QUEENS — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Thursday announced the major takedown of over two dozen alleged local gang members.
“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.
According to the district attorney, 28 individuals were indicted by a Queens County Grand Jury and face a slew of various charges, including murder, attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon and more.
The DA said all those indicted were alleged members of warring gang factions, Jet Blue, Makk Ballers and Money the Motivation/Obligated to Money (MTM/OTM) within the Queensbridge and Ravenswood public housing developments in Astoria and Long Island City.
They were all charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possess illegal firearms, Katz said. They were charged in a 141 count indictment, she added.
“I’ve been doing these cases for awhile. This is one of the best I’ve seen,” NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said of the takedown.
According to Katz, almost all of the suspects had already been taken into custody.
“This should put every gang member in Queens on notice. If you are committing havoc on our streets and you are putting the public in harm’s way, we are going to find you. We are going to prosecute you,” Katz said.
The DA said two of the murder charges stem from the “brazen, broad-daylight” killing of a school teacher in July 2020.
The 53-year-old victim was out walking his dog near the Queensbridge Houses when he was struck a stray bullet, Katz said.
Two alleged Ravenswood gang members shot at a Queensbridge foe and missed, instead striking the teacher, who died just over a month later from the gunshot wound, the official said.
“You should be able to walk your dog in safety, and know you’re going to come home to your loved ones,” Katz said.
According to the DA, the indictment also includes 23 counts of attempted murder, 19 counts of attempted assault, 6 counts of assault, 54 counts of criminal possession of weapons, and 19 counts of reckless endangerment.
The following alleged gang members have been indicted:
- 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.
Below are alleged to be 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. If convicted, 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.
- Mohamen 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.
Defendants below alleged to be affiliated with Jet Blue:
- 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.
Defendants below alleged to be members of the OTM/MTM street gang:
- Shahid 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.
Watch the DA’s full press conference below:
