Leader and Two Members of Brooklyn-Based Real Ryte Gang Each Sentenced to More Than a Decade in Prison for Violent Racketeering Offenses

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Semaj Smith, also known as “Bam Bam” and “Real Ryte Sport,” a member of the Brooklyn-based street gang Real Ryte, was sentenced by United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez to 132 months in prison for racketeering conspiracy and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Last month, co-defendants Dajahn McBean, also known as “Jeezy Mula,” who is the leader of Real Ryte, and Real Ryte member Mark Waiters, also known as “Telly,” were sentenced to terms of imprisonment of 150 months and 149 months, respectively.  All three defendants pleaded guilty in September and October 2023 to charges in a superseding indictment stemming from Real Ryte’s gang war with the Breadgang crew of the 5-9 Brims, a subset of the Bloods. 

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentences.

“The defendants have dedicated themselves to committing violent crimes on behalf of their gang without any regard for endangering the public,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “We will not tolerate our communities being turned into scenes out of video games with gang warfare, reckless shootings and car chases.  Today’s sentence shows that individuals, like these defendants, who don’t get that message will be punished with significant time in prison.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department and to the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations New York for their outstanding work and assistance in this investigation.

According to court filings and facts presented during the defendants’ guilty plea proceedings, Real Ryte was a violent street gang that operated in, among other places, Brooklyn, New York.  Members of Real Ryte have committed acts of violence, including acts involving murder and assault, and engaged in bank fraud, wire fraud and other crimes.  Between at least 2015 and 2018, members of Real Ryte committed serious crimes to further the interests of the gang, including earning money for the gang’s members through illicit means, and committing acts of violence to enhance the gang’s position with respect to rival criminal organizations. 

During the charged period, Real Ryte was engaged in a violent conflict with members of a rival crew known as the “Breadgang,” whose members also operated in Brooklyn.  The gang war led to a series of shootings between Real Ryte and Breadgang, including the murder of Sean Peart, a Real Ryte member, a crime for which Marvin Pippins, a Breadgang member, was convicted following a trial in this District.  In response to Peart’s death, the defendants and other members of Real Ryte retaliated against Pippins and other Breadgang members.  On January 3, 2017, the defendants learned that a Breadgang member could be found in lower Manhattan, and, at McBean’s direction, Smith, Waiters and a co-conspirator traveled to the location to shoot and kill him.  However, during a chase with vehicles speeding through the streets of Manhattan in the wrong direction, the defendants mistakenly shot an innocent person they mistook for their intended target, seriously injuring the victim before fleeing.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Joy Lurinsky and Rebecca Schuman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Cleon Thomas and Abiodun Ojo. 

The Defendants:

DAJAHN MCBEAN (also known as “Jeezy Mula”)
Age:  28
Brooklyn, New York

MARK WAITERS (also known as “Telly”)
Age:  26
Brooklyn, New York

SEMAJ SMITH (also known as “Bam Bam” and “Real Ryte Sport”)
Age:  30
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-260 (S-1) (HG)