Ashanti Washington, also known as “Shani Boni,” pled guilty on July 23 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky to committing perjury at the March 2025 federal criminal trial of United States v. Kevin Perez, according to an announcement by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels.
“As she has now admitted, Ashanti Washington swore an oath to tell the truth while testifying in federal court, but then lied to smear a murder victim and help a gang leader try to escape accountability for his violent crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Truth under oath is central to our system of justice, and this Office is committed to protecting it.”
According to public filings and statements made in court, the trial began on March 10, 2025, with Kevin Perez facing charges including racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and possession and use of a firearm during these offenses. On March 20, 2025, Perez was found guilty on counts related to racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder but not guilty on the murder count; he was sentenced principally to thirty years in prison by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.
Washington testified as a defense witness on March 17 and 18 during Perez’s trial and lied under oath about facts relevant to the murder charges against Perez. At trial, Perez claimed self-defense in the killing; Washington falsely testified that the victim had threatened Perez with violence—a claim now admitted as untrue by Washington—which affected evidentiary rulings during proceedings.
Washington pleaded guilty to one count of perjury at a federal criminal trial; this charge carries a maximum term of five years in prison as prescribed by Congress. The actual sentence will be determined by the judge.
Clayton praised the work done by Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department regarding this case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Herman, Patrick R. Moroney, and Ni Qian from the Violent Organizations and Crime Unit.