LUIS FILPO, Murder, New York 2019

Gang Member Sentenced to 25 Years for 2019 Murder

LUIS FILPO, a former member of the notorious street gang ‘the 200s’ based in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the brazen and senseless murder of an innocent bystander.

On January 31, 2019, FILPO, then 25, mistakenly identified 24-year-old Roberto Vasquez as a gang rival and opened fire on his vehicle, killing Vasquez and wounding another occupant. The heinous crime was part of a larger pattern of violence and gang activity carried out by members of the 200s to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing.

According to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, FILPO’s actions were ‘as serious as it gets,’ and he made himself ‘judge, jury, and executioner’ in Vasquez’s death. The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, will run consecutively to a state sentence FILPO is currently serving.

In addition to his prison term, FILPO was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department, who worked tirelessly to bring FILPO to justice.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew S. Andrews, Frank J. Balsamello, Patrick R. Moroney, and Thomas J. Wright leading the prosecution. The Office’s commitment to combating gang-related crime is evident in this case, where FILPO will be held accountable for his crimes and gang members are on notice that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

As the investigation revealed, FILPO’s actions were not isolated and were part of a larger pattern of violence perpetrated by the 200s gang. The gang’s activities included narcotics trafficking and other acts of violence, including murder. The sentence serves as a reminder that gang-related crime will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such activities will face severe consequences.

The Vasquez family has been left to pick up the pieces after the senseless loss of their loved one. This sentence brings a measure of justice for their loss, but it can never bring back the life of Roberto Vasquez. The community must continue to work together to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

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