Earlier today, federal court in Central Islip unsealed a 12-count superseding indictment against Joshua Crowell, also known as "Twiggy," and Bruce King, also known as "Brucey." Both are linked to the Bloods gang and face charges of assault in aid of racketeering. Crowell is additionally charged with distributing fentanyl resulting in death and serious injury. The alleged crimes occurred in Suffolk County between 2021 and 2024. The defendants were arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst and detained pending trial.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York John J. Durham announced the charges alongside Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, Acting Special Agent Michael Alfonso from Homeland Security Investigations New York, and Suffolk County Police Department Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
"The charges in the superseding indictment highlight the extreme danger that violent gangs like the Bloods pose to the people of Long Island, ranging from shootings that injure bystanders to dealing lethal drugs that claim lives and destroy families," stated United States Attorney Durham. He emphasized collaboration with federal and local partners to enhance community safety by dismantling street gangs.
District Attorney Tierney noted, "These alleged gang members represent a grave threat to the safety and stability of our community." He pointed out their involvement in violence such as a shooting incident in Southampton that injured three victims, along with distributing fentanyl—a substance he described as devastating to families across Suffolk County.
HSI Acting Special Agent Alfonso remarked on the defendants' disregard for human life through violence and drug distribution: "HSI and its law enforcement partners will continue to identify, disrupt, and dismantle violent gangs operating within our community."
SCPD Commissioner Catalina commented on the impact of these individuals: "For years, these individuals have been a scourge on our community through the distribution of fentanyl and vicious gang-related shootings."
The indictment details multiple acts of violence committed by Crowell and King on behalf of the Bloods. Notably, they allegedly opened fire at a party hosted by rival gang members in Southampton using an AK-47 style assault rifle among other firearms. The incident left three non-gang member attendees wounded.
Crowell is also accused of running a drug trafficking network involving fentanyl sales that resulted in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses between May 2022 and June 2023.
Both defendants face potential life imprisonment if convicted. The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at targeting high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among various law enforcement agencies.
Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley T. King, James R. Simmons, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Donald N. Barclay are leading the prosecution effort.
