Three Men Charged With 1989 Murder

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Raymond Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging LUIS MERCED, WILLIAM SKINNER, and DORIAN BROOKS, a/k/a “Kool-Aid,” with murder in furtherance of drug trafficking in connection with the murder of Efren Cardenas on February 10, 1989 in Brooklyn, New York.  MERCED and SKINNER were arrested yesterday evening and early this morning and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.  BROOKS is in state custody on other charges and will be presented in federal court at a later date.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “For over 30 years, the family of Efren Cardenas has been waiting for justice.  Today, thanks to the extraordinary partnership of the NYPD, the DEA, and the Special Agents of our office, the defendants are charged in federal court for this decades-old murder.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said:  “Today’s charges demonstrate the NYPD’s vigilance in bringing justice to victims and their families. The NYPD, our colleagues at the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York will continue to vigorously pursue and bring to justice individuals responsible for violent criminal activity."

DEA Special Agent in Charge Raymond Donovan said:  “Today’s arrests demonstrate that time does not diminish a crime, especially murder.  Thirty years have passed, but law enforcement’s dogged pursuits have brought justice to the victim while sending a message that law enforcement won’t stop until perpetrators are brought to justice.  I commend the men and women of the DEA, NYPD, and U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, on their tenacity and diligent efforts throughout this investigation.” 

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court^[1]:

On February 10, 1989, MERCED, SKINNER, and BROOKS killed Efren Cardenas, 30.  MERCED, SKINNER, and BROOKS committed the murder in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.

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MERCED, 48, and BROOKS, 50, each from Brooklyn, New York, and SKINNER, 49, of Amityville, New York, are each charged with one count of murder in furtherance of drug trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of death or life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the NYPD’s Cold Case Squad, and the DEA.  Mr. Berman added that the investigation is continuing.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew K. Chan and Adam S. Hobson are in charge of the prosecution.

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