Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging six members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as “Nine Trey,” with racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses.

Five defendants were taken into custody last night and today; they will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman later today. A sixth defendant is in state custody and will be transferred to federal custody. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged in the indictment, this gang, which included platinum-selling rap artist Tekashi 6ix 9ine, wreaked havoc on New York City, engaging in brazen acts of violence. Showing reckless indifference to others’ safety, members of the gang were allegedly involved in robberies and shootings, including a shooting inside the crowded Barclay’s Center, and a shooting in which an innocent bystander was hit. Thanks to the extraordinary work of HSI, ATF, and the NYPD, the defendants will now face justice in federal court.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said: “Members of Nine Trey, who wielded firearms and pushed highly addictive drugs onto New York City streets, allegedly showed an unprecedented level of violence this year, and for that they are now facing multiple charges, including an incident in which an innocent bystander was shot. This criminal enterprise has no business in our city, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that Nine Trey crew members, including the more well-known ‘Tekashi 6ix 9ine,’ are in a place where they cannot inflict further violence on our communities.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict said: “ATF stands firmly at the frontline in the fight against violent crime. The individuals charged today with racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses are members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, also known as ‘Nine Trey.’ The members and associates of this street gang engaged in violent robberies, assaults, and shootings. The ATF/ NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force, with members from HSI, Federal Probation, NYS Parole and NYC Department of Correction, work tirelessly alongside their other law enforcement partners to rid the streets of individuals that spread violence and endanger their fellow citizens. I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting in the case.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

Nine Trey was a criminal enterprise involved in committing numerous acts of violence, including shootings, robberies, and assaults in and around Manhattan and Brooklyn. Members and associates of Nine Trey engaged in violence to retaliate against rival gangs, to promote the standing and reputation of Nine Trey, and to protect the gang’s narcotics business. Members and associates of Nine Trey enriched themselves by committing robberies and selling drugs, such as heroin, fentanyl, furanly fentanyl, MDMA, dibutylone, and marijuana.

The Indictment charges JAMEL JONES, a/k/a “Mel Murda,” KIFANO JORDAN, a/k/a “Shotti,” JENSEL BUTLER, a/k/a “Ish,” DANIEL HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Tekashi 6ix 9ine,” FUGUAN LOVICK, a/k/a “Fu Banga,” and FAHEEM WALTER, a/k/a “Crippy,” with racketeering and firearms offenses. Count One of the Indictment charges JONES, JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with participating in a racketeering conspiracy for their criminal involvement in Nine Trey. Count Two charges JONES, JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with using and carrying firearms, which were brandished and discharged, in connection with the racketeering conspiracy. Counts Three through Five charge JONES, JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with participating in a gunpoint robbery in the vicinity of West 40th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan on or about April 3, 2018. Counts Six and Seven charge LOVICK with shooting at rivals of Nine Trey in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on or about April 21, 2018. Count Eight charges JORDAN, BUTLER, HERNANDEZ, and WALTER with agreeing to shoot an individual who had shown disrespect to Nine Trey, resulting in an innocent bystander being shot, in the vicinity of Fulton Street and Utica Avenue in Brooklyn on or about July 16, 2018.

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Charts containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI, ATF, and the NYPD. He also thanked the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Department of Correction’s Intelligence Bureau for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Longyear, Jacob Warren, Jonathan Rebold, and Sebastian Swett are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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COUNT CHARGE DEFENDANTS MAX. PENALTIES 1 Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) JAMEL JONES (age 38) KIFANO JORDAN (age 36) JENSEL BUTLER (age 36) DANIEL HERNANDEZ (age 22) FAHEEM WALTER (age 29) 20 years in prison 2 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) JAMEL JONES KIFANO JORDAN JENSEL BUTLER DANIEL HERNANDEZ FAHEEM WALTER Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison as to JONES; mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison as to the other defendants 3 Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 KIFANO JORDAN JENSEL BUTLER DANIEL HERNANDEZ FAHEEM WALTER 20 years in prison 4 Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 3, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 KIFANO JORDAN JENSEL BUTLER DANIEL HERNANDEZ FAHEEM WALTER 3 years in prison 5 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was brandished 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) KIFANO JORDAN JENSEL BUTLER DANIEL HERNANDEZ FAHEEM WALTER Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 7 years in prison 6 Violent crime in aid of racketeering (April 21, 2018) 18 U.S.C. § 1959 FUGUAN LOVICK (age 40) 20 years in prison 7 Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which was discharged 18 U.S.C. § 924(c ) FUGUAN LOVICK Life in prison Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison 8 Violent crime in aid of racketeering (July 16, 2018) KIFANO JORDAN JENSEL BUTLER DANIEL HERNANDEZ FAHEEM WALTER 3 years in prison