Bronx DA: WASHSIDE GANG INDICTED

WASHSIDE GANG INDICTED

37 Members of Washside Gang Indicted on Charges

      Including Conspiracy, Attempted Murder, and Robbery

(Bronx, NY – December 3, 2015) – Bronx County District Attorney Robert T. Johnson and New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton announced today a takedown of 37 alleged members and leaders of Washside – a set of the Bloods gang comprised of younger members who are attempting to “earn their stripes” and which operated throughout the Bronx. The 54 count indictment includes charges of Conspiracy, Attempted Murder, Robbery, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon over an approximate 5 year period ending November 20^th, 2015.

Those alleged Washside leaders/members under indictment for Conspiracy in the 1^st Degree with intent to commit Murder in the 2^nd Degree are:

Those indicted for related offenses which include Conspiracy in the 2^nd Degree and Attempted Murder in the 2^ndDegree are:

The defendants were arraigned yesterday and today in Bronx Supreme Court.  The defendants who were present pled not guilty before Justice Steven Barrett in Part 60. The case has been adjourned until 2/29/16 in Part 60.

The indictment alleges that members of Washside frequently discussed their alleged crimes on Facebook, including bragging about and planning for violent confrontations with rival gang Sev-O. On January 21, 2013, one member told Malcom Bland in a conversation on Facebook that “LEFTY WANT TO MOB SEV O TOMORROW,” indicating their intent to attack the rival gang.

Members also posted on Facebook photographs of themselves with weapons, made suggestions on where to get guns and how much they cost, and made references to their organizational hierarchy and court appearances.

In addition to the Conspiracy charges in today’s indictment, the following individuals have been previously indicted in Bronx County for the following crimes:

Michael Smith, Sean Presley, and Donna Adams are charged with Attempted Murder as well as Attempted Assault and Criminal Possession of a Weapon for the April 28, 2014, shooting of Daryl Ethridge. All three defendants allegedly discharged weapons in the direction of Ethridge multiple times. Ethridge was struck once and received treatment at a local Bronx Hospital.

Shaun Crandle is charged with Attempted Murder, Attempted Assault, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon for the June 25^th, 2014, attempted shooting of police officer Mauricio Thomas. In the course of investigating a 911 call, Officer Thomas was interviewing witnesses when he observed the defendant to have a firearm in his hand. When Thomas gave chase to Crandle, Crandle allegedly pointed the firearm at Officer Thomas and fired at him. Officer Thomas was not struck.

Talik Sims is charged with Attempted Murder, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Reckless Endangerment for the September 16, 2014 incident in which he allegedly fired multiple shots in the direction of a group of 10 civilians. A loaded firearm was recovered from the scene and no civilians were injured.

The three shooting incidents above have been consolidated into the Conspiracy indictment.

Police Commissioner Bratton stated, “The violence allegedly committed by these individuals is heinous, victimizing the community in and around the Morris Houses for far too long.  This investigation and subsequent arrests sends a strong message-the NYPD will be methodical and relentless with anyone who willfully engages in categorical violence.”

The crimes in the 54-count indictment are:

Conspiracy in the 1st Degree (Class A felony)

Conspiracy in the 2^nd Degree (Class B felony)

Conspiracy in the 3^rd Degree (Class C felony)

Conspiracy in the 4^th Degree (Class E felony)

Robbery in the 1^st Degree (Class B felony)

Robbery in the 2^nd Degree (Class C felony)

Robbery in the 3^rd Degree (Class D felony)

Attempted Murder in the 2^nd Degree (Class B felony)

Attempted Assault in the 1^st Degree (Class C felony)

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd Degree (Class C felony)

Criminal Possession of a Firearm in the 3^rd Degree (Class E felony)

Reckless Endangerment in the 1^st Degree (Class D felony)

Reckless Endangerment in the 2^nd Degree (Class A misdemeanor)

Assault in the 2^nd Degree (Class D Felony)

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4^th Degree (Class E felony)

The charges against these defendants are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

District Attorney Johnson also wishes to thank NYPD Housing PSA 7, New York City’s42^nd Precinct, the New York City Department of Corrections Intelligence Unit, the NYPD’s ASIC Unit, and the NYPD’s Warrant Squad.

The case against Washside is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant Christine Scaccia and A.D.A. Cheryl Thill of the Bronx DA Gangs/Major Case Bureau.