Federal Charges Announced Against Inmates for Violent Crimes Committed in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Today in Brooklyn, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced charges in five cases addressing violence at New York City’s federal pretrial detention facility, the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC-Brooklyn), located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.  These include charges against inmates for the murder of Uriel Whyte on June 7, 2024, the murder of Edwin Cordero on July 17, 2024, an attempted murder on April 27, 2024 and two violent assaults on August 24 and 27, 2024.  The defendants, all of whom were previously ordered detained at MDC-Brooklyn on other charges, will be arraigned in the coming days.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Lisa O. Monaco, United States Deputy Attorney General and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.

“Violence will not be tolerated in our federal jails.” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “As alleged, in June and July of this year, two men detained at MDC-Brooklyn—Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero—were murdered by fellow inmates using makeshift weapons.  Others at MDC-Brooklyn have been viciously assaulted by inmates, as alleged in the three other cases announced today.  As the only federal pretrial facility in New York City, MDC-Brooklyn houses pretrial inmates accused of some of the most serious crimes in our region.  No matter the reason for their detention, my Office will work tirelessly to vindicate the rights of victims who suffer violence within MDC-Brooklyn and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who choose to commit such heinous acts.  Let these charges serve as a warning to those who would engage in criminal conduct behind bars, and anyone else who facilitates those crimes: your conduct will be exposed, and you will be held accountable.”

Mr. Peace thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons for their assistance with the investigations.

“Today’s charges demonstrate the Justice Department’s commitment to rooting out violence and criminal behavior at federal detention facilities—a critical component of our work to improve conditions across the Federal Bureau of Prisons,” stated Deputy Attorney General Monaco.  “Violence and contraband in our prisons are unacceptable, and the Department will hold accountable those who threaten the safety of anyone in our custody.”

“Several inmates of Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center allegedly orchestrated a series of distinct violent assaults, including the murders of fellow inmates, Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero. While this federal jail houses dangerous pretrial inmates, order and safety must remain paramount. Awaiting potential criminal charges is not a warranted justification to subject a detained individual to unnecessary attacks. May today’s indictments reflect the FBI’s determination to apprehend violent criminals, regardless of where the incidents may occur,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.

United States v. Andrew Simpson and Devone Thomas, 24-CR-360 (EK)

The defendants Andrew Simpson and Devone Thomas, who were previously detained at MDC-Brooklyn on racketeering and robbery charges, respectively, have been indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the June 7, 2024 murder of inmate Uriel Whyte.

On the morning of June 7, 2024, following a verbal dispute between Simpson and Whyte, cellmates Simpson and Thomas armed themselves with makeshift weapons and proceeded to engage in a series of two-on-one attacks against Whyte.  The escalating violent attacks, which took place over a span of approximately 15 minutes, were committed against Whyte inside Simpson and Thomas’s shared cell, which served to hide their conduct from guards and surveillance cameras. The attacks culminated with Whyte suffering a severe stab wound to his neck, which severed his carotid artery. While Whyte was able to exit the cell and seek medical aid, he succumbed to his wounds shortly thereafter despite the efforts of onsite medical personnel and responding paramedics.

Simpson and Thomas are charged with murder in a federal detention facility, assault in a federal detention facility, obstruction of justice and possession of contraband in prison for their roles in fatally stabbing Whyte at MDC-Brooklyn.

If convicted, Simpson and Thomas face mandatory sentences of life in prison.

The government’s case against Simpson and Thomas is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs and General Crimes Sections.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Maffei, Sophia Suarez and Elizabeth D’Antonio are in charge of the prosecution.

United States v. Jamaul Aziz, James Bazemore and Alberto Santiago, 24-CR-380 (NCM)   

The defendants Jamaul Aziz, also known as “bugz,” James Bazemore, also known as “TJ” and “RS,” and Alberto Santiago, also known as “Kom” and “dotcom,” have been indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the July 17, 2024 murder of Edwin Cordero, a fellow inmate at MDC-Brooklyn. Aziz and Santiago were both previously detained at MDC-Brooklyn for various serious gun and drug-trafficking crimes; Bazemore was detained for racketeering conspiracy, murder in-aid-of racketeering, use of a firearm resulting in death and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  All three have admitted their guilt or been found guilty in their underlying cases.     

In the afternoon of July 17, 2024—following an earlier altercation between Cordero and Santiago—Santiago, Aziz and Bazemore met with each other intermittently over approximately half an hour.  Cordero then reengaged with Santiago—both of them armed with makeshift weapons—when shortly after Aziz and Bazemore, also armed, joined in.  Aziz, Bazemore and Santiago cornered Cordero while swinging and stabbing at him. After Cordero was able to escape, Bazemore continued to attack him, which allowed Santiago to approach Cordero from behind and stab him in the center of his chest, perforating various parts of his heart.  Cordero then staggered forward, and Bazemore stabbed him in the back.  Aziz and Bazemore next cornered the victim again next to a table and repeatedly stabbed, struck and kicked him, including after he fell to the ground and tried to shield himself with the table.  Staff members quickly responded to the commotion and delivered emergency medical care but were unable to save the victim.   

