An indictment was returned on December 11, 2025, charging Valmir Krasniqi and Afrim Kupa with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The charges stem from allegations that the two men attempted to bribe a juror serving in a criminal trial in the Eastern District of New York.
According to the indictment, in mid-November 2025, Krasniqi and Kupa offered up to $100,000 to a juror—identified as Juror-1—in exchange for a not guilty vote at the conclusion of United States v. Goran Gogic (22-CR-493). Both defendants were arrested on November 17, 2025, and have been detained pending trial.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr. and FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia announced the indictment.
“The indictment sends a clear message to the public that jury tampering and other efforts to undermine and corrupt the criminal justice system will not be tolerated,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “As alleged, these defendants obstructed a federal criminal trial in Brooklyn by attempting to bribe a juror. Our Office acted swiftly and vigorously to prosecute those involved in efforts to obstruct justice.”
Nocella also expressed appreciation for Homeland Security Investigations' work on the case involving Goran Gogic.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia commented: “Valmir Krasniqi and Afrim Kupa allegedly conspired to provide a significant cash bribe to potentially alter a juror’s vote related to a separate impending federal criminal trial. These defendants’ alleged attempt sought to influence a core principle of our criminal justice system and deprive the defendant his right to a fair trial. The FBI will never permit any individual to tip the scales in any proceedings and undermine our country’s democratic practices.”
The trial against Goran Gogic was scheduled before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack starting November 17, 2025. Prosecutors allege that between May 2018 and July 2019, Gogic participated in distributing large quantities of cocaine via commercial cargo ships coordinated through Colombia, Europe, and the United States. Law enforcement seized nearly 20 metric tons of cocaine from three shipments during this period. If convicted on all counts under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, Gogic faces up to life imprisonment.
Jury selection for Gogic’s case occurred on November 3 and November 5, with Juror-1 chosen as part of that process. Between November 13–17, prosecutors say Krasniqi and Kupa worked with an unnamed coconspirator (CC-1) attempting multiple times to contact Juror-1 through intermediaries with offers of payment for voting not guilty at trial.
On November 13, Krasniqi arranged for Kupa and CC-1 to meet in Staten Island where they discussed offering money for a favorable verdict; by November 15 CC-1 told Juror-1 about an offer up to $100,000 cash if he or she voted not guilty at trial.
Krasniqi hosted another meeting at his Staten Island home on November 16 where plans were further discussed among himself, Kupa, and CC‑1 regarding paying off Juror‑1.
Upon their arrests on November 17 at their respective homes in Staten Island:
– Kupa had documents listing Juror‑1’s name along with personal details.
– Krasniqi possessed—and had previously sent—a digital photograph of Juror‑1 as part of their alleged scheme.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily J. Dean from the Organized Crime and Gangs Section with support from Paralegal Specialists Erin Payne and Jack Schneider.
The charges are currently allegations; both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
