Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Federal authorities have charged Jalen Teague, also known as “Bizzle” and “Too Official,” and Cheleia Council Sanders, also known as “Mercedes,” with racketeering conspiracy. Teague faces an additional charge of murder in aid of racketeering for the August 16, 2023, death of a robbery victim in midtown Manhattan. Megan Sterngast, known as “Megan - E Village,” is also charged with conspiring to distribute Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), resulting in death. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, “As alleged, Jalen Teague directed a group of workers to locate, drug, and then rob men in New York City and across the country. These defendants displayed a startling indifference for New Yorkers, resulting in the death of an innocent man. We deeply appreciate our agency partners at DEA and NYPD for ensuring these charges and ending this deadly scheme.”
DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts stated: “The charges filed today against Jalen Teague for allegedly masterminding a scheme to target, rob, and poison unsuspecting victims, including one which resulted in death, reflect the devastating consequences when individuals use controlled substances as weapons. GHB is a powerful and dangerous illicit drug, and in this case its misuse proved fatal. These crimes represent a profound violation of trust and a complete disregard for human life. The DEA remains committed to protecting the public and working with our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is delivered for the victims and their families.”
Court documents allege that from November 2022 through June 2024, Teague led a criminal enterprise that provided female associates with GHB—a substance that can cause users to lose consciousness—who then sought out men displaying signs of wealth at bars or clubs across several U.S. cities including New York City. The women would accompany victims home or to hotel rooms where they secretly dosed them with GHB before stealing valuables such as luxury watches, wallets, credit cards, smartphones, gaming consoles, and identification documents.
Afterward, it is alleged that Teague would collect the stolen items from his associates and attempt to use stolen credit cards or devices before accounts could be frozen by their owners. Authorities believe more than 100 GHB-assisted robberies occurred during this period.
Several victims were hospitalized due to these incidents; on August 16, 2023, one victim died as a result.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim is encouraged to contact Victim & Witness Services at the United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York at 866-874-8900.
Jay Clayton praised the investigative work by both the DEA and NYPD and thanked the New York County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca R. Delfiner and Joseph H. Rosenberg from the Narcotics Unit.
The defendants face significant penalties if convicted: racketeering conspiracy carries up to life imprisonment; murder in aid of racketeering carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment or death; conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment with a maximum of life imprisonment.
Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
