Leader of Brooklyn-Based Ninedee Gang Convicted of Racketeering and the Murder of a Former Government Witness

A federal jury in Brooklyn today returned a guilty verdict against Maliek Miller, a leader of the Ninedee Gang, a violent criminal enterprise operating out of the Louis H. Pink Houses in East New York, on all counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in-aid-of racketeering, murder in-aid-of racketeering, unlawful use and possession of firearms, causing death through the use of firearms, being a felon in possession of ammunition and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.  The verdict followed a four-week trial before United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall.  When sentenced, Miller faces a mandatory term of life in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdict.

“Today’s verdict is momentous because it holds Miller accountable for orchestrating a cowardly plot to kill a woman who bravely stood up to his Ninedee Gang, and it upholds the rule of law for the residents of the Pink Houses who just want to go about their lives and raise their children without the plague of violence and danger inflicted on them by ruthless criminals like the defendant,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “The verdict ensures that Miller will spend the rest of his life in prison, which I hope provides some measure of solace to the family of Shatavia Walls.”

“The perceived need for revenge never justifies murder. In 2020, Maliek Miller ordered the heinous killing of Shatavia Walls - who testified against Miller's gang - to send a message to residents in the Louis H. Pink Houses not to cooperate with law enforcement. There is no place for such egregious violence in our city, especially when used in retaliation to incite fear. May today's conviction offer some closure to Shatavia Walls's family and serve as a deterrent to gangs who use violent tactics in furtherance of their criminal activity,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.

“Today’s guilty verdict is another step toward eradicating gang violence in New York City,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban.  “The NYPD will continue to partner with the FBI and everyone at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District to present solid cases for prosecution, to secure meaningful federal prison sentences, and to deliver justice for victims, their families, and our communities.”

As proven at trial, Ninedee Gang members are affiliated with the “5” and “6” Pink Houses apartment buildings and have engaged in ongoing gang-related violence within and outside of the New York City Housing Authority complex.  The Ninedee Gang’s main rivalry, dating back over a decade, is against the “7” and “8” buildings in the Pink Houses.  Ninedee Gang protects its turf through violence, makes money by selling drugs and committing fraud and seeks to silence anyone who they perceive to be working with law enforcement. 

The murder of former government witness, Shatavia Walls, was coordinated by Miller and other Ninedee Gang members as part of that ongoing gang rivalry.  Specifically, the victim was targeted by the Ninedee Gang because of her affiliation with the “7” and “8” buildings associated with the Makk Baller Brims gang and because she had previously testified at a federal criminal trial against a Ninedee associate in the Eastern District of New York.  Prior to her testimony, fliers had been posted around the Pink Houses stating, “Shatavia Been a Rat And She Still Ratting.”

On July 4, 2020, Ms. Walls and others were involved in a physical altercation with members of Ninedee, including Miller’s cousin, for lighting fireworks around young children.  Miller went to the scene of the altercation, called Ms. Walls a “snitch,” fought with Ms. Walls and fired a shot in the air.  Following the altercation, Miller agreed with other Ninedee Gang members to kill Ms. Walls, and set a plan to do so in motion. 

On July 7, 2020, Walls was spotted by a Ninedee Gang hit team, who chased her down a path at the Pink Houses.  She was shot numerous times by Ninedee Gang members Quintin Green and Joe Santana.  Ninedee Gang member Shakur Bey destroyed the clothing that Green and Santana wore during the shooting by throwing the items down an incinerator chute.  Ninedee Gang member Kevin Wint, who was not present at the murder, rented a hotel room at a Best Western Hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport to provide a place where the shooters could hide out overnight.  Ms. Walls died of her injuries ten days later. 

Green, Santana, and Bey have pleaded guilty to their roles in the murder and are currently awaiting sentencing.  Wint pleaded guilty in March 2023 and was later sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Emily J. Dean, Margaret Schierberl and Irisa Chen are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed and with the assistance of Intelligence Analyst Eungee Hwang and Intelligence Specialist Ashley Hinkson. 

The Defendant:

MALIEK MILLER
Age:  30
Brooklyn, New York

Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty:

SHAKUR BEY (also known as “Speedy)
Age:  27
Brooklyn, New York

QUINTIN GREEN (also known as “Wild Child”)
Age:  23
Brooklyn, New York

JOE SANTANA (also known as “Baby Joe”)
Age:  20
Brooklyn, New York

KEVIN WINT (also known as “Kev G”)
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)