Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Two alleged gang members have been charged with witness tampering and retaliation after making threats against a testifying witness and the witness’s child during a federal murder trial in New York. Tyshawn Palmer, also known as “Ty Boogie” or “pte_tm,” and Hassan Brown, also known as “Twin” or “everythingsleezy,” were arrested following the unsealing of a superseding indictment related to their actions during the recent racketeering and murder trial of Lamar Williams.
According to authorities, Palmer and Brown are accused of using Instagram to threaten a witness who testified about an August 2013 murder linked to Williams, described as a leader of the Mac Ballers gang in the Bronx. The jury convicted Williams on all counts at the conclusion of the trial.
During and after the testimony, Palmer and Brown allegedly posted or reposted messages that included the witness’s Instagram account name, photographs, and posts labeling the witness as a “rat” and a “snitch.” They also posted photographs of family members, including one depicting the witness with their young child. In one instance, they threatened to kill the child at his school.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated: “Threatening a witness and that witness’s family is an attack on our judicial system, the rule of law, and our society. As alleged, Tyshawn Palmer and Hassan Brown retaliated against a testifying witness in a federal murder trial. In our federal courts, witness intimidation will not work—rather, it will be met with swift justice.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch commented: “The alleged actions taken by the defendants to intimidate witnesses and their family members with violence are a deliberate attack on the integrity of our judicial system. We will not tolerate any attempt to influence the course of justice, and I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership on this case."
U.S. Marshal Ricky J. Patel added: “As alleged, defendants Palmer and Brown attempted to undermine the rule of law and erode our justice system by witness tampering and retaliation. Their actions have been met with the profound reaction they face today after being charged and arrested by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the United States Marshals Service, and the NYPD. The U.S. Marshals have been responsible for the protection of the federal judicial process since 1789, a responsibility taken very seriously to this day. Ensuring the judicial process operates independently and free from harm or intimidation is paramount for law and order. I commend the collective work of the Deputy U.S. Marshals who investigated and arrested these individuals along with our law enforcement partners in this case.”
Palmer (32) from Hackensack, New Jersey, and Brown (34) from Bronx, New York each face one count of witness tampering and one count of witness retaliation; both charges carry maximum sentences of life imprisonment if convicted.
Officials noted that while these statutory maximum penalties are established by Congress for informational purposes only, actual sentencing will be determined by Judge Loretta A. Preska.
The investigation involved cooperation between multiple agencies including NYPD officers, U.S. Marshals Service personnel, special agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for SDNY, as well as analysts from regional drug trafficking task forces.
The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison, Katherine Wheelock, and Patrick R. Moroney from SDNY's Violent Organizations and Crime Unit.
All allegations remain unproven unless established in court proceedings.
