Tag:

Racketeering

From Mexico To NY: 7 Linked To Fatal Shooting, Drug, Gun Pipeline, Feds Say From Mexico To NY: 7 Linked To Fatal Shooting, Drug, Gun Pipeline, Feds Say
From Mexico To NY: 7 Linked To Fatal Shooting, Drug, Gun Pipeline, Feds Say Federal prosecutors have unsealed a sweeping indictment charging seven men with operating a violent drug trafficking and racketeering network that they say stretched from Mexico to the Hudson Valley, NY, and left an innocent bystander dead in Orange County.  The case, prosecuted in White Plains federal court, charges the men with narcotics distribution and importation, racketeering conspiracy, murder, firearms trafficking, and related crimes tied to years of activity in Middletown, Newburgh, and beyond, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tue…
Drains Clogged With Condoms Found At NY Spas In Federal Prostitution Case, DOJ Says Drains Clogged With Condoms Found At NY Spas In Federal Prostitution Case, DOJ Says
Drains Clogged With Condoms Found At NY Spas In Federal Prostitution Case, DOJ Says A New York woman is accused of running a multi-county prostitution ring at her massage parlors. Qingqin “Coco” Xie was charged with racketeering in Albany federal court on Wednesday, Aug. 20, following a two-year investigation involving the FBI, New York State Police, IRS, and Homeland Security Investigations. The probe culminated in a multi-agency police raid on Xie’s massage spas in Saratoga, Schenectady, Albany, Rensselaer, and Ulster counties, as Daily Voice reported. According to the criminal complaint, obtained by Daily Voice, online sex advertisements directed customers to Xie’s Moo…
MS-13's 'Creeper' Admits Role In Machete Murders Of 15-Year-Old, Second Victim In NY MS-13's 'Creeper' Admits Role In Machete Murders Of 15-Year-Old, Second Victim In NY
MS-13's 'Creeper' Admits Role In Machete Murders Of 15-Year-Old, Second Victim In NY A Long Island MS-13 gang member formally confessed to taking part in the gruesome killings of two young victims, nearly a decade after their deaths. Kevin Del Cid, 25, of Freeport, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, July 16, in connection with the 2016 machete killings of 20-year-old Kerin Pineda and 15-year-old Javier Castillo. Del Cid – also known by the alias “Creeper” – was a member of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside clique of the MS-13 gang at the time. He also pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Tw…
MS-13 Leader Who Terrorized NY Gets Decades For Role In 8 Murders, Including Teen Girls MS-13 Leader Who Terrorized NY Gets Decades For Role In 8 Murders, Including Teen Girls
MS-13 Leader Who Terrorized NY Gets Decades For Role In 8 Murders, Including Teen Girls A notorious MS-13 gang leader who led a bloody campaign of violence across Long Island — including the brutal slayings of two teenage girls in Brentwood — will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Alexi Saenz, 30, also known as “Blasty” and “Plaky,” was sentenced to 68 years in federal prison in Central Islip federal court Wednesday, June 3, for a violent crime spree that rocked Suffolk County in 2016 and 2017. Saenz, a high-ranking leader of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside clique of MS-13, pleaded guilty in 2024 to racketeering charges tied to eight murders, multiple attempted m…
Sean Combs Found Guilty On 2 Of 5 Counts In NY Sex Trafficking Trial Sean Combs Found Guilty On 2 Of 5 Counts In NY Sex Trafficking Trial
Sean Combs Found Guilty On 2 Of 5 Counts In NY Sex Trafficking Trial Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found guilty on two of the five charges the embattled worldwide superstar faced following a federal trial in New York. The 55-year-old music mogul was found guilty of sex trafficking and transportation for the purpose of prostitution but not guilty of the more serious charges against him.  The jury announced its decision on Wednesday morning, July 2. Here is a rundown of the charges and each verdict: Count 1: Racketeering conspiracy: Not guilty (maximum sentence: life) Count 2: Sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion (Victim 1): Not guilty Count…
Jury Reaches Verdict On 4 Of 5 Counts In Sean Combs Trial Jury Reaches Verdict On 4 Of 5 Counts In Sean Combs Trial
Jury Reaches Verdict On 4 Of 5 Counts In Sean Combs Trial They reached four verdicts, but left the biggest one hanging. Click here for a new, updated story - Sean Combs Found Guilty On 2 Of 5 Counts In NY Sex Trafficking Trial Jurors in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs told the court in New York they have reached decisions on four of the five charges facing the embattled music mogul, who remains detained in Brooklyn on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The holdout count is Count 1: racketeering conspiracy, the most serious of the charges and the one that could carry a life sentence if Combs is convicted. Combs, age 55, has …
Sex Slave Sting: Women Held In NJ Homes, Forced Into Brothels, AG Says Sex Slave Sting: Women Held In NJ Homes, Forced Into Brothels, AG Says
Sex Slave Sting: Women Held In NJ Homes, Forced Into Brothels, AG Says Eight people have been charged with racketeering and human trafficking for running a prostitution ring out of several homes in Trenton and Camden, authorities said. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced the charges on Tuesday, July 1, following a months-long investigation that began in May 2024. At least 15 victims were located during raids at five properties, investigators said. According to the criminal complaints, Vilma Deleon Bracamonte, also known as “Janet,” 55, of Hamilton, and Maria Soledad Xec Chan, 42, of Trenton, were the alleged ringleaders. They face charges …
27 Suspected  'Terrorist' Gang Members Face Sex Trafficking, Gun, Drug Charges In NY 27 Suspected  'Terrorist' Gang Members Face Sex Trafficking, Gun, Drug Charges In NY
