Defendant Pleads Guilty to Execution-Style Killing in Queens
In a shocking turn of events, Marcus Pittman, also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese,” pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm and causing a death through the use of a firearm in connection with the kidnapping, robbery, and murder of a marijuana dealer on July 25, 2024.
According to court filings and statements by the defendant at the guilty plea proceeding, during the night of July 24, 2024 and into July 25, 2024, Pittman and his co-defendants carried out a violent armed robbery and kidnapping plot that resulted in the defendant shooting and killing John Doe #1 inside of a U-Haul van in Bayside, Queens.
Pittman and his co-defendants drove up from Maryland to New York for the purpose of robbing John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, who were both drug dealers. Once in New York, co-defendants Jerome Waters and William Barnett met with John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 at a stash house in Queens under the guise of purchasing marijuana.
Moments later, Waters and Barnett pulled out their weapons and held up John Doe #1 and John Doe #2. They then brought Pittman and his brother Delonta Pittman into the stash house to assist in the robbery and kidnapping. While in the stash house, Pittman and his co-defendants restrained John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 with zip ties and forced them outside and into the back of a Jeep and a U-Haul van.
At the same time, Pittman and his co-defendants stole approximately 30 pounds of marijuana from the stash house. Pittman and his co-defendants drove John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, who were still restrained, through Queens at gunpoint, demanding drugs and money.
Pittman faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison when sentenced. Co-defendants Barnett, Delonta Pittman, Waters, Garrett, and Israel all previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the crime, and are awaiting sentencing.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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