Two members of the Bronx-based 5zzly crew, Jaquell Blackwell and Abdoul Azika, have pleaded guilty to carjacking charges at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Blackwell entered his plea on August 20, 2025, while Azika had previously pleaded guilty on July 9, 2025. Both cases were heard before United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross. The defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella, Jr., and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia announced the pleas.
“Blackwell and Azika, wielding weapons and threats of grievous harm, forced their victims to give up their vehicles and instilled terror in their communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “They will now be held accountable for their crimes, and our Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to eradicate gangs responsible for violent crime.”
Nocella also thanked the Nassau County Police Department for its assistance with the case.
“Jaquell Blackwell and Abdoul Azika committed a series of violent carjackings by brandishing weapons to forcibly steal cars from their victims,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “These gang members repeatedly terrorized our communities by threatening violence to ensure fearful compliance. The FBI continues to facilitate successful disruptions via Operation Summer Heat by protecting our citizens from violent offenders.”
According to court documents and statements made during plea proceedings, both defendants were members of the “5zzly” crew associated with the Blood Hounds Brims gang based in the Bronx. They participated in armed carjackings and robberies across New York City and Long Island.
Both men admitted guilt regarding an incident on March 19, 2023, when they approached a parked vehicle in Garden City during early morning hours. They opened the vehicle doors, threatened the driver with a knife and gun, ordered him out of the car using forceful language, then stole his vehicle after he complied.
Blackwell further admitted involvement in another armed carjacking that took place in Elmont on June 7, 2023. Azika confessed to two additional armed carjackings occurring in South Farmingdale and Massapequa on June 5, 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca M. Schuman and Kamil R. Ammari from the General Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The defendants are identified as follows:
Abdoul Azika
Age: 21
Bronx, New York
Jaquell Blackwell
Age: 20
Bronx, New York
E.D.N.Y Docket Nos.: 24-CR-483; 25-CR-194 (ARR)
