Buffalo, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ritchie Juarbe, 26, who was convicted of Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, was sentenced to 210 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was a member of the Cheko’s Crew/7th Street Gang which was responsible for multiple acts of violence and the distribution of illegal narcotics on the West Side of Buffalo between 2000 and 2012. The narcotics included heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana.
On November 6, 2008 Juarbe and co-defendant Efrain Hildalgo went to Raquan Lloyd’s house where Hidalgo shot and killed Lloyd. After the murder, Juarbe discarded the murder weapon, throwing it into the Niagara River. Juarbe also participated in the Aug. 11, 2009 murder of 10th St. Gang associate Eric Morrow.
A total of 18 defendants have been charged and convicted in the 7th Street case.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Steven Nigrelli, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
