DISTRICT ATTORNEY QUEENS COUNTY 125-01 QUEENS BOULEVARD KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK 11415-1568 718-286-6000 Release # 181-2018 www.queensda.org twitter@queensdabrown RICHARD A. BROWN DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: QDA 718-286-6315 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2018 NYPD/DCPI 646-610-6700 HSI 646-648-2995 12 REPUTED MEMBERS OF THE VIOLENT MS-13 STREET GANG INDICTED ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRING TO COMMIT MURDER, BURGLARY AND MORE Oers Associated Wi Notorious Gang Also Charged wi Crimes; Top Leaders Alleged to Have Conspired to Kill a Former Gang Member And Rival Gang Members; Police Allegedly Recovered Guns and Drugs During Raids; Three Defendants Face Up to 50 Years in Prison if Convicted Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, joined by New York City Police Commissioner James P. O Neill and Homeland Security Investigations New York Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez, announced at a Queens County grand jury has indicted 12 alleged members of e La Mara Salvatrucha street gang more commonly referred to as MS-13 on various charges including attempted murder and conspiracy, in addition to drug and weapons charges. The main defendants are accused of plotting to kill rival gang members and planning e execution of a man who left e MS-13 gang. District Attorney Brown said, This was a long-term investigation at not only warted a plot to kill an individual a man trying to remove himself from is vicious street gang but also resulted in taking would-be killers off our neighborhood streets. Gang violence, intimidation and out-right ruless brutality will not be tolerated in is county. These indictments are anoer example of how law enforcement and prosecutors can and will work togeer to stop e senseless killings in our communities. Police Commissioner O Neill said, The NYPD, in close cooperation wi our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and e Queens District Attorneys Office, are making New Yorkers safer by focusing our significant resources on e relatively small percentage of criminals responsible for much of our city s crime and disorder. Neier e law-enforcement community nor e people we serve will stand for our neighborhoods to be overrun wi illegal drugs, guns, and associated gang violence. We are sharing e responsibility for public safety and making our way forward, togeer. HSI Special Agent in Charge Melendez said, Our communities have e right to be safe and not succumb to senseless violence between gangs in our city. These alleged members of MS-13 exhibited eir propensity towards violence and murder when ey plotted to murder rival gang members in a place where e public congregates, wi no regard to innocent lives. MS-13's intimidation and violence will not be tolerated and law enforcement s collaborative efforts are key to disrupting e lawless activities of is vicious street gang. District Attorney Brown identified one of e main defendants as Jorge Terrible Andrade, 35, who is named in two of e indictments handed up by a Queens grand jury. The 12 defendants who range
-2- in age from 20 to 35 are alleged to have conspired to kill multiple people - rival members of e Latin Kings and a former member of MS-13. Defendants Josue Colocho Levia, 21, Angel Chamuco Romero, 20, and Ramiro Caramalo Gutierrez, 26, are charged in an indictment wi plotting a home invasion in e Kew Gardens Hills neighborhood of Queens. (See Addendum for details on each defendant). The long-term investigation was spearheaded by e New York City Police Department s Queens Sou Gang Squad wi Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and e Queens District Attorney s Gang Violence and Hate Crimes Bureau. Utilizing various investigative techniques, including court-auorized wiretaps, video and physical surveillance, law enforcement discovered plots by gang members to kill multiple individuals and to burglarize a home where ey believed $80,000 could be taken. In e first indictment, said District Attorney Brown, according to e charges, defendant Andrade and six oers plotted to avenge e shooting and wounding of two reputed members of e MS-13 gang. On June 23, 2018, two men were fired on outside a bar on Sutphin Boulevard. An alleged member of e Latin Kings was apprehended for e shooting. Soon after at incident, Andrade and oer reputed members of MS-13 were allegedly heard on wiretaps planning a hit on e Latin Kings to retaliate. The gang members actually conducted eir own surveillance of targets, accessed firearms and discussed locations for e hit, including e Rufus King Park in Jamaica, Queens. In August 2018, Andrade allegedly took photos of a potential target s car and revealed his intention to oer gang members to kill e rival Latin King by bashing him in e head wi a baseball bat. Continuing, said e District Attorney, according to e charges, on August 31, 2018, an alleged Latin King gang member was stabbed near e Long Island Railroad Station at 94 Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard. After e stabbing, officers responded to a deli several blocks away and observed defendants Dani Cruz and Maxwell Martinez, who bo had blood on eir cloing and sneakers. DNA testing allegedly revealed at e blood on eir cloes and shoes belonged to e Latin King gang member who had been stabbed. Video surveillance before e stabbing is alleged to show Angel Romero chasing e victim to e location, where he was ultimately