26 Alleged Trinitario Gang Members Indicted For Stabbings On Rikers Island

By Síle Moloney

BRONX DA Darcel Clark (r) shakes a guest’s hand at a 52nd Precinct Community Council meeting.
Photo by David Greene

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Jun. 25, 2020 that 26 alleged Trinitario gang members, who are current or former Rikers Island inmