Bloods Gang Members and Associates Indicted For Racketeering And Violent Crimes Including Murder, Murder Conspiracies, Robberies and Narcotics Distribution #ProjectSafeNeighborhoods

A superseding indictment was unsealed in federal court in Central Islip variously charging six members and associates of the Red Stone Gorillas “set” of the Bloods street gang with racketeering, murder, robberies, narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses. The superseding indictment adds five new defendants, Jimmy Dean, Roger Foster, Corey Belcher, Willie Belcher and Eric Ross. Those defendants were arrested in various locations on the East End of Long Island, and were arraigned before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert. Two defendants, the gang’s alleged leader Jimmy Dean and Terrill Latney, were already in custody, and will be arraigned at a later date.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Timothy Sini, District Attorney, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDA), Geraldine Hart, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), Keith M. Corlett, Superintendent, New York State Police (NYSP), and David J. Hegermiller, Chief, Riverhead Police Department, announced the charges.

“Through murder, assaults and drug sales, these members and associates of the Bloods’ Red Stone Gorillas posed a grave danger to communities on eastern Long Island,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “This Office, together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue working tirelessly to prosecute defendants like these and eradicate violent street gangs throughout Long Island.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force and the Suffolk County East End Drug Task Force for their work on the case.

“These arrests are the culmination of several years of intensive investigation to take out the worst-of-the-worst gang members terrorizing Eastern Long Island communities,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “These subjects have allegedly created such a violent environment in parts of the town where they operate that they were dealing out in the open, without fear. We put a huge dent in that practice with the first round of arrests in this case, and today's action shows our FBI Long Island Gang Task Force and our law enforcement partners won’t stop until all of them are rounded up.”

“These are extremely dangerous gang members who are responsible not only for conspiring to commit murder, but for consistently driving crime on the East End through drug dealing and illegal firearm offenses,” stated Suffolk County District Attorney Sini. “Eradicating violent street gangs from our community is a top priority for my office. I thank all of our federal and local law enforcement partners for their continued partnership in the investigation and prosecution of gang members.”

“These Blood gang members and their associates engaged in violence and trafficked large quantities of narcotics for years on the East End of Long Island. Thanks to the diligent work of the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force and the Suffolk County East End Drug Task Force— they have been stopped and will be held accountable for their heinous crimes,” stated SCPD Commissioner Hart. “The department will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of violent street gangs.”

“I commend our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their commitment to Project Safe Neighborhoods,” stated NYSP Superintendent Corlett. “The arrests of these criminals are proof that, together, we are making our neighborhoods safer. Through our collaborative efforts, we will continue to target and apprehend gang members like the Blood Gang so they can no longer endanger the lives of New Yorkers through their heinous activities.” 

“We truly appreciate the unprecedented cooperation and assistance from our federal, state and county law enforcement partners in helping us to remove these criminals from our local communities here on the east end of Long Island,” stated Riverhead Police Chief Hegermiller.

As detailed in the superseding indictment and other court filings by the government, the defendants’ gang committed acts of violence and distributed large quantities of crack cocaine, powder cocaine and heroin in the Riverhead area on Long Island for nearly a decade. On November 17, 2015, while attempting to carry out Dean’s order to kill an individual, Latney, and others fatally shot Thomas Lacolla as he sat in the intended victim’s car. On August 1, 2015, Foster and others shot and wounded a suspected member of the rival Crips gang and a female bystander. Following Dean’s arrest in 2016, Latney, Foster and others assumed control of the gang’s drug distribution operations. 

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences of up to life imprisonment.

This case is 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.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Boeckmann and Michael Maffei are in charge of the prosecution. 

