BRONX, N.Y. - Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark; Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), New York Division; and James P. O’Neill, New York City Police Commissioner announced that 14 people have been indicted on Conspiracy and other charges for dealing crack cocaine in the John Adams Houses in Mott Haven.
DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, “DEA applauds the law enforcement collaboration that led to today’s arrests. This unity was a force multiplier in our goal of removing drug dealing from the Adams Housing Projects and surrounding areas."
District Attorney Clark said, “Thanks to the efforts of a year-long joint investigation, we have eliminated a drug organization that affected the quality of life of residents of this city housing complex. The defendants not only peddled crack cocaine but they did so publicly as well as in stairwells and jeopardizing the safety of the entire building. We will continue to pursue and prosecute those who endanger our communities."
New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said, “I commend the investigators and prosecutors whose efforts resulted in these arrests involving narcotics sales in and around the Adams Houses. The NYPD continues to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold responsible those who distribute narcotics in our communities."
District Attorney Clark said the defendants are variously charged in six indictments with Conspiracy, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, second-degree Attempted Burglary and Possession of Burglar’s Tools.
Thirteen of the defendants were arrested on Thursday March 1, 2018 by NYPD Bronx Narcotics Violent Crime Squad, Bronx DA Investigators and agents from the DEA. They were arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert A. Neary and are due back in court on May 30, 2018. They face up to nine years in prison on the top count.
According to the investigation, which utilized court-authorized eavesdropping, between Feb. 23, 2017 to Feb. 26, 2018, the defendants sold and distributed cocaine in the John Adams Houses, with undercover officers making 32 buys of crack cocaine. Three defendants are also charged with Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, and for possessing a crow bar, a wrench, a lock pick and a drill in relation to a planned break-in of a Bronx home.
The investigation also resulted in the arrest of Raymond Valdez, who has been indicted for the Sept. 30, 2017 murder of Pedro Adrono.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
DEFENDANTS
Ebony Lanier 43, 835 East 152 Street, Bronx
Allan Rivera, 31, 520 East 137 Street, Bronx
Alexis Castro, 40, 1028 East 212 Street Bronx
Davon Dilworth, 26, 1990 7th Avenue Manhattan
Billy Diaz, 44, 644 Wales Avenue Bronx
Jamel McDonald, 34, 880 Tinton Avenue Bronx
Joshua Taylor, 28, 721 Tinton Avenue Bronx
Kristopher Meade, 39 107 East 105 Street Manhattan
Lamont Davis, 27, 680 Tinton Avenue Bronx
Robert Dixon, 38, 664 Union Avenue Bronx
Theodore Brooks, 34, 700 East 156 Street Bronx
Saul Colon, 35, 345 East 145 Street, Bronx
Raymond Valdez, 29, 790 East 152 Street
Tabitha Henry, 25, 680 Tinton Avenue Apt (Not Yet Apprehended)
