The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, has announced the sentencing of Shpendim Haxhaj, also known as “White Mike,” marking the conclusion of a significant case involving the Young Bronx Money Getters (YBMG) gang. This street gang operated in various regions including the Bronx, Long Island, Upstate New York, and Connecticut. Haxhaj received a 35-year prison sentence for his involvement in crimes associated with YBMG, notably a conspiracy to commit murder for hire which led to the killing of Isael Lagares on August 16, 2019.
Haxhaj had previously pleaded guilty to several charges including conspiracy to commit murder for hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering. His plea was entered on August 7, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla who imposed the sentence.
“For more than a decade, the YBMG gang terrorized communities in the Bronx, Long Island, Upstate New York, and Connecticut with drugs, guns, and senseless violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Among YBMG’s many victims was Isael Lagares who was gunned down after Haxhaj and other gang members paid a hitman to end his life.”
The Superseding Indictment and public court filings revealed that from at least 2006 until about 2021, YBMG engaged in narcotics trafficking and violence as part of their criminal enterprise centered in the Bronx. The gang’s activities included selling heroin, cocaine, marijuana; promoting their affiliation on social media; possessing firearms; and engaging in shootings.
On August 16, 2019, Haxhaj along with Boris Beltran hired an individual to kill a rival gang member which resulted in Lagares’ death. Other members like Yeltsin Beltran were involved in similar conspiracies related to narcotics distribution across New York.
Mr. Clayton commended efforts by federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA alongside local law enforcement like NYPD for their role in dismantling this violent organization.
