In federal court at Central Islip, Jason Liriano, identified as the founder and leader of the "Route Boys" gang, received a sentence of 22 years in prison. This ruling, handed down by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown, came as a result of Liriano pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and use of firearms in support of drug trafficking. The plea was submitted in September 2023.
John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, alongside Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, publicized the sentencing outcomes. "For two years the Route Boys, led by Liriano, engaged in a brazen crime spree targeting local businesses throughout the Tri-State area, stealing money and pharmaceuticals to fuel their illegal drug business, which they protected with threats of violence and illegal firearms," Durham stated. He emphasized, "These significant jail sentences make our communities safer."
The gang, active from late 2020 through June 2022, committed numerous burglaries across Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, extending their criminal reach to New Jersey and Connecticut. Liriano's case marks the concluding sentence for the 10 Route Boys defendants implicated in a series of charges including drug distribution, firearm use, and a range of burglaries and thefts.
Raia commented on the criminal activities, stating, "Jason Liriano, the leader of the Route Boys gang, orchestrated a three-year burglary spree targeting various businesses across the city to steal cash and controlled substances for illicit resale."
Investigative efforts also unveiled a pattern of post-arrest misconduct among gang members, including witness tampering, possession of contraband, and engagement in further criminal activities while incarcerated.
A deliberate effort to dismantle the gang's operation involved cooperation among multiple agencies. Durham acknowledged the New York City Police Department, Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, and other law enforcement partners for their roles in the investigation.
Prior sentences for other Route Boys members ranged from 60 to 180 months in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Alessi and Andrew P. Wenzel, aided by Paralegal Specialist Dejah Turla.
A detailed government account provided insights into the gang's operations, including pharmacy burglaries and the resale of stolen pharmaceuticals, underscoring the persistent threat they posed to community safety.
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