The Defendants:

Terrill Latney (also known as “Motis” and “Mo”)
Age: 39
Riverhead, New York

Corey Belcher (also known as “Dot”)
Age: 34
Riverhead, New York

Willie Belcher (also known as “Thug”)
Age: 33
Flanders, New York

JImmy Dean (also known as “Jim Dick”)
Age: 41
Calverton, New York

Roger Foster (also known as “RJ” and “YG”)
Age: 22
Baiting Hollow, New York

Eric Ross (also known as “Smurks”)
Age: 27
Flanders, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-606 (S-2) (JS)

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14 #BloodsStreetGang Members & #MacBallers Charged with Engaging in a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that 14 members and associates of the Bloods street gang known as the “MacBallers” were charged by way of a felony criminal complaint in federal court in Binghamton, New York, with engaging in a drug trafficking conspiracy, pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846. Federal, state, and local law enforcement teams executed arrest warrants in the greater Binghamton, New York area, as well as in New York City. Defendants made their appearances before a federal magistrate judge in federal court. Additionally, law enforcement also executed federal search warrants at nine locations in the Binghamton, New York area including at the nightclub called 17 East, located at 348 Clinton Street, Binghamton, New York, which was utilized and frequented by members of the MacBallers gang.

The investigation leading to today’s arrests and charges was conducted by members of a task force comprised of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Binghamton, New York; FBI Albany Field Office and FBI New York Field Office; Broome County District Attorney’s Office; Binghamton Police Department; New York State Police; Broome County Sheriff’s Office; Johnson City Police Department; Endicott Police Department; and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The federal felony complaint charges that starting in September 2009 and continuing up to the present, members and associates of the MacBallers set of the Bloods street gang operated in Binghamton, New York and were responsible for distributing large quantities of controlled substances including cocaine base (crack cocaine), powder cocaine, heroin, and marijuana in the greater Binghamton area. The complaint also charges that MacBaller members utilized rental vehicles and rental apartments to facilitate their drug trafficking conspiracy in order to cook, package, store, and transport controlled substances; utilized prepaid cellular telephones to contact drug customers and gang associates, both affiliated and unaffiliated to the MacBallers, in order to distribute controlled substances; engaged in gang meetings at various locations in the Binghamton area; and utilized firearms including handguns to commit assaults and shootings and to threaten others in furtherance of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy.

The federal felony complaint also charges as follows as to each defendant:

