Five Defendants Charged With Murder In Aid Of Racketeering And Other Crimes

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of superseding federal indictments charging RICHARD DRAYTON, a/k/a “Rad,” FRANKIE REYES, a/k/a “Biscuit,” ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Fetti,” TEVIN MABLE, a/k/a “Tot,” and JORGE IRIZARRY, a/k/a “Gito,” with gang-related crimes, including the March 13, 2015, murder of Johnathan Martinez, 18, in the Bronx, New York.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said:  “As alleged, the defendants were members of a violent gang who killed a young man from their neighborhood in a pointless, gang-related dispute.  We thank HSI and the NYPD for their outstanding work investigating this terrible murder.  We will continue our efforts with our law enforcement partners to prevent such senseless acts of violence.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “As alleged, the individuals charged are members of the Crips gang who gunned down an 18-year-old man in the Bronx to bolster their street credibility.  For this alleged violent crime, if convicted, they could face life sentences that would put an end to their racketeering and murderous ways.  HSI remains committed to working alongside NYPD’s Bronx Violent Crime Squad.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “The ability of investigators to bring about justice for this young man and provide a sense of closure to his loved ones is paramount.  The identification and arrest of these defendants was a team effort that would not have been possible without the close partnership that exists between the NYPD and our law-enforcement partners.  I thank and commend the NYPD investigators, the Southern District of New York, and Homeland Security Investigations for their relentless work in this case.”

According to the Indictment[1]: 

DRAYTON, REYES, RODRIGUEZ, MABLE, and IRIZARRY were members of the “Wild Card” set of the Crips gang.  The defendants sold drugs and used guns to further the aims of the Wild Cards.  On March 13, 2015, the defendants took part in the shooting murder of Johnathan Martinez in order to maintain and increase their reputation in the Wild Cards.

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IRIZARRY, 25, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested on March 2, 2019, near Ocala, Florida.  He was presented in federal court in the Middle District of Florida earlier today, and will be transported to the Southern District of New York to face charges.  MABLE, 26, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested on February 28, 2019, near Kinston, North Carolina.  He was presented in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina, and will also be transported to the Southern District of New York to face charges.  DRAYTON, 43, of the Bronx, New York, was arrested in the Bronx on Friday, February 22, 2019, and presented in this District before United States Magistrate Judge Ona Wang the same day.  REYES, 24, and RODRIGUEZ, 27, both of the Bronx, New York, were already in federal custody on other charges.  This case is assigned to United States District Judge Loretta A. Preska.

Charts containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Bronx Violent Crime Squad and HSI’s Violent Gang Unit.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organize Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Hagan Scotten, Gina Castellano, and Adam Hobson are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty.