Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MICHAEL WHITE, a leader of a violent street gang known as the “Young Gunnaz," was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his participation in the Young Gunnaz, including an attempted murder of three individuals at a subway station on Oct. 28, 2012. WHITE was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and a firearms offense following a two-week trial in October 2018 before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet. U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres imposed today’s sentence.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Michael White, a gang leader, was responsible for a shooting spree in and around NYCHA’s Mill Brook Houses. He shot rival gang members in front of a public school, in a community center, and in a subway station. Today’s sentence recognizes the serious impact of gun violence in our communities. We will continue to aggressively prosecute all who engage in these senseless acts of violence."
According to the evidence presented in court during the trial:
From at least in or about 2010 through in or about October 2017, WHITE was a member of the Young Gunnaz set of the YGz based in the Mill Brook Houses. WHITE was also a member of MBG, also known as “Money Bitches Guns," a local gang based in the Mill Brook Houses. As part of his membership in both gangs, WHITE shot seven people. Specifically, on Jan. 25, 2010, WHITE shot and injured a 16-year-old rival on a street corner in the Mill Brook Houses. On Jan. 31, 2010, WHITE shot and injured an 18-year-old rival at a baby shower. Later on Jan. 31, 2010, WHITE shot a rival gang member near a building in the Mill Brook Houses, causing the individual to suffer life threatening injuries. On Feb. 12, 2010, WHITE shot and injured an 18-year-old rival outside a public school. On Oct. 28, 2012, WHITE shot and injured three individuals in the Cypress Avenue Subway Station.
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Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandra Rothman, Jordan Estes, and Gina Castellano are in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
