Grimy Times: Marquis Wright, a notorious gang leader from the Bronx, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in two gruesome murders. Wright, who led the gang ’18 Park’, was found guilty of possessing and using firearms in connection with the killings of Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore.
On September 28, 2008, Wright accompanied his co-defendant, Jonathan Rodriguez, to a house party where they confronted 18-year-old Brandon Howard. Rodriguez brought a gun to the party and shot Howard to death. Wright served as a lookout for Rodriguez during the confrontation.
Five years later, on May 29, 2011, Wright drove another ’18 Park’ member, Wali Burgos, to the vicinity of 2625 Third Avenue. Burgos shot and killed 16-year-old Johnny Moore, who was an innocent bystander. Wright drove Burgos away from the scene of the crime after the shooting.
Wright’s sentencing marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York City Police Department. The investigation was led by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, praised the work of law enforcement agencies in bringing Wright to justice. ‘The tragic and senseless murders of Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore reflect the dangers of gang- and drug-related violence in our city,’ Berman said. ‘While nothing can bring back Brandon Howard and Johnny Moore, Marquis Wright’s sentence means he will spend decades in prison and not pose a threat to others in the Bronx.’
The case against Wright was prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Nicholas, Jordan Estes, Dina McLeod, and Samson Enzer leading the prosecution.
Wright, 30, had previously pled guilty to two counts of possessing and using firearms in connection with the murders. His co-defendant, Jonathan Rodriguez, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2018. Wright’s sentence brings a sense of relief to the families of the victims, who had been waiting for justice for years.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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