attacked. Cruz and Maxwell were charged wi attempted murder in October 2018. According to e second indictment, said e District Attorney, when Andrade and oer members of e MS-13 gang learned at one of eir own had blacked out his distinctive MS-13 tattoo and had disassociated himself wi e gang, ey plotted to kill him. Again, before striking, e gang members allegedly conducted extensive surveillance on e former member and reported back to higher-ups in e gang. Through wiretaps, investigators overheard defendant Levia allegedly discussing retrieving weapons for e hit and, when e time and location were revealed, law enforcement raced to e scene and possibly preventing a murder. Police executed a court-auorized search warrant and recovered a loaded.357 revolver and a.32 caliber firearm. Police also allegedly found cocaine and marijuana at e 118 Street location. Furermore, said e District Attorney, according to e charges, defendants Gutierrez, Levia and Romero conspired to burglarize a home in e Kew Gardens Hills neighborhood of Queens. On February 18 and 19 of is year, e ree defendants discussed eir plans to steal $80,000 in cash believed to be in e home. Police overheard e discussions and warted e home invasion. Additional arrests made in regards to is investigation include two accused MS-13 gang members, who were taken into custody in regards to a metal pipe attack on two individuals on September 1, 2018.
-3- Defendant Romero and co-defendant Steven Rivas, 24, are alleged to have beaten e two victims wi a pipe and are currently charged in a criminal complaint wi assault. The District Attorney added at, according to e charges, police executed a court-auorized search warrant on e residence of defendant Jorge Rivera, 27, of 88 Avenue in e Jamaica section of Queens. Police allegedly recovered 28 bags of cocaine and a fake pistol. Rivera is also charged in e indictment for conspiring to kill a rival gang member. Rivera s faer, Eusebio Rivera, was also arrested on weapons charges. nd Following e execution of a court-auorized search warrant yesterday at e 162 Street residence of defendant Gutierrez, police allegedly recovered nine bags of marijuana, grinders containing marijuana, approximately 100 glassine envelopes, a scale, a glass pipe containing cocaine and cannabis oil. According to a criminal complaint, said e District Attorney, Gutierrez stated in sum and substance at he has anxiety and at is why he smokes. Law enforcement executed a second court-auorized search warrant at e 94 Avenue residence of defendant Andrade, and allegedly recovered ree glass pipes containing marijuana, a scale wi marijuana on it and bags containing cocaine. Police also allegedly found.22 caliber ammunition,.38 caliber cartridges,.9mm cartridges and.380 caliber bullets in e defendant s bedroom. District Attorney Brown would like to extend his sincere anks to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, and Nassau County Deputy Bureau Chief of Special Operations, Narcotics and Gangs Bureau Veronica Guariglia. The District Attorney would also like to ank e Drug Enforcement Agency s Long Island Task Force comprising agents and officers from e DEA, Nassau County District Attorney s Office, e Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County District Attorney s Office, Suffolk County Sheriff s Office and e Hempstead Police Department. The investigation was conducted by members of e New York City Police Department s Queens Sou Gang Squad, under e supervision of Captain Charles J. Campisi, Commander, and under e overall supervision of Deputy Chief Joseph E. Kenny, Commanding officer of e NYPD s Detective Bureau Queens Sou, Chief Dermot Shea, Chief of Detective, Chief Thomas Galati, Chief of e Intelligence Bureau, 103 Detective Squad. Also assisting in e investigation was Special Agent Jeff Lopez, of Homeland Security Investigations, under e supervision of Group Supervisor Todd Kowalski and Acting Deputy Assistant Director Anony Scandifio. The District Attorney would also like to acknowledge e assistance of Senior Assistant District Attorney Kirk Sendlein, as well as e Queens District Attorney s Hate Crimes and Gang Violence Bureau for eir assistance in e investigation, including Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin McTague, Deputy Bureau Chief Michelle Goldstein, Bureau Chief Mariela Palomino Herring and Karen J. Friedman, Special Counsel to e Trial Division. Assistant District Attorney Kirk Sendlein and Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin McTague are prosecuting e case, in conjunction wi e District Attorney Brown s Gang Violence and Hate Crimes
-4- Bureau, under e supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Mariela Palomino Herring, Bureau Chief, Michelle E. Goldstein, Deputy Bureau Chief, Michael E. Brovner, Unit Chief, Elizabe D. Parke, Director of Juvenile Prosecutions, and Karen J. Friedman, Special Counsel to e Trial Division. It should be noted at an indictment and a criminal complaint are merely accusations and at defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. # ADDENDUM Some defendants previously arrested. Oers are awaiting arraignment before Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Schwartz. JORGE TERRIBLE ANDRADE, 35, of Jamaica, Queens is charged in two separate indictments each wi one count of second-degree conspiracy and is expected to be arraigned in Queens Supreme Court today. The defendant is also awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on a separate complaint charging him wi seven-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of pistol or revolver ammunition and unlawful possession of marijuana. