Moeleek Harrell, also known as "Moe Money," was sentenced on Apr. 30 to 60 years in prison by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan for his role as the leader of the Bully Gang, a violent street gang based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The sentencing took place in federal court in Brooklyn and follows Harrell's conviction on multiple charges including racketeering, murder conspiracies, assaults, firearms offenses, drug trafficking conspiracies, and money laundering.
Harrell was one of 53 defendants charged and convicted in connection with the Eastern District of New York’s case against the Bully Gang. According to prosecutors, he directed numerous violent acts and oversaw significant drug trafficking operations both within New York City jails and across state lines into Maine.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. said: “Moeleek Harrell learned today that there is a heavy price to pay for leading a gang responsible for extensive criminal conduct, and his sentence should serve as a warning to those underlings who foolishly obeyed the defendant’s orders. They too will learn that following Harrell’s footsteps will lead a path straight to federal prison for a very long time.” Nocella also said: “His sentence ensures that our neighborhoods will remain protected from Harrell’s criminal conduct and demonstrates our Office’s commitment to prosecuting the leaders of violent criminal organizations.”
ATF Special Agent Bryan DiGirolamo said: “This case exposed a ruthless criminal organization responsible for murder conspiracies, brazen violence in public, and large-scale drug and weapons trafficking that stretched from New York to Maine... This 60 year sentence ensures that a dangerous individual who directed countless acts of violence will never again threaten our communities.” NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added: “The Bully Gang carried out a series of brutal crimes that spread violence through Brooklyn and beyond... I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the ATF for their partnership in bringing Harrell to justice.” DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata stated: “There is no outcome that can repair the deep and destructive impact of this gang in New York City and Maine... But today’s decades-long sentence for the gang’s leader... demonstrate[s] that New York City has zero tolerance for these crimes.”
The U.S. Attorney's Office supports community outreach initiatives alongside victim assistance efforts according to its official website. It maintains offices both in Brooklyn and Central Islip per its website while handling prosecutions related to federal crimes as well as representing civil matters within its jurisdiction as reported by its official site. Breon Peace serves as United States Attorney leading this office as noted online. The district covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County according to official information, operating as the designated federal prosecutor's office for these areas.
The government prosecution team included Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas J. Moscow; Lindsey R. Oken; Joy Lurinsky; Victor Zapana; former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew Rolle; Michael J. Castiglione; Lead Legal Administrative Specialist Samantha Ward; Paralegal Specialist Kavya Kannan.
