ROCHESTER, NY – Rasheem “Coop” Sullivan, 31, a self-proclaimed leader of the notorious Immortal Stone Gorilla Gang, a subset of the Bloods, has confessed to federal drug and weapons charges. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., stems from a sprawling investigation into narcotics trafficking, firearms possession, and the escalating violence plaguing the streets of Rochester. Sullivan faces a minimum of five years in federal prison, with the potential for a life sentence, and a hefty $250,000 fine.
The bust, a joint effort by the Rochester Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), began in the wake of a brutal summer that saw Rochester Police Department Investigator Anthony Mazurkiewicz murdered and Investigator Sino Seng assaulted in July 2022. Investigators quickly zeroed in on a bloody rivalry between Sullivan’s crew and a rival gang led by Brandon “B-Mack” Washington, who was also hit with federal charges in September 2022.
On December 14, 2022, federal agents descended on multiple locations connected to Sullivan’s operation. The searches yielded a grim harvest: narcotics, stacks of cash, and a cache of firearms. Crucially, a loaded Glock 10 mm pistol, containing 16 rounds of ammunition, was recovered from Sullivan’s residence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory revealed Sullivan’s role as a key player in the Immortal Stone Gorilla Gang, painting a picture of a hardened criminal deeply entrenched in Rochester’s underworld.
The investigation revealed a pattern of escalating violence fueled by the drug trade. Sources within the Rochester Police Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the feud with Washington’s group had been brewing for months, spilling over into multiple shootings and acts of intimidation. While the specifics of the Mazurkiewicz murder remain under seal, investigators believe the ongoing gang war played a significant role in the officer’s death.
Sullivan’s plea is a significant, but likely not final, victory for law enforcement. The ATF, under Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, has been aggressively targeting gang activity in Rochester, recognizing the interconnectedness between drug trafficking, firearms, and violent crime. The DEA, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, has been focusing on disrupting the flow of narcotics into the city, a key component in dismantling these criminal enterprises.
Sentencing for Rasheem “Coop” Sullivan is scheduled for May 21 before Judge Geraci. While Sullivan’s cooperation remains unclear, prosecutors are expected to push for the maximum penalty given the severity of the charges and the violent context of the case. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against gang violence and the relentless efforts of federal agencies to bring criminals to justice in Rochester and beyond.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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