Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Six individuals alleged to be members of a Bronx-based group known as the "Elsmere Crew" have been charged in connection with a series of violent incidents that occurred in 2020, resulting in two deaths and one non-fatal shooting. The charges were announced by Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, alongside Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office, and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
The Superseding Indictment names Storm Jones; Michael Ortiz, also known as “Dot”; Randy Maccow; Mario Medina, also known as “Flacco”; Jayson Holland, also known as “Jerry” or “Ninety”; and Francis Ofori, also known as “Ghana.” The indictment covers the August 2, 2020 killing of Clarence Adams, age 53; the September 1, 2020 murder of Jeffrey German, age 29; and a November 3, 2020 shooting in which the victim survived. All defendants were previously held in city or state custody before being transferred to federal custody. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.
“As alleged, these defendants wreaked havoc across a Bronx neighborhood through a string of robberies and killings,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers want and deserve safe streets and those who pursue violence as a way of life will be brought to justice.”
“As alleged, these defendants carried out their violent sprees with depravity, which resulted in the deaths of two victims and the near loss of a third,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “However long it takes, HSI New York, the NYPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York will relentlessly target violent criminals to ensure no victims suffer in vain and the public remains as safe as possible.”
“These alleged Elsmere crew members carried out cold-blooded murders, violent crime sprees, and tried to dodge accountability—all while carrying illegal guns and illicit narcotics,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Two New Yorkers lost their lives, another was seriously injured, and entire communities were shattered by this violence. The NYPD’s strategy is simple: to keep our streets safe, remove gangs from the equation—and that’s why we have carried out more than 50 gang-related takedowns and arrested almost 400 gang members this year alone. I want to thank the NYPD investigators, HSI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their relentless work to make sure these defendants are brought to justice.”
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings—which remain allegations—the Elsmere Crew used a residence at 804 Elsmere Place in the Bronx as a base for drug use and sales as well as planning crimes involving firearms.
On August 2, 2020, Storm Jones allegedly shot Clarence Adams after Adams confronted him about drug dealing activity nearby; Jones then returned to meet other crew members at their base on Elsmere Place.
In fall 2020, prosecutors allege that Jones along with Ortiz, Maccow, Medina, Holland (and later Ofori) planned two robberies near their gathering spot by luring victims under false pretenses involving marijuana transactions before robbing them at gunpoint.
The first robbery on September 1 resulted in Jeffrey German being shot and killed by Jones along with Ortiz, Maccow, Medina and Holland participating. On November 3rd during another robbery attempt involving Ortiz and Ofori among others from the crew—a victim was shot but survived.
Charges include conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery related to German's death; Hobbs Act robbery; murder through use of a firearm; firearm use/carrying/possession; additional counts related to non-fatal shootings; narcotics conspiracy; and further firearm offenses connected with Adams' homicide.
If convicted on all counts where applicable statutes allow maximum penalties ranging up to life imprisonment.
The investigation involved significant collaboration between federal agents from HSI New York Field Office and detectives from NYPD's specialized units focused on organized crime.
Mr. Clayton commended both agencies for their investigative efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman and Patrick R. Moroney are prosecuting this case within the Violent and Organized Crimes Unit at SDNY.
All charges listed remain allegations until proven otherwise in court.
