A ruthless crime lord has been brought to justice after a violent drug-related robbery turned deadly in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.
Marcus Ricketts, a 25-year-old Jamaican citizen, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for causing death through the use of a firearm. Ricketts pleaded guilty to the charge on April 4, 2024.
According to court documents, Ricketts led an armed robbery crew that targeted marijuana dealers throughout New York City. The crew, which included co-defendants Mark Goulbourne, Jonathan Goulbourne, Juvanie Crossgill, Chevonne Williams, Amari Webber, and Romeo Jonas, would pose as marijuana dealers and then rob the sellers at gunpoint.
Between June 2020 and December 2021, Ricketts and his crew perpetrated three armed robberies, one of which resulted in a shootout and a murder. In July 2020, Ricketts orchestrated the robbery of a victim selling marijuana from his store in the Bronx. Victim 1 was held at gunpoint while Ricketts stole approximately 40 pounds of marijuana.
In October 2021, Ricketts orchestrated the robbery of a victim selling marijuana from his store in Staten Island. Victim 2 and his younger brother were ordered to the floor at gunpoint and threatened with death. The crew stole approximately 100 pounds of marijuana and Victim 2’s car.
On December 2021, Ricketts and his crew orchestrated the robbery of a victim from Poughkeepsie and his friend who were selling marijuana. Ricketts and the crew met the victims at an Airbnb in Brighton Beach, posing as buyers for the approximately 165 pounds of marijuana brought into the Airbnb for the sale. While Ricketts, Mark Goulbourne, and others were inside the Airbnb with Victim 3 and Victim 4, a shootout erupted, killing Victim 3 and wounding Victim 4.
Ricketts and Mark Goulbourne fled the Airbnb carrying guns, and Ricketts also carried a large duffle bag of marijuana. On a nearby street, Ricketts stole a Citi Bike from a passerby, which he attempted unsuccessfully to transport the marijuana. Ricketts was then picked up in Jonathan Goulbourne’s car, and they fled the scene. In the hours that followed, at Ricketts’s instruction, Crossgill returned to the scene several times to locate evidence the crew had left behind.
The defendant’s previous conviction for armed robbery in August 2014 was also taken into consideration during sentencing.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella expressed his appreciation to the New York Field Office of the FBI and stated, ‘My Office continues to work tirelessly to dismantle violent robbery crews that wreak havoc on communities throughout New York City, such as the one the defendant led. Today’s sentencing reaffirms that brazen and incorrigible violence will be severely punished. It also reconfirms our commitment to prosecuting defendants who are here illegally and commit violent acts to the fullest extent of the law.’
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia stated, ‘For years, Marcus Ricketts led a violent robbery crew targeting victims across the city with firearms and threats of death, which was followed through on one occasion. Despite a previous conviction and deportation, Ricketts continued to display little concern for the law with repeated attempts to unlawfully enrich himself and his cohorts. May today’s sentencing reflect the FBI’s steadfast commitment to crush violent crime and deter chronic recidivists from entering this country illegally determined to wreak criminal havoc in our communities.’
Related Federal Cases
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- Frank Jenkins, Execution-Style Murder, New York 2014 · New York
- Larry Pagett, Murder in Aid of Racketeering, New York 2024 · New York
- Johnny Ray Gasca, Kidnapping, New York 2021 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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