Earlier today, Abel Mora, also known as “Moreno,” was sentenced to 135 months in prison by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis in federal court in Brooklyn. Mora, identified as a member of the Trinitarios street gang, had previously pleaded guilty to charges including Hobbs Act robbery and discharging a firearm during a robbery and shooting incident in East New York on August 13, 2023. Following his guilty plea and while being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, Mora attempted to smuggle contraband—such as a weapon, drugs, and other items—into the facility. On June 24, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession of contraband in prison.
The sentencing was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.
“Mora not only shot and robbed a man in Brooklyn, he subsequently attempted to smuggle drugs, weapons and other contraband into prison,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office has zero tolerance for inmates that make jails less safe and will continue to aggressively prosecute gang members who victimize the public by engaging in gun violence and put innocents at risk as they go about their day.”
Nocella also thanked the FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force along with NYPD’s 75th and 101st Precincts for their contributions to the investigation.
“Abel Mora, a Trinitarios gang member, boldly attempted to smuggle drugs and weapons into a federal detention center despite previous convictions related to a gunpoint robbery and public shootout. His sustained propensity to criminality displays a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of others and the law. May today’s Operation Coast to Coast sentencing emphasize the FBI’s determination to hold accountable any gang member who jeopardizes the safety of our communities and our prisons,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.
“Abel Mora showed exactly why he is a danger to society – first by recklessly shooting and robbing New Yorkers in plain view, and then by trying to smuggle weapons and other contraband into a federal detention center,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “Today’s sentencing is a strong reminder that we will stop at nothing to identify and dismantle street gangs like the Trinitarios that are placing our communities at risk. I thank the NYPD investigators, all our law enforcement partners, and the prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work getting this dangerous criminal off our streets.”
Court documents state that on August 13, 2023, Mora committed two shootings: one in Queens around 1 p.m., where he fired at a vehicle during an altercation witnessed on surveillance cameras—prompting residents including children to flee—and another later that night outside 3441 Fulton Street in Brooklyn. In Brooklyn at approximately 9 p.m., Mora shot an individual before robbing him of his backpack outside a busy corner store while customers were present inside and outside. Surveillance footage documented both incidents.
Mora was arrested on September 26, 2023 at his residence where law enforcement recovered the firearm used in both shootings hidden inside his bedroom radiator; it was loaded with thirteen rounds.
While detained at MDC after pleading guilty, Mora worked with co-defendants attempting to pull up contraband—including items such as a scalpel, phone charging equipment, lighters, cigarettes, and illegal narcotics—using ropes connected from inside the facility. This activity was recorded by internal video surveillance.
The prosecution was managed by Assistant United States Attorneys Emily J. Dean, Dana Rehnquist and Russell Noble from both Organized Crime & Gangs Section as well as General Crimes Section.
Mora is listed as age 24 from Far Rockaway, New York.