The indictment charges Aziz, Bazemore and Santiago with premeditated murder within a federal detention facility, conspiracy to commit murder within a federal detention facility, assault resulting in serious bodily injury within a federal detention facility and possession of one or more objects designed to be used as weapons within a prison.

If convicted, the defendants face mandatory sentences of life in prison.

The government’s case against Aziz, Bazemore and Santiago is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs and General Crimes Sections.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Irisa Chen and Elizabeth D’Antonio are in charge of the prosecution.

United States v. Luis Rivas, 24-CR-390 (OEM)

The defendant Luis Rivas has been indicted by a grand jury with attempted murder in a federal detention facility, assault in a federal detention facility and possession of contraband in prison, for his role in the April 27, 2024 assault of another inmate at MDC-Brooklyn.  At the time of the attack, Rivas was detained at MDC-Brooklyn after being convicted of racketeering and assault in-aid-of-racketeering charges related to his membership in the gang La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13).  On the morning of April 27, 2024, Rivas and two other MS-13 members brutally attacked another inmate in their housing unit.  Prior to the attack, the victim was sitting peacefully, relaxing with his feet up.  Rivas then approached the victim, took a makeshift weapon from his waistband, and stabbed the victim with it.  Two other MS-13 members then came to Rivas’ aid and assisted him in punching and stabbing the victim repeatedly.  After the assault, the victim was taken to MDC- Brooklyn’s medical unit and then to a hospital to treat the approximately 44 stab wounds to his back, chest, abdomen, right arm and legs.

If convicted, Rivas faces up to 45 years in prison.

The government’s case against Rivas is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Sherman is in charge of the prosecution. 

United States v. Bruce Silva and Hassan Elliott, 24-MJ-556 (MMH)

The defendants Bruce Silva and Hassan Elliott have been charged by complaint with assault in a federal detention facility for their roles in the August 27, 2024 assault of another inmate at MDC-Brooklyn.  At the time of the attack, Silva was detained at MDC-Brooklyn in connection with pending charges including racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, firearms charges, attempted murder and assault in-aid-of racketeering in connection with his participation in multiple shootings in the Bronx, and other crimes related to his membership in “Dub City,” a street gang based in the Bronx.  Elliott was detained at MDC-Brooklyn at the time of the attack in connection with 29 pending charges related to his membership in “1700 Scattergood,” a violent drug trafficking organization operating in Northeast Philadelphia, including the murder in-aid-of racketeering of a Philadelphia police sergeant (who was seeking to execute search and arrest warrants for Elliott at the time of his murder), racketeering conspiracy, three other murders in-aid-of racketeering, multiple charges related to multiple other shootings and related firearms and narcotics offenses.

On the morning of August 27, 2024, Silva and Elliott tried to attack another inmate in their housing unit.  They took makeshift weapons from their waistbands and tried to stab and slash their intended victim.  When a fourth inmate interceded, Silva stabbed the fourth inmate in the spine with a makeshift icepick, leaving the icepick protruding from the inmate’s back.  Silva and Elliott then continued to try to attack both the stabbing victim and their original intended victim.  After the assault, the stabbing victim was taken to MDC-Brooklyn’s medical unit and then to a hospital to remove the weapon from his spine and treat him.

If convicted, Silva and Elliott each face up to 10 years in prison.

The government’s case against Silva and Elliott is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Shami is in charge of the prosecution. 

United States v. Leury Mojica, 24-MJ-559 (MMH)

Defendant Leury Mojica was charged by complaint with assaulting a federal officer.  As alleged in the complaint, on August 24, 2024, Mojica punched a corrections officer in the face after the victim offered Mojica breakfast.  Mojica was originally detained at MDC-Brooklyn in connection with a Hobbs Act robbery charge, and also previously participated in a violent stabbing of another inmate, which conduct was taken into account in his May 2024 sentencing in the Southern District of New York.

If convicted, Mojica faces up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case against Mojica is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorney David Berman is in charge of the prosecution. 

The charges in all of the indictments and complaints are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Defendants:

ANDREW SIMPSON
Age:  26
Brooklyn, New York

DEVONE THOMAS
Age:  24
Queens, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-360 (EK)

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JAMAUL AZIZ
Age: 44
New York, New York

JAMES BAZEMORE
Age: 42
Bronx, New York

ALBERTO SANTIAGO
Age: 28
Queens, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-380 (NCM)   

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LUIS RIVAS
Age:  29
Jamaica, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-390 (OEM)   

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BRUCE SILVA 
Age:  28
Bronx, New York

HASSAN ELLIOTT 
Age:  26
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-MJ-556 (MMH)

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LEURY MOJICA
Age: 21
Bronx, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-MJ-559 (MMH)