Earlier today, federal court in Brooklyn unsealed an indictment charging eight individuals associated with the 18th Street gang, a known transnational criminal organization, with multiple crimes. Six of the defendants face charges of racketeering conspiracy involving narcotics and firearms trafficking, production and sale of fraudulent identification documents, and extortion. Seven are also charged with assaults related to racketeering activities. One defendant is accused of being an alien in possession of a firearm.
Seven suspects were apprehended in New York City and are set for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl M. Pollak this afternoon. Another suspect already detained on different charges will be arraigned tomorrow.
The arrests and charges were announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office; Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the NYPD; and Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney.
“This indictment represents a significant step in our ongoing effort to dismantle violent gang networks in our communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. He emphasized that the 18th Street gang used a Queens neighborhood as a hub for violence and illicit activity.
Nocella acknowledged assistance from various agencies including the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, FBI New York Metro Safe Streets Task Force, Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General – New York Office, U.S. Secret Service, and Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“These violent members and associates…allegedly relied on violence—including assault…to exert and maintain control over a busy commercial corridor along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights,” stated FBI Assistant Director Raia.
Queens District Attorney Katz added that “the defendants…are accused of unleashing terror onto Queens communities through brutal assaults…in furtherance of the 18th Street gang’s agenda.”
According to court documents, the 18th Street gang operates across the U.S. and Central America through various cliques including “54 Tiny Locos” which controls parts of Jackson Heights. The gang finances its operations via drug-dealing and other crimes like trafficking fraudulent identification documents.
The indictment includes allegations related to three specific assaults occurring between December 2021 and June 2024 where victims suffered serious injuries due to attacks allegedly orchestrated by gang members.
The charges remain allegations until proven beyond reasonable doubt in court as part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative against transnational criminal organizations—and an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation targeting high-level criminal threats using a multi-agency approach.
Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren A. Bowman, Andy Palacio, and Kamil R. Ammari lead the prosecution under E.D.N.Y Docket No. 25-CR-196.
