Earlier today in Brooklyn federal court, Marcus Pittman, also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese,” pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm resulting in death during a kidnapping, robbery, and murder that occurred on July 25, 2024. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. Pittman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.
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; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.
“Today, the defendant pleaded guilty to an execution-style, drug-related killing carried out in the rear of a U-Haul van in brutal fashion,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Marcus Pittman was the trigger man of this robbery crew that traveled to our District for the purpose of kidnapping and robbing marijuana dealers. I commend our excellent prosecutors, the FBI Special Agents, and NYPD detectives whose outstanding work has brought all six defendants to justice for their brutal crimes.”
“With five other defendants, Marcus Pittman orchestrated a kidnapping and armed robbery of two local marijuana dealers before executing a restrained captive in the back of a U-Haul,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Pittman demonstrated an utter disregard for human life by shooting a defenseless rival in cold blood. May today’s plea send a message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable anyone who travels to our city to wage unnecessary violence and death.”
Court records show that during the night spanning July 24 into July 25, 2024, Pittman and his co-defendants conducted an armed robbery targeting two marijuana dealers identified as John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 at a stash house in Queens after traveling from Maryland to New York with intent to commit robbery.
Co-defendants Jerome Waters and William Barnett initially met with both victims under false pretenses before brandishing weapons inside the stash house. They were joined by Marcus Pittman and his brother Delonta Pittman to carry out further acts during which both victims were restrained with zip ties then forced into vehicles—a Jeep and a U-Haul van—while approximately 30 pounds of marijuana was stolen from the premises.
While driving through Queens at gunpoint demanding drugs and money from their captives, Jalon Garrett held John Doe #2 at gunpoint while Marcus Pittman guarded John Doe #1 inside the U-Haul van driven by Calvin Israel. Shortly after these events began unfolding, Marcus Pittman shot John Doe #1 dead inside the van’s rear compartment. The group then returned to Maryland.
First responders later discovered John Doe #1’s body still bound by zip ties among bags of marijuana.
The other five co-defendants—Barnett, Delonta Pittman, Waters, Garrett, and Israel—have already pleaded guilty for their roles in this crime; all await sentencing.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates federal resources with state/local law enforcement agencies alongside community partners aiming to reduce violent crime through locally tailored strategies.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Adam Amir from the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.
Defendant:
MARCUS PITTMAN (also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese”), age 30
Baltimore, Maryland
Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty:
DELONTA PITTMAN (also known as “D Lo”), age 31
Maryland
JEROME WATERS (also known as “the Engineer” or “Rome”), age 23
Baltimore
CALVIN ISRAEL, age 23
Baltimore
WILLIAM BARNETT, age 27
Baltimore
JALON LENNY GARRETT, age 20
Baltimore
E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 24-CR-413 (S-2) (KAM)