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years in prison. DANI CHINO CRUZ, 26, of Jamaica, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. JOHAN CRUZ-VALLE, 20, of Jamaica, Queens is charged wi ree counts of four-degree criminal sale of marijuana and unlawful possession of marijuana. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail. RAMIRO CARAMALO GUTIERREZ 26, of Flushing, Queens is charged wi one count of four-degree conspiracy and is expected to be arraigned in Queens Supreme Court today. The defendant is also charged in a separate criminal complaint wi unlawful possession of marijuana. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison. JOSUE COLOCHO LEVIA 21, of Richmond Hill, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy, one count of four-degree conspiracy, one count of ird-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two-counts of ird-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of seven- degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, one count of sale, possession or use of an unlawful imitation pistol and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana. The defendant was arraigned yesterday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Schwartz, who set bail at $500,000 bond/$250,000 cash and ordered e defendant to return to court on January 2, 2019. If convicted, he faces up to 43 years in prison. VICTOR PANDA MANUEL 20, of Richmond Hill, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of sale, possession or use of an unlawful imitation pistol and one count of second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was arraigned yesterday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Schwartz and is being held on $500,000 bond/$250,000 cash bail. The next court date is February 26, 2019. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison. *RAMON CRUZITO MARTINES 35, of Hempstead, Long Island is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. *MAXWELL MARTINEZ 25, of Jamaica, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. *OSCAR COCA VELASQUEZ MORENO 20, of Brentwood, Long Island is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy. The defendant was arraigned yesterday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Schwartz and is being held on $100,000 bond/$50,000 cash bail. The defendant s next court date is February 27, 2019. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. DIONI PELIGRO NAVARRO, 27, of Jamaica, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy. The
-5- defendant was arraigned yesterday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Schwartz, who set bail at $50,000 bond/$25,000 cash. The defendant s next court date is February 28, 2019. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. STEVEN RIVAS, 24, of Jamaica, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree assault, one count of second-degree attempted assault and one count of four-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison. JORGE JESTER RIVERA, 27, of Jamaica, Queens is charged in two separate indictments each wi one count of seconddegree conspiracy. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years in prison. ANGEL CHAMUCO ROMERO, 20, of Jamaica, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy, one count of four-degree conspiracy, one count of second-degree assault, one count of second-degree attempted assault and one count of four-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, he faces up to 36 years in prison. BRANDON LITTLE BOY TZUL, 21, of Jamaica, Queens is charged wi one count of second-degree conspiracy and is expected to be arraigned in Queens Supreme Court today. The defendant is additionally charged in a criminal complaint wi endangering e welfare of a child and unlawful possession of marijuana. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years in prison. SYED HOSSAIN 23, of Jamaica, Queens was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court in July 2018, on a complaint charging him wi one count of first-degree criminal possession of marijuana, fif-degree criminal possession of marijuana and one count of double parking. The defendant is being held on $20,000 bond/$10,000 cash bail. His next court date is December 12, 2018. If convicted, e defendant faces up to five and half years in prison. WILBER MATA, 31, of Jamaica, Queens was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court in November 2018, on a complaint charging him wi two counts of seven-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, one count of turning movements and required signals and one count of parking wiin 15 feet of a fire hydrant. The defendant was released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court on January 29, 2019. If convicted, e defendant faces up to one year in jail. Elmer Saravia, 20, of Flushing, Queens is presently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on a complaint charging her/him wi seven-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana. If convicted, e defendant faces up to one year in jail. Ilians Novales, 29, of Flushing, Queens is presently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on a complaint charging her wi unlawful possession of marijuana. # Note to Editor: E-version of press release posted at www.queensda.org.