More than a dozen members of a violent East Harlem street gang were indicted Wednesday during a massive takedown during a joint investigation by police and prosecutors.
The “Chico Gang,” which authorities said had terrorized two housing project projects since 2018, was hit with wide-ranging conspiracy indictments charging 13 members with shooting a dozen people — including four innocent bystanders, among them a 12-year-old boy.
The alleged gangbangers were charged with conspiracy, attempted murder, attempted assault and weapons possession, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said during a handout .
Three of the reputed gang members were arraigned in Manhattan court on Wednesday, while the others were already in custody.
“The arrests of those gang members were specifically targeted to get rid of the drivers of this gang violence from our streets,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said during a statement.
“The Chico gang has carried on senseless rivalries targeting other gangs with innocent members of the community — including children — being caught within the crossfire,” Shea said. “It has got to stop.”
According to the indictments, the gang operated out of Wagner Houses housing project complex, with the violence aimed largely at a rival gang at nearby Jefferson Houses.
Prosecutors said the gang communicated via text and online, using Snapchat and Instagram, and plotting out crimes in Facebook group chats and instant messages Somebody goin get hurt Saturday,” one alleged member said during a March 10, 2019 chat.
I’m giving a gun to anyone of my (n-word)s who wanna drill no doubt about it me saying no to somebody could have (n-word)s in peril ,” one gang member wrote during a Jan. 17, 2020 text message.
“Ima Get Ya Something so ya won’t need to ask nobody don’t even show (n-word)s or discuss it gangsta,” the text allegedly said. “You personally know da vibes tho I’m (n-word)s on drill timing I’m promoting all antics.”
On July 19 this year, accused gangster Melvin Williams allegedly posted a photograph on Snapchat with the caption reading, “A lot of (n-word)s hitting the deck i feel my time next cus I can’t run but best believe ima toss back .”
Ten days later, Williams posted a video on Snapchat showing him holding a silver handgun to a different person’s head, the indictment said.
Williams, 20, was among the three suspects arraigned Wednesday and charged with conspiracy, attempted murder, attempted assault, assault and weapons possession.
Also arraigned Wednesday on an equivalent charges were Dakotah Campbell, 18, and Jaseir Mitchell, 20, consistent with the indictments.
Also named within the indictments are Jabari Albright, Devon Branton, Sahii Butler, Jasan Crockett, Jayden Golden, Kamren Hudson, Joseph Lee, Jamel Williams, Mikell Pettaford and Isaac Rivera, prosecutors said All are in custody apart from Rivera, who has not been arrested.
“This indictment is one a part of our work to interrupt the cycle of violence gripping East Harlem, as teens are recruited to require the place of older gang members and continue their bloody rivalries,” Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. said during a statement.
