Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Jesus Zapata, also known as “Jeezy” and “Hendrix,” was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his leadership role in the Own Every Dollar (OED) gang. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton commented on the outcome, stating, “This case reflects our efforts to dismantle violent gangs, with today’s sentence reinforcing that accountability reaches gang leaders, like Jesus Zapata, who directed and ordered violence that harmed New Yorkers and their quality of life.”
According to information presented in court and public filings, Zapata acted as the leader—referred to as “Duarte”—of OED, a subset of the Trinitarios gang operating primarily in Washington Heights. Prosecutors have secured convictions against 22 members of OED for crimes including five murders, over ten attempted murders, several robberies, and managing a large-scale drug trafficking operation involving fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine.
Zapata was held responsible for both committing and ordering acts of violence while incarcerated at Rikers Island. These included three slashings in 2021. He was also convicted for his involvement in narcotics trafficking.
With this sentencing, Zapata becomes the 21st defendant sentenced in this case and the 11th to receive a prison term of at least ten years.
In addition to his prison sentence, Zapata will serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration. He is 36 years old and from New York City.
U.S. Attorney Clayton acknowledged the work of several law enforcement agencies: “Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, the New York State Police, and the NYPD Task Force Officers assigned to this Office for their assistance in the investigation.”
The prosecution was managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner, Kevin Mead, Ashley C. Nicolas, and Alexandra Messiter from the Office’s Narcotics Unit.
