NEW HAVEN, CT – Nyzaire Barnes, 19, known on the streets as “Melo,” has confessed his role in two brazen shootings that terrorized New Haven, and has pleaded guilty to a federal racketeering charge. Barnes, a member of the notorious Exit 8 gang, admitted to participating in a pattern of criminal activity that includes drug trafficking and multiple acts of violence. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden, is the latest development in a sprawling investigation targeting the gang’s reign of terror.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Barnes and his fellow Exit 8 members have been waging a bloody war against rival gangs since at least 2018, racking up a horrifying tally of three murders and sixteen attempted murders. The gang, named for the Interstate 91 exit serving New Haven, has recently adopted the moniker “Honcho” in tribute to a murdered member. This latest case is the result of a joint operation between the ATF, FBI, DEA, and New Haven Police Department, working in concert with state and federal prosecutors.
Court documents reveal Barnes’ direct involvement in two specific shootings. On April 12, 2022, Barnes and other Exit 8 members opened fire on rivals. Then, on January 20, 2023, Barnes and Devin Suggs allegedly stole an SUV in Scarsdale, New York, and used it as a weapon in a drive-by shooting in New Haven. The victim, shot in the head, miraculously survived the attack. The investigation also uncovered the gang’s reliance on social media – Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube – to coordinate violence and flaunt their illegal activities.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The investigation has revealed a disturbing pattern of car theft, often involving vehicles brought in from out of state, utilized in the commission of violent crimes. The gang’s activities extend beyond simple street-level violence, encompassing a sophisticated network of drug trafficking and coordinated attacks. Barnes’ guilty plea follows that of Devin Suggs, who also pleaded guilty to the racketeering charge on February 20, 2024, and is awaiting sentencing.
Barnes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. He has been held in custody since August 3, 2023, awaiting the outcome of the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale, and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis. This case falls under the umbrella of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), initiatives designed to combat violent crime and dismantle criminal organizations.
The collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies – ATF, FBI, DEA, New Haven Police, Hamden Police, Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory – highlights the seriousness with which authorities are addressing the escalating gang violence in New Haven. While Barnes’ plea represents a step forward, the investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are determined to bring all those responsible for the gang’s criminal enterprise to justice. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of gang activity and the tireless work of law enforcement to protect communities.
Related Federal Cases
- Sean London, Heroin and Crack Cocaine Distribution, New Haven CT, 2023 · Connecticut
- Kenneth Thom Pleads Guilty to Investment Scam, New York NY, 2026 · Connecticut
- Ted Albin, Medicare Scam Mastermind, New York NY, 2023 · Connecticut
- No defendant name found in the article.
Federal Regulators, Lifel…
· New York - Letitia James Challenges Trump EPA Endangerment Finding Reversal, N… · New York
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
