Four Members and Associates of Staten Island “Paybacc Crips” Charged with Armed Kidnapping and Robbery

A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Allan Floyd and Edward Gotay, alleged members of the Paybacc Crips street gang, and alleged gang associates Barin Brown and Jason Crowder with an armed kidnapping and Hobbs Act robbery involving three victims, including a 16-month-old child.  Crowder was arrested this morning, and is scheduled for his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom.  Brown, Floyd and Gotay were previously arrested, and have been detained pending trial. 

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. Devito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges and arrests.  

“As alleged in the complaint, the defendants brazenly committed a gunpoint kidnapping and robbery in broad daylight, with complete disregard for the well-being of a child caught in the middle of the violent crime,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office and our partners in the ATF and the NYPD Joint Robbery Task Force will continue to target criminal gangs and their members who threaten the safety of our communities.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his thanks to the United States Marshals Service for their assistance in the case.

“As alleged, the defendants committed brazen acts of violence that victimized several individuals including a 16-month-old child,” stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Devito.  “ATF along with its partners remain singularly focused on eliminating the threat to public safety that violent gangs and armed violent offenders pose for their communities.  I would like to thank the members of the ATF/ NYPD Joint Robbery Task Force who work tirelessly each day to bring the most violent individuals to justice.  I would also like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting this case.”

“Identifying and dismantling gangs and crews, and preventing the violence they cause, is paramount to the NYPD’s mission to ensure that New Yorkers in every neighborhood are not only safe, but feel safe too,” said NYPD Commissioner O’Neill.  “I thank and commend the NYPD investigators, as well as our partners at the ATF and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, for their efforts in bringing these individuals to justice.”

According to court documents, Brown, Crowder, Floyd and Gotay surprised their victims who believed they were meeting Brown for a marijuana sale at Slaight Street and Nicholson Avenue on Staten Island.  After arriving at the location, the defendants ordered Victim-1 and his fiancée (Victim-2) out of their car at gunpoint, and demanded money and jewelry.  Victim-2 then explained that a child was in the back seat of the car.  Floyd ordered the victims, “Get in the back seat we are not doing this here.”  While Floyd continued to point his gun at the Victim-1’s head, Gotay entered the car and drove to the couple’s shared residence.   Once at the residence, Crowder, Floyd and Gotay donned latex gloves and robbed the victims of money, marijuana, jewelry and collector Michael Jordan sneakers. 

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of the kidnapping charges, Brown, Crowder, Floyd and Gotay face up to life in prison, and a mandatory minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment for the kidnapping of a minor.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Phil Selden is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

BARIN BROWN (also known as “Scruff”)
Age: 28
Staten Island, New York

JASON CROWDER (also known as “Jason Ortiz”)
Age: 29
Staten Island, New York

ALLAN FLOYD (also known as “Rugar Richmond Ace”)
Age: 28
Staten Island, New York

EDWARD GOTAY (also known as “Younggod Edde”)
Age: 28
Staten Island, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-MJ-181 (SLT); 19-MJ-198 (JO)