27 Suspected 'Terrorist' Gang Members Face Sex Trafficking, Gun, Drug Charges In NY Twenty-seven suspected members and associates of the violent criminal organization Tren de Aragua are facing federal charges in New York.  These charges follow a large-scale investigation into racketeering, sex trafficking, drug smuggling, robbery, and firearms offenses, authorities announced. The two indictments, unsealed this week in the Southern District of New York, accuse the defendants of participating in a broad range of crimes.  The crimes include smuggling women from Venezuela into the United States, forcing them into commercial sex work, distributing a pink powdery drug…
Diddy Pleads Not Guilty: Past Westchester Resident Sean Combs Faces New Charges, Report Says Diddy Pleads Not Guilty: Past Westchester Resident Sean Combs Faces New Charges, Report Says
Diddy Pleads Not Guilty: Past Westchester Resident Sean Combs Faces New Charges, Report Says Embattled New York native and hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has pleaded not guilty to the latest charges against him as he and his legal team rapidly approach his trial for sex trafficking, racketeering, and more.  Combs, 55, pleaded not guilty to an expanded indictment against him during a hearing on Monday, April 14, according to a report by People.  The disgraced music icon faces one more count each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, which are both connected to a plaintiff only named as "Victim-2" in the indictment, the outlet reported.  C…
Lucchese Mob Ran Illegal Gambling Ring Across NJ; 39 Arrested Including Councilman: AG Lucchese Mob Ran Illegal Gambling Ring Across NJ; 39 Arrested Including Councilman: AG
Lucchese Mob Ran Illegal Gambling Ring Across NJ; 39 Arrested Including Councilman: AG A two-year investigation into an underground gambling empire allegedly run by members of the Lucchese Crime Family has led to charges against 39 individuals, including mob leaders, poker club managers, sportsbook agents — and even a sitting Prospect Park councilman, authorities said. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced the takedown on Friday, April 11, following multi-agency raids at 12 locations across northern New Jersey earlier in the week. Among the sites: four poker clubs operating out of Totowa, Garfield, and Woodland Park, including two hidden behind functioning restaurants,…
Iran Sent Hitmen To Kill NY Journalist: Two Mobsters Convicted In Foiled Plot Iran Sent Hitmen To Kill NY Journalist: Two Mobsters Convicted In Foiled Plot
Iran Sent Hitmen To Kill NY Journalist: Two Mobsters Convicted In Foiled Plot Two Eastern European mobsters were convicted in a chilling plot to assassinate an Iranian-American journalist on US soil—at the behest of the Iranian government. A Manhattan federal jury found Rafat Amirov, 46, of Iran, and Polad Omarov, 40, of Georgia, guilty on all five counts related to a murder-for-hire scheme targeting journalist and human rights activist Masih Alinejad on Thursday, March 20. The pair orchestrated the plan under orders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), offering a hitman $500,000 to kill Alinejad outside her Brooklyn home, according to prosecutors. …
Diddy's Attorney Steps Down: Can't 'Effectively Serve' Past Westchester Resident, Reports Say Diddy's Attorney Steps Down: Can't 'Effectively Serve' Past Westchester Resident, Reports Say
Diddy's Attorney Steps Down: Can't 'Effectively Serve' Past Westchester Resident, Reports Say A member of the legal team for embattled New York native and hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has stepped down from the case, according to reports.  In a request submitted to the Southern District of New York on Friday, Feb. 21, attorney Anthony Ricco filed a motion to leave Diddy's case, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.  In his filing, Ricco reportedly gave a short statement with a vague explanation, as reported by Deadline: "Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I con…
NY's Top Prosecutor Resigns After Orders To Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams: Reports NY's Top Prosecutor Resigns After Orders To Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams: Reports
NY's Top Prosecutor Resigns After Orders To Drop Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams: Reports Following orders to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Danielle Sassoon has decided to resign, according to reports.  Sassoon, who took the position in January following the resignation of Damian Williams, announced her resignation in a short statement to her colleagues, NBC News and The New York Times reported on Thursday, Feb. 13.  According to NBC, Sassoon, who resigned alongside two senior federal prosecutors in Washington, made the decision only three days after receiving a me…
Luchese Soldier, Associates From Westchester Admit Role in Mafia Gambling Scheme Luchese Soldier, Associates From Westchester Admit Role in Mafia Gambling Scheme
Luchese Soldier, Associates From Westchester Admit Role in Mafia Gambling Scheme A high-ranking member of the Luchese crime family and several associates from Westchester have pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and illegal gambling as part of a sweeping federal case targeting organized crime, officials announced.  Anthony Villani, a 60-year-old Elmsford resident and a soldier in the Luchese crime family, entered his guilty plea on Thursday, Jan. 30 in federal court in Brooklyn. As part of his plea deal, he will forfeit $4 million in illicit proceeds, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.  Villani was one of…
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York
Joseph Nocella Named United States Attorney For Eastern District Of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., a veteran prosecutor and judge with an extensive legal background, has been named the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, according to a statement from former President Donald J. Trump. “Judge Nocella has a strong record of bringing Law and Order to the incredible people of New York,” Trump said in the announcement. “Congratulations, Judge Nocella!” Nocella served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District from 1991 to 1995, prosecuting cases involving racketeering, extortion, and fraud. His work earned recognition from the FBI direc…
Leaders Of Gang Involved In Peekskill Armed Robbery Get Decades In Jail Leaders Of Gang Involved In Peekskill Armed Robbery Get Decades In Jail
Leaders Of Gang Involved In Peekskill Armed Robbery Get Decades In Jail Two high-ranking leaders of a violent gang involved in multiple violent incidents throughout Westchester will spend decades in prison, officials announced.  Bronx resident Dwight Reid, age 52, and Brooklyn resident Christopher Erskine, age 41, were both sentenced to 35 years in prison for their leadership of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang, a violent street and prison organization that has operated in Westchester County, other parts of New York State, and across the country, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, …
Lawsuit Alleges Westchester's Sean Combs Sexually Assaulted 10-Year-Old: Report Lawsuit Alleges Westchester's Sean Combs Sexually Assaulted 10-Year-Old: Report
Lawsuit Alleges Westchester's Sean Combs Sexually Assaulted 10-Year-Old: Report The latest lawsuits filed against hip-hop mogul and New York native Sean Combs are accusing him of sexually assaulting both a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old boy in separate incidents, according to reports.  The two civil lawsuits were filed against Combs on Monday, Oct. 28, according to a report by ABC News. The outlet reported that the first of the lawsuits alleges that the parents of a 10-year-old boy beginning a music career brought him to New York from Los Angeles to meet with Combs so he could meet people in the industry. Once there, Combs allegedly told the family's consultan…
Here's How Westchester's Sean Combs Broke Social Media Silence After Sex Trafficking Arrest Here's How Westchester's Sean Combs Broke Social Media Silence After Sex Trafficking Arrest
Here's How Westchester's Sean Combs Broke Social Media Silence After Sex Trafficking Arrest Almost a month after his arrest for federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, hip-hop mogul and New York native Sean Combs has broken his silence on his social media pages.  On Tuesday, Oct. 15, a post appeared an on Instagram page belonging to Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County's Mount Vernon and will stand trial in May for federal charges.  Although the post is the first to be made following Combs's arrest, it does not address the allegations against him; instead, it celebrates the birthday of the embattled star's young 2-yea…
Here's When Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Will Stand Trial For Sex Trafficking: Report Here's When Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Will Stand Trial For Sex Trafficking: Report
Here's When Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Will Stand Trial For Sex Trafficking: Report Hip hop mogul and New York native Sean Combs has learned when he will stand trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, according to a report by The New York Times.  Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County's Mount Vernon, will stand trial in May 2025 following his arrest on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17 on a three-count indictment, The New York Times reported.  The trial's starting date, Monday, May 5, was set by Judge Arun Subramanian of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, the newspaper ad…
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Mom Calls Allegations Against Him 'Lies': Report Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Mom Calls Allegations Against Him 'Lies': Report
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Mom Calls Allegations Against Him 'Lies': Report As New York native and hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs faces federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, his mother is coming to his defense while also admitting he has made mistakes, according to reports.  Combs's mother, Janice Small Combs, released a statement defending her son, who was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 17 on a three-count indictment accusing him of running a criminal enterprise that involved sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, BBC reported on Monday, Oct. 7.  Earlier Report - Mount Vernon's Sean 'D…
50 Cent's Docuseries On Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Coming To Netflix: Report 50 Cent's Docuseries On Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Coming To Netflix: Report
50 Cent's Docuseries On Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Coming To Netflix: Report Amid hip hop mogul and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing legal battles, fellow rapper 50 Cent has found a new way to take a shot at his longtime rival.  In a social media post on Wednesday, Sept. 25, famous rapper 50 Cent hinted at his upcoming docuseries focusing on Combs' alleged criminal activity, according to a report by Variety. The outlet reported that the series, directed by Alexandria Stapleton, is now in production and will go over sex trafficking and racketeering allegations against Combs, who grew up in Westchester County in the city of Mount Vernon. It will eventu…
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report Days after being federally charged with sex trafficking and racketeering offenses, hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs is on suicide watch as he waits for his trial in prison, according to a report by People.  Following his arrest, the 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon was remanded to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Sept. 17, where he has been placed on suicide watch, according to People.  The outlet reported that it is not known if Combs is suicidal or how exactly how long he …
Westchester's  Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds Westchester's  Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds Following several lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and other abuses, successful hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs now faces federal sex trafficking charges, officials announced.  Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, was arrested on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17 on a three-count indictment, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, beginning as far back as 2008, Combs ran a criminal enterprise that involved sex trafficking, forced…
Westchester Spa Selling Sex For Cash Exposed In Federal Investigation, US Attorney Says Westchester Spa Selling Sex For Cash Exposed In Federal Investigation, US Attorney Says
Westchester Spa Selling Sex For Cash Exposed In Federal Investigation, US Attorney Says Four people have been charged with offering sexual favors at nine different massage parlors and spas across North Jersey and New York, federal officials said. Zhejun Piao, 37, a Chinese national, Miyeon Choi, 37, a South Korean national, Shangxian Cui, 36, Chinese national, and Meixiang Jin, 34, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise., U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday, Aug. 9. The following nine spas and massage parlors owned and operated by …
NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia
NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia An associate of the Genovese organized crime family known as “Sal the Shoemaker” admitted to operating an illegal gambling business associated with La Cosa Nostra. Long Island resident Salvatore Rubino, age 60, of Bethpage, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 16, at federal court in Brooklyn to operating the business. Earlier this month, four co-defendant members and associates of the Genovese crime family admitted to various felony charges stemming from their long-running operation of several lucrative gambling operations in New York City. Of the five charged, four are from Long Isl…
Former NYPD Officer From Mohegan Lake Gets Years In Prison Former NYPD Officer From Mohegan Lake Gets Years In Prison
Former Nypd Officer From Mohegan Lake Gets Years In Prison A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester will spend years in prison for warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, officials said.  Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, age 33, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, March 29. Earlier Report - Former N…
Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Yorktown Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has admitted to warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, federal officials said. Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old former NYPD officer, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to her obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, Dec. 7. Earlier Report -…
8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated US-Italian Takedown: Feds 8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated US-Italian Takedown: Feds
8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated Us-italian Takedown: Feds A total of 16 people in the United States and Italy have been charged after a two-year investigation that targeted members of New York's notorious Gambino crime family and some of its Sicilian associates. A 16-count indictment was unsealed on Wednesday, Nov. 8 in federal court in Brooklyn detailing the alleged involvement of the 10 Americans -- eight New Yorkers and two New Jersey residents -- in an attempt to dominate the New York carting and demolition industries. The 10 Americans have been charged with racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and union-related crimes comm…
Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Yorktown Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Yorktown Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has been charged with warning gang members about details of a federal investigation into them, as well as helping the group's leader to escape capture for a murder he committed, officials said. Former NYPD officer Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old Mohegan Lake resident, was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 15 for her role in obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang as well as serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the group, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced o…
Northern Westchester Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Northern Westchester Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering
Northern Westchester Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Six members and associates of the Genovese organized crime family, including a Westchester man and a Fairfield County resident, have been sentenced on racketeering charges, federal officials said.  The sentencings were announced on Friday, Aug. 4 by US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.  According to Williams, the six men were associated with the Genovese Organized Crime Family, part of a nationwide criminal organization known by various names such as "La Cosa Nostra" and the “Mafia."  Those sentenced included two "captains," who were r…
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country A former New York City Police Department detective and four other men have been charged as members of an organized crew that conducted residential robberies across the country, including Westchester.  The unsealing of the five suspects' indictments was announced on Thursday, June 8 by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  The five men charged with participating in the string of violent armed robberies are:  Bronx resident Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, age 41, also known as "Pito"; Queens resident Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, age 31, also known as "Nene" a…