Eight suspected members of violent migrant gang that plagued Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s New York City district have been taken down in a major bust.
They stand accused of carrying out brutal assaults and stabbings in a takeover of Roosevelt Avenue in Queens.
The two-mile strip, which is part of the state’s 14th congressional district, is frequently dotted with scantily clad women on the litter strewn sidewalks. The area is often filled with street vendors flogging all types of goods.
Prosecutors say that seven of the eight are in the US illegally and that all are associates of the 18th Street Gang, a transnational group formed by Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that those involved had ‘unleashed terror’ on communities.
Gang members are responsible for assaults, extortion, fraud and drug trafficking, according to prosecutors.
They were named as Felix Bonilla Ramos, 36, Uriel Lopez, 30, Refugio Martinez, 32, Margarito Ortega, 38, Orlando Ramirez, 24, German Rodriguez, 34, David Vasquez Corona, 29, and Marco Vidal Mendez, 36.
They face charges of racketeering conspiracy, including narcotics and firearms trafficking, production and sale of fraudulent identification documents, and extortion.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is seen here speaking outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that those involved, seen here, had ‘unleashed terror’ on communities
The two-mile strip is frequently dotted with scantily-clad women on the sidewalks, some of whom are seen here
The indictment against the group came after local leaders called for the FBI to step in and clean up the area of sex workers and drug dealers.
Several community leaders wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel urging him to put agents on the ground to tackle the issues in April.
They said that the infamous Tren de Aragua was wiped out of the area leading to the 18th Street Gang taking over the turf.
Authorities say the 18th Street Gang are divided into ‘cliques’, with the eight arrested part of the ’54 Tiny Locos’ clique.
Officials say the group took over Roosevelt Avenue and pointed to three assaults in the area that they claim to have linked to some members of the group.
In December 2021 gang members attacked a man outside of a bar, smashing a glass bottle of tequila across his face leaving him lacerated skin and nerve damage.
Then in January 2022 five gang members attacked two victims outside a bar. One of the victims was stabbed while gang members held them in place.
The other victim was attacked with wooden planks, again leaving the individual with lacerations that required stitches.
Last year, another individual, who they believed to be a gang rival, was beat with a bike lock and a metal chair. They required medical care and stitches to their face.
A gun with bullets was recovered by authorities as part of the crackdown
They are facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, including narcotics and firearms trafficking, production and sale of fraudulent identification documents, a fake US passport allegedly made by the group is seen here
The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a DOJ initiative aimed at eradicating transnational criminal organizations, combating violent crime, and restoring the rule of law.
In a statement Katz said: ‘Every resident deserves to feel safe walking down the street, without having to worry about gang violence.
‘My office will continue to combat violent criminal enterprises and assist partner investigations to dismantle gangs as they try to establish themselves in our neighborhoods.’
An indictment, unsealed last month, came after local leaders blew the whistle on the extent of the damage being done to the area.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella added: ‘The 18th Street Gang exploited a Queens neighborhood as a hub for violence and illicit activity.
‘Today’s arrests show the community that my office and our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to put these violent criminals behind bars.’
Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, announced that crime in the area had dropped by 28 percent since launching a crackdown in the area.
Adams had launched a multi-agency enforcement dubbed ‘Operation Restore Roosevelt’ to tackle sex work and crime in the area.
He said: ‘This administration wasn’t going to tolerate an atmosphere of anything goes. We listened to the community and took action — launching ‘Operation Restore Roosevelt’ as one of our signature ‘Community Link’ initiatives.
‘Eight months later the results are clear: crime is down more than 28 percent, with double-digit drops in burglaries, assaults, robberies, and more.
‘That’s not an accident. It’s the result of our clear and continuing focus on public safety and quality of life.
‘Whether it’s sweeping out illegal brothels, shutting down ghost vehicles, or taking down violent gangs, we are using every tool at our disposal to improve life for New Yorkers.’