1. DEREK CARR, a/k/a “Jinx,” 29 years old, is affiliated to the Bloods street gang and believed to a member of the MacBallers. DEREK CARR is a close, personal associate of SAQUAN JOHNSON and supplied SAQUAN JOHNSON with controlled substances including crack cocaine and heroin. DEREK CARR communicated with SAQUAN JOHNSON regarding the cooking, packaging, acquisition, and distribution of controlled substances including crack cocaine and heroin.
2. COURTNEY DOUGLAS, a/k/a “Poppy,” 32 years old, is a member of the MacBallers who received supplies of crack cocaine and heroin from SAQUAN JOHNSON, as well as crack cocaine from CHAD EDWARDS, JUAN PENA, and REGINALD SIMMONS, JR. and then distributed those controlled substances to drug customers. COURTNEY DOUGLAS communicated with other members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy, including SAQUAN JOHNSON, CHAD EDWARDS, and JUAN PENA regarding the acquisition, distribution, and resale of controlled substances including crack cocaine and heroin.
3. LAMONT CLEMONS, a/k/a “Stime,” 39 years old, is believed to be a family relative (cousin) of CALVIN JOHNSON who transported supplies of controlled substances and distributed controlled substances on behalf of CALVIN JOHNSON. LAMONT CLEMONS also supplied SAQUAN JOHNSON with controlled substances including crack cocaine, heroin, powder cocaine, and marijuana. LAMONT CLEMONS communicated with SAQUAN JOHNSON regarding the acquisition, storage, transportation, distribution, and resale of controlled substances, including crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
4. CHAD EDWARDS, a/k/a “Chaddy O,” 31 years old, is a high-ranking member of the MacBallers who was responsible for distributing large quantities of crack cocaine in Binghamton, New York. CHAD EDWARDS worked closely with JUAN PENA AND REGINALD SIMMONS, JR. to distribute controlled substances and shared the same cellular telephones with these individuals. CHAD EDWARDS communicated with other members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy, including SAQUAN JOHNSON, JUAN PENA, REGINALD SIMMONS, JR., SHARELL HOLTON, and COURTNEY DOUGLAS regarding the acquisition, packaging, and distribution of controlled substances.
5. SHARELL HOLTON, a/k/a “Rell,” 35 years old, is a known controlled substances distributor in Binghamton, New York who is believed to have been supplied by members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including JOHN MELVILLE, CHAD EDWARDS, JUAN PENA, and REGINALD SIMMONS, JR. She allowed members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy, including JOHN MELVILLE and BRIAN WEST, to utilize her residence in Endicott, New York and distribute controlled substances from her residence. SHARELL HOLTON communicated with other known members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including SAQUAN JOHNSON, CHAD EDWARDS, and JUAN PENA regarding the acquisition, storage, and distribution of controlled substances as well as the collection of drug proceeds.
6. LESLIE HUGHES, a/k/a “Les,” 41 years old, is a Bloods Street Gang member and a known controlled substances distributor in Binghamton, New York who supplied SAQUAN JOHNSON with controlled substances including crack cocaine. LESLIE HUGHES worked for CALVIN JOHNSON and supplied SAQUAN JOHNSON with controlled substances to include crack cocaine. LESLIE HUGHES communicated with SAQUAN JOHNSON regarding the acquisition, cooking/mixing, packaging, and distribution of controlled substances, including crack cocaine, and the collection of drug proceeds.
7. CALVIN JOHNSON, a/k/a “Cal,” 38 years old, is a known controlled substances distributor in Binghamton, New York who operated the nightclub 17 East, which was utilized and frequented by members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy. He also supplied SAQUAN JOHNSON, LAMONT CLEMONS, LESLIE HUGHES, and others with controlled substances including crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and marijuana. CALVIN JOHNSON communicated with SAQUAN JOHNSON regarding the acquisition, distribution, and storage of controlled substances including crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and marijuana, as well as the acquisition of a handgun/firearm.
8. SAQUAN JOHNSON, a/k/a “Banga,” a/k/a “Sa,” 23 years old, is a member of the MacBallers gang and is known as an enforcer/shooter who was responsible for the distribution of large amounts of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, and marijuana to other members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including GERALD NORFLEET and COURTNEY DOUGLAS. SAQUAN JOHNSON was supplied with controlled substances from CALVIN JOHNSON, LAMONT CLEMONS, DEREK CARR, CHAD EDWARDS, JUAN PENA, REGINALD SIMMONS, JR., and DAYNELL ROWLAND. SAQUAN JOHNSON also communicated with other members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including DEREK CARR, COURTNEY DOUGLAS, LAMONT CLEMONS, CHAD EDWARDS, SHARELL HOLTON, LESLIE HUGHES, CALVIN JOHNSON, GERALD NORFLEET, JUAN PENA, DAYNELL ROWLAND, and REGINALD SIMMONS, JR. regarding the acquisition, distribution, transportation, and cooking/mixing of controlled substances including crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, as well as robberies, assaults, and firearms violations.
