.
The joint operation underscores the escalating federal focus on gang violence in New Haven. The ATF Boston Field Division, led by Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson, worked closely with the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the DEA, as well as local law enforcement, in a concerted effort to break the cycle of violence. While Hyman’s guilty plea is a significant step, authorities acknowledge that the fight against organized crime in New Haven is far from over. The investigation remains ongoing, and further arrests are anticipated.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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