Jaquell Blackwell was sentenced on Apr. 21 to 63 months in prison for three armed carjackings, while Abdoul Azika received an 87-month sentence on Dec. 18, 2025, for his role in a carjacking with Blackwell and two additional armed carjackings. Both sentencings took place at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn before United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address violent gang activity affecting communities across New York City and Long Island. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts, according to the official website.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., said, “For more than a year, the defendants and their co-conspirators engaged in a pattern of armed carjackings targeting hardworking New Yorkers. Their sentencings demonstrate that our Office will not tolerate gang violence and will bring these criminals to justice.” Nocella also thanked the Nassau County Police Department and Garden City Police Department for their work on the case.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., said, “The defendants repeatedly terrorized and harmed unsuspecting New Yorkers during a series of armed carjackings. The FBI's Safe Streets Task Force continues to protect our communities from senseless gang violence.”
Azika and Blackwell were identified as members of the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang’s “5zzly” crew responsible for multiple robberies throughout New York City and Long Island. Both admitted guilt in connection with several incidents involving weapons where victims were threatened or assaulted before having their vehicles stolen.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office maintains offices in Brooklyn and Central Islip per its official website, handles federal crime prosecutions as well as civil matters representation for the district according to its official website, operates as the designated federal prosecutor's office according to its official website, covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County as indicated on its official website; Breon Peace leads this office as United States Attorney according to its official website.
