Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging eight members and associates of the 18th Street gang with racketeering crimes. The charges include racketeering conspiracy involving narcotics and firearms trafficking, production and sale of fraudulent identification documents, extortion, and assaults in aid of racketeering. One defendant is also charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm.
Seven defendants were apprehended in New York City and are scheduled for arraignment this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl M. Pollak. An additional defendant, already in custody on separate charges, is expected to be arraigned tomorrow.
The announcement was made by Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI's New York Field Office; Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the NYPD; and Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney.
“This indictment represents a significant step in our ongoing effort to dismantle violent gang networks in our communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. He emphasized that "the 18th Street gang exploited a Queens neighborhood as a hub for violence and illicit activity."
Nocella expressed appreciation to various agencies for their assistance with the case, including the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the FBI New York Metro Safe Streets Task Force, Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General – New York Office, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security’s ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
FBI Assistant Director Raia noted that “those arrested today acted and behaved with callous and cruel disregard for those around them." He added that "our actions today represent yet another example of the FBI’s commitment to crushing the violent transnational gangs plaguing our communities.”
Queens District Attorney Katz stated that "the defendants in this case are accused of unleashing terror onto Queens communities through brutal assaults" while emphasizing her office's commitment to combating such enterprises.
According to court documents, the 18th Street gang operates as a violent transnational criminal organization divided into several cliques across North America. The defendants belong to the “54 Tiny Locos” clique controlling parts of Jackson Heights through violence and other criminal activities like drug-dealing and document fraud.
The indictment details three specific assaults: one occurring on December 31, 2021; another on January 15, 2022; and a third on June 20, 2024—all involving serious injuries to victims believed or alleged to be rival gang members or civilians caught in altercations.
The charges are part of Operation Take Back America under DOJ initiatives targeting transnational criminal organizations while restoring law order nationwide—additionally supported by Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).
Prosecution is led by Assistant U.S Attorneys Lauren A Bowman Andy Palacio Kamil R Ammari from Organized Crime Gang Section within Eastern District NY office handling government's case docket number E.D.N.Y No25CR196 against Felix Bonilla Ramos Uriel Lopez Refugio Martinez Margarito Ortega Orlando Ramirez German Rodriguez David Vasquez Corona Marco Vidal Mendez all residents previously Elmhurst Woodhaven Jackson Heights Corona areas charged varying degrees involvement mentioned offenses alleged herein proceedings upcoming sessions scheduled aforementioned dates pending trial determination outcome based evidence presented beyond reasonable doubt jury adjudication
