Authorities Announce Major Gang Crackdown In Queens, With 28 Arrests
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Amid escalating violence Queens, authorities Thursday announced a major bust in the war against gangs.
More than two dozen alleged gang members were charged for their roles in crimes in housing developments in Long Island City and Astoria.
As CBS2's Kiran Dhillon reported, bloodshed involving gangs -- sometimes with innocent bystanders caught in the middle -- is a scene that is becoming all too common in our city.
Just last weekend, 10 people were shot, including three gang members, on a busy sidewalk in Queens.
On Thursday, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced a major win in the battle against gangs and guns.
"Block by block, as long as it takes, we will not allow gun violence and gangs to become the norm. Not here in Queens County," Katz said.
Twenty eight alleged gang members were charged in a sweeping 141-count indictment. The charges stem from 20 incidents in the Queensbridge and Ravenswood Public housing developments over the past few years.
The NYPD said the crimes involve three rival gangs: Jet Blue, the Makk Ballers and Money the Motivation/Obligated to Money.
The groups are at war over narcotics and turf.
"This is precision policing at its finest. These are the trigger pullers. These are individuals that make the everyday, hardworking men and women of Queens fear for their safety," said NYPD Capt. Thomas Passolo.
The charges include attempted murder and assault, and one charge of murder in the second degree in connection to the shooting of 53-year-old school teacher George Rosa, who was killed by a stray bullet meant for a gang member last summer.
Katz said a combination of surveillance video, ballistics evidence and cooperation from the community played a role in the investigation.
She has a clear message to gang members.
"This should put every gang member on notice. If you are commuting havoc on our streets, and you are putting the public in harm's way, we are going to find you. We will prosecute you," Katz said.
The mayor and police commissioner are echoing a similar sentiment, but they insist progress is being made.
"These cases are piling up. The work is being put in by our investigators, and it is absolutely going to continue to drive down the violence in New York. We know that we have more work to do," NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
Officials said with the indictment, most of the suspects are in custody but several still remain at large.
The following people face charges:
- IKE FORD, 18, of Queens, has been charged with murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Ford faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
- DELANTE AIKEN, 19, of Queens, has been charged with murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Aiken faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Alleged members of the Makk Ballers street gang:
- DEVON BATTLE, 25, of Queens, is charged with two counts of attempted murder and other crimes. If convicted, Battle faces up to 25 years in prison.
- MATUSIM CARTER, 26, of the Bronx, is charged with four counts of attempted murder and other crimes. If convicted, Carter faces up to 25 years in prison.
- MALIK HARRIS, 23, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. Ifconvicted, Harris faces up to 25 years in prison.
- JERRY DOUGLAS, 33, of Queens, is charged with conspiracy in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Douglas faces up to 25 years in prison.
- TIMIA HODGES, 22, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Hodges faces up to 25 years in prison.
- TYREIK JACKSON, 35, of Queens, is charged with conspiracy in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Jackson faces up to 25 years in prison.
- STEVEN JOHNSON, 20, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Johnson faces up to 25 years in prison.
- TYLER KING, 21, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, King faces up to 25 years in prison.
- JAHI MAYS, 34, of Queens, is charged with conspiracy in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Mays faces up to 25 years in prison.
- BILLY ROBINSON, 24, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Robinson faces up to 25 years in prison.
- MOHAMED SALEH, 35, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Saleh faces up to 25 years in prison.
- TYHEEM VALLES, 25, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Valles faces up to 25 years in prison.
- LESTER WILLIAMS, 29, of Queens, is charged with three counts of attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Williams faces up to 25 years in prison.
Alleged Jet Blue gang members:
- DONOVAN HARVEY, 23, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Harvey faces up to 25 years in prison.
- JAKYA JONES, 21, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Jones faces up to 25 years in prison.
Alleged OTM/MTM gang members:
- SHAHEID GIBSON, 27, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Gibson faces up to 25 years in prison.
- CHRISTIAN JONES, 22, of Queens, is charged with attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Jones faces up to 25 years in prison.
- SILAS ROSS, 27, of Queens, is charged with four counts of attempted murder in the second degree and other crimes. If convicted, Ross faces up to 25 years in prison.
Kiran Dhillon contributed to this report.