A federal jury found Samuel Bautista, also known as “Sammy,” guilty of racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, assault, and additional firearms and drug-related charges on July 24. The verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton. Bautista is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2.
Clayton said, “On the evening of January 19, 2022, Bautista, an armed drug trafficker, shot at a rival dealer but missed, instead striking an 11-month-old baby girl who was seated in a car seat beside her mother in the face. Somehow, she survived, but with devastating injuries. It was such an outrageous crime that it captured the attention of people across this city and this country the night it occurred. New Yorkers want gun-toting criminals off our streets and we hear them. We will not allow armed drug traffickers to take this city from the women and men who are raising their families here. And to the gangs who think the streets of New York are their territory to fight over, we remind you that you can cover your head, you can cover your face, but eventually, we will find you. And when we find you, you will be convicted and you will go to federal prison.”
According to charging documents and evidence presented at trial before U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels during a two-week trial, Bautista was part of “2860,” a violent drug-trafficking organization based at 2860 Grand Concourse in the Bronx from 2011 through 2023. Members distributed large quantities of crack cocaine on Bronx streets while engaging in violent clashes with rival dealers.
Bautista had previously been convicted for similar offenses but resumed armed drug trafficking after his release from federal prison in 2016. On January 19, 2022—the date of the shooting—he fired at a rival dealer during one such clash but instead struck an infant girl.
Several co-conspirators from “2860” have already pled guilty and await sentencing; the targeted rival dealer has also been convicted on multiple charges.
Clayton praised law enforcement agencies involved in investigating and prosecuting this case—including the New York City Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation—and acknowledged support from other agencies such as the Bureau of Prisons and Utica Police Department.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative focused on combating violent crime through coordinated efforts among federal districts tailored to address local public safety challenges.