Zakewon McDaniel, known as “Gap” and “Yung Gap,” was sentenced to life in prison plus a mandatory 10-year consecutive term by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport for his role as a leader of the 960 gang, a violent street gang based in Waterbury.
The sentencing was announced by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
Authorities have been investigating drug trafficking and violence associated with several groups in Waterbury, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury indicted McDaniel and 15 other members on charges such as racketeering, murder, attempted murder and assault, firearm possession, narcotics trafficking, and obstruction of justice.
Evidence presented at trial detailed several incidents involving McDaniel:
On October 31, 2017, members of the 960 gang carried out a drive-by shooting at Porter Street and Bank Street targeting rival gang members. One person was wounded during this incident. Investigators recovered shell casings from four firearms at the scene and identified the car used by those involved. DNA from McDaniel was found on the steering wheel.
On November 22, 2017, McDaniel along with Malik Bayon and Tahjay Love shot at Clarence Lewis and Antonio Santos while they were inside a car at a restaurant in Waterbury. Lewis crashed his vehicle while fleeing; both he and Santos died at the scene. Shell casings linked two firearms used here to those from the October shooting. McDaniel’s DNA was also found on a gun magazine left behind.
On December 29, 2017, shortly before 9:00 p.m., McDaniel shot and injured another individual—the father of a rival gang member—outside his residence while taking out trash. Members filmed themselves wearing masks near the location minutes before this attack.
McDaniel and other members promoted their group through rap videos that depicted violence involving firearms and drugs; some lyrics referenced specific criminal acts committed by members.
McDaniel has been held since January 3, 2018.
A jury convicted McDaniel on February 14, 2024 for conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity with special circumstances; murder under Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VCAR); two counts related to causing death using firearms during crimes of violence; attempted murder; assault with a dangerous weapon tied to racketeering activity; as well as carrying/using firearms during these crimes. Love was convicted for obstruction of justice while Bayon faced convictions related to drug distribution (heroin/fentanyl), unlawful firearm possession by a felon and possession connected to drug trafficking offenses.
Love and Bayon are awaiting sentencing.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force led efforts alongside Waterbury Police Department, ATF Boston Field Division & U.S Marshals Service—with assistance from local police departments across Southington, Watertown & New Milford—as well as state-level organizations like Connecticut State Police & Forensic Science Laboratory plus DEA Laboratory support.
Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S Attorneys Geoffrey M Stone, John T Pierpont Jr., Natasha M Freismuth along with Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E Therkildesen Jr., Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo—both cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S Attorneys for this case.
"This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) & Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs."