9. JOHN MELVILLE, a/k/a “Flip,” a/k/a “Fat Boy,” 29 years old, is a high ranking member of the MacBallers gang. JOHN MELVILLE was known to traffic large quantities of controlled substances including crack cocaine and powder cocaine into Binghamton, New York, in order to distribute controlled substances and supply additional members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including SHARELL HOLTON, CHAD EDWARDS, JUAN PENA, and REGINALD SIMMONS, JR.
10. GERALD NORFLEET, a/k/a “G,” 55 years old, purchased controlled substances from SAQUAN JOHNSON and distributed controlled substances including crack cocaine. Additionally, he collected drug proceeds derived from controlled substance sales on behalf of SAQUAN JOHNSON AND LAMONT CLEMONS. GERALD NORFLEET also provided transportation for SAQUAN JOHNSON in order to facilitate drug transactions in furtherance of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy. GERALD NORFLEET communicated with SAQUAN JOHNSON regarding the acquisition, packaging, and distribution of controlled substances, and the collection of drug proceeds derived from the sales of controlled substance including crack cocaine.
11. JUAN PENA, a/k/a “John John,” 30 years old, is a high ranking member of the MacBallers who was responsible for distributing large quantities of crack cocaine. At one time, JUAN PENA also paid CALVIN JOHNSON an amount of United States currency to control and operate various illegal gambling games at CALVIN JOHNSON’S nightclub 17 East. JUAN PENA also communicated with other members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including SAQUAN JOHNSON, CHAD EDWARDS, REGINALD SIMMONS, JR., SHARELL HOLTON, COURTNEY DOUGLAS, and others regarding the acquisition and distribution of controlled substances.
12. DAYNELL ROWLAND, a/k/a “Daylo,” 31 years old, is a suspected member of the MacBallers who resides in Syracuse, New York, and was responsible for supplying SAQUAN JOHNSON and others with large amounts of controlled substances including marijuana and heroin. DAYNELL ROWLAND introduced SAQUAN JOHNSON to his (DAYNELL ROWLAND’S) heroin supplier residing in the New York City area so SAQUAN JOHNSON could obtain large quantities of heroin directly from this individual. DAYNELL ROWLAND also expressed a desire for SAQUAN JOHNSON to become his main heroin distributor in Binghamton, New York. DAYNELL ROWLAND communicated with SAQUAN JOHNSON regarding the acquisition, cooking, packaging, and distribution of controlled substances and the collection of drug proceeds derived from the sales of controlled substances.
13. REGINALD SIMMONS, JR., a/k/a “Reg,” a/k/a “Moe,” 30 years old, is a member of the MacBallers who was responsible for distributing large quantities of crack cocaine. REGINALD SIMMONS, JR. worked with JUAN PENA AND CHAD EDWARDS to distribute controlled substances and shared the same cellular telephones with them for the purpose of distribution of controlled substances. REGINALD SIMMONS, JR. also communicated with other additional members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including SAQUAN JOHNSON, JUAN PENA, CHAD EDWARDS, SHARELL HOLTON, and COURTNEY DOUGLAS regarding the demand, acquisition, packaging, and distribution of controlled substances.
14. BRIAN WEST, a/k/a “West,” 27 years old, is a member of the MacBallers who was responsible for distributing large quantities of crack cocaine. BRIAN WEST trafficked controlled substances into the Binghamton, New York area with JOHN MELVILLE and who supplied other members of the MacBallers’ drug trafficking conspiracy including SHARELL HOLTON, CHAD EDWARDS, JUAN PENA, and REGINALD SIMMONS, JR. BRIAN WEST also utilized SHARELL HOLTON’S residence to distribute controlled substances.

If convicted, each defendant faces an imprisonment term of at least 10 years and up to life.

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Hakim Lowery, Fugitive Member of Bloods Street Gang, Arrested

Aaron T. Ford, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Newark Field Office; William Fraher, the Acting Chief of Police of the Paterson Police Department; and Gary F. Giardina, the Chief of Police of the Clifton Police Department, announced the arrest of Hakim Lowery, 35, a fugitive and alleged ranking member of the Fruit Town Brims set of the Bloods street gang operating in Passaic County, principally in the town of Paterson, New Jersey.

Lowery is one of 28 members and associates of the Paterson Bloods named in a superseding indictment superseding indictment charges Lowery and others with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, “crack” cocaine, and powder cocaine. Three of the defendants were also charged with brandishing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activity and with being felons unlawfully in possession of firearms.

A number of the defendants were arrested in a weekend sweep in Paterson. As of Monday, Lowery was the only defendant who remained at large. The FBI, Paterson Police Department, and Clifton Police Departments continued their investigation and were able to locate and arrest Lowery on Tuesday evening in Paterson, New Jersey.

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