Robert Wilson, a/k/a “RO," Kevin Crosby, a/k/a “Sama," and Yefrel Brito, a/k/a “Mini" are Charged with the January 2019 Murder of Nelson Ramos
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI"), James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD"), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI"), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ROBERT WILSON, a/k/a “RO," KEVIN CROSBY, a/k/a “Sama," and YEFREL BRITO, a/k/a “Mini," with murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses in connection with the murder of Nelson Ramos on January 6, 2019, in the Bronx. WILSON is also charged with participating in a racketeering conspiracy.
WILSON and CROSBY were arrested last night. BRITO was already in federal custody, having been previously charged with narcotics trafficking. CROSBY was presented today before Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. WILSON and BRITO will be presented this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged in the indictment, these defendants are responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Nelson Ramos earlier this year. We commend the extraordinary efforts of our law enforcement partners to bring these defendants to justice."
HSI Special Agent-in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said: “These gang members are alleged to not only brandish firearms and deal drugs in their own Bronx neighborhood, but they are also known to threaten acts of violence against rival gangs. HSI will continue to work with the NYPD, and its law enforcement partners, to rid our city streets of gangs, like the Stevenson Commons Crew, and the drugs and violence they promote."
DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said: “This investigation demonstrates how gang violence, and the murders, drugs and other crimes associated with it, rips at the fabric of communities, terrorizes residents, and destroys New Yorkers’ lives. Many of the charged crimes in this case took place in public housing in the Bronx, and DOI contributed its expertise on how violence and criminality can take root in these communities. Working in partnership with the NYPD, the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, DOI is proud to be part of the team to protect New York neighborhoods and hold accountable those individuals who perpetrate serious and devastating crimes."
NYPD Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “Exceptional collaboration among the NYPD and its local law enforcement partners have resulted in the successful dismantling of this violent street gang. To ensure the safety of our neighborhoods, we must continue to be vigilant about combating gang activity wherever it occurs."
According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
WILSON and CROSBY are members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as the Stevenson Commons Crew. In order to fund the enterprise, protect and expand its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Stevenson Commons Crew committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence against rival gangs, including murder and robbery; conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics; and obtained, possessed and used firearms, including by brandishing and discharging them.
BRITO is a member or associate of a racketeering enterprise known as Sex Money Murder, a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in, among other things, murder, attempted murder, and narcotics trafficking.
On January 6, 2019, WILSON, CROSBY, and BRITO murdered Nelson Ramos in the vicinity of 800 Soundview Avenue in the Bronx, New York.
* * *
WILSON, 28, CROSBY, 23, and BRITO, 21, all from the Bronx, New York, are each charged with one count of murder and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of murder through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. WILSON is also charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of HSI and the NYPD.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew K. Chan and Justin V. Rodriguez are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
