Thirty-two alleged members of the 8 Trey Crips and its affiliate, the 9 Ways gang, have been named in a 140-count indictment for allegedly committing shootings, possessing guns, and using stolen cars during shootings, to eliminate rivals that included members of Folk Nation Gangster Disciples and ICG Babiiez.
“I’m confident that today’s successful takedown will have a positive impact on public safety across several Brooklyn communities as we enter the summer months," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
"The senseless gun violence, allegedly committed by these defendants, terrorized our neighbors for years and left more than a dozen people with serious injuries. It is distressing to know that some of the violence was allegedly fueled by a young man who used money he made from a successful music career to allegedly pay for and encourage acts of violence.”
Michael Williams, also known as Rapper Sheff G; and Rapper Tegan Chambers, also known as Sleepy Hallow, were also charged as co-conspirators.
It is alleged that Williams, who rented a large house in Short Hills, New Jersey during the conspiracy period, used the earnings from his music career to fuel gun violence in Brooklyn, by offering money and giving expensive jewelry to those who commit acts of violence. Williams’ involvement went beyond merely offering money to commit acts of violence. It is alleged that in one shooting incident, Williams coordinated a group of three shooters, drove those shooters to the crime scene, and then acted as the getaway driver.
The defendants were arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 140-count indictment in which they are variously charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree assault, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree gang assault, first-degree attempted gang assault, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, and related charges.
The District Attorney said the indictment is the result of a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division into shootings and gun possession incidents allegedly committed by members of the 8 Trey Crips and its affiliates, the 9 Ways gang, primarily in the 67th and 71st Precincts.
During the conspiracy period – from March 2019 to the present – the 8 Trey Crips and 9 Ways gangs allegedly possessed guns, committed shootings, and stole cars for use in the shootings. These crimes took place to further their goals of maintaining geographic control and dominance over their territories, enhancing the reputation of the 8 Trey Crips and 9 Ways gangs, and eliminating rival members of the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples and ICG Babiiez.
There were 27 incidents of violence and criminal activity, including 12 shootings with 13 victims, including one fatality. Three shooting victims were innocent bystanders.
Approximately 37 different firearms were used or possessed by the defendants and 19 firearms were recovered during the course of the investigation. It is alleged that many of the acts of violence were captured on surveillance videos. Furthermore, it is alleged that the defendants boasted about their criminal activities on social media and in text messages, discussing acts of violence and taking credit for shootings and an assault.
“For more than two years, NYPD investigators have been working closely with the Brooklyn District Attorney to do what they do better than anyone: keep the people and the communities we serve safe," New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said.
"The gang members indicted today may have thought they could traffic in violence, intimidation, and fear with impunity – but they were wrong. Together with our law enforcement partners, the NYPD is tackling violent crime and violent criminals head-on, and this case is just the latest example of our shared commitment to the public safety of all New Yorkers.”
