NYPD: 10 Charged In Alleged Gang Takedown In Connection To 2 Murders, 7 Shootings
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The NYPD made a major gang takedown in Brooklyn, and they believe the group committed several murders and ran an interstate drug operation.
Ten people have been charged in a 48-count conspiracy indictment that includes two murders, seven shootings and drug possession, CBS2's Charlie Cooper reports.
The men are allegedly part of the Brick Squad Gang, a subset of the larger Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation, affiliated with the Bloods. They're believed to be a violent and well-organized crew that's operated throughout Brooklyn but also expanded its narcotics trafficking in parts of Binghamton, New York, and Bangor, Maine.
"They were committed, as was said, to the shootings and homicides and other acts of violence here in Brooklyn, specifically in Vinegar Hill, Bed-Stuyvesant and Brownsville neighborhoods," NYPD Inspector Richard Green said.
"They're about violence. They are about making money and selling dangerous drugs in our communities and elsewhere. No more after this case with this arrest," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez played phone calls and videos of some of the suspects plotting to commit major crimes at a press conference Friday.
It's alleged that since 2017, the gang has engaged in violent crimes with the leadership of 49-year-old Howard Smith, who they refer to as "The Godfather." He and other incarcerated members are said to be in communication with guys on the outside to keep up to date with the gang's activities.
Police believe the money being made through drug trafficking was distributed among high-ranking members in prison. Six of the defendants were arraigned Thursday and either remained without bail or held on $500,000 bail. The remaining four are set to be arraigned Friday and Monday. The defendants face up to 25 years to life in prison.
Among those charged is Stephan Khadu. Police sources tell CBS2 Khadu has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon for the 2017 shooting of a teenager and the 2018 shooting of a 37-year-old in Brooklyn.
Authorities believe the 22-year-old murder suspect shot 17-year-old John Fernandez back on Dec. 7, 2017 in front of a home on Bainbridge Street. The teen was found by first responders with a gunshot wound to his neck and died at the scene.
Investigators add that Khadu is also allegedly responsible for the death of Claudell Gary, who was found fatally shot in the neck and leg in front of a Hart Street residence back on April 18, 2018.
The NYPD also arrested two other suspects for Gary's 2018 murder – 21-year-old Christopher Garcia and 20-year-old Quazeer Farmer.
Both men have also been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
Police did not reveal how they were able to track down the alleged killers after their years-long investigations.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting 274637.
