MORE THAN A DOZEN REPUTED ‘BLOODS ‘ GANG MEMBERS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND DISTRIBUTE NARCOTICS IN AND AROUND THE EDENWALD HOUSES
Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the arrests and indictment of twenty one alleged members of the “Bloods” in connection with a pattern of gang related violence in and around the Edenwald Houses.
Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett ordered that the defendants, who were arrested today on warrants pursuant to the indictment, be remanded pending formal arraignment in State Supreme Court Part 60 on Monday, May 4, 2009.
The 54 count indictment charges the defendants with Conspiracy in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degrees, one count of Murder in the 2nd degree, eight counts of Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, eight counts of Assault in the 1st degree, eight counts of Assault in the 2nd degree, eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, four counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th degree, three counts of Reckless Endangerment in the 1st degree, and two counts of Menacing in the 2nd degree.
District Attorney Johnson said today’s arrests were the result of an eight month investigation into a series of shootings which began in the Summer of 2008, causing serious injury to eight people, and culminating with the fatal shooting of an individual in December 2008. Three of the shooting victims were innocent bystanders. The six other targets allegedly were members of rival gangs.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD Bronx Homicide Task Force and the 47th Precinct Detective Squad.
Four of the defendants, Manuel Soltren, 25, a/k/a “Nori”, Joshua Soltren, 23, a/k/a “Bleek”, Askia Hinton, 25, a/k/a “Fizzy Woo”, and Sean Henry, 21, a/k/a “Wheezy”, a/k/a “Cooley”, are believed to be the leadership of the Bloods set “BFA” (Brothers For Another). They and eight others were charged with Conspiracy in the 1st degree among other offenses. Conspiracy in the 1st degree is a Class A felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison.
According to the indictment, the defendants, “acting in concert” between December 1, 2005 and April 22, 2009, conspired to commit murder, distribute narcotics, possess and sell crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana, and possess illegal firearms including semi-automatic weapons. It is alleged that the Soltren brothers, Hinton and Henry would recruit gang members as young as 13 or 14 and put them to work selling drugs, stashing firearms and carrying out shootings.
One of the numerous overt acts cited in the conspiracy is the shooting death of Aaron Wescott, on December 15, 2008. Wescott was gunned down in the vicinity of 4000 Laconia Avenue in a public area at the Edenwald Houses known as the “horseshoe” where alleged gang members congregated and sold narcotics. Jeavon Williams, 19, a/k/a “S.R.” has been charged with Murder in the 2nd degree and faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years to life imprisonment if convicted.
The first of the shootings in and around the Edenwald Houses occurred on June 14, 2008 outside 1138 East 229th Street near the “horseshoe” when two bystanders, a 21-year-old woman and 19-year-old man, were struck by bullets that were intended for a rival gang member. Charles Hatchett, 19, a/k/a/ “Smalls” has been charged with Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree and Assault in the 1st degree in connection with that incident. A month later, on July 15, 2008 there was another shooting which resulted in charges of Attempted Murder and Assault in the 1st degree being filed against Ronnie Guity, 21, a/k/a “Bishop”.
There was another shooting two weeks later on July 28, 2008 followed by two more incidents on August 2, 2008. Three people sustained serious injuries. Christopher Moore, 17, a/k/a “Bris” has been charged with Attempted Murder and Assault in the 1st degree in connection with those shootings. On September 9, 2008 two more victims were shot and seriously wounded leading to charges of Attempted Murder and Assault in the 1st degree being filed against Raheem Lewis, 15, a/k/a “RaRa”.
Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree and Assault in the 1st degree are Class B felony offenses. Conviction on either charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment on each count.
On multiple occasions during the course of the investigation varying quantities of narcotics were recovered from sales to undercover detectives. Detectives also confiscated a Luger 9MM semi-automatic handgun, one 45. caliber revolver, one 25. caliber semi-automatic handgun and one 357 Magnum Revolver.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christiana Stover and Assistant District Attorney Terry Gensler of the Gangs/ Major Case Bureau under the supervision of Edward Talty, Bureau Chief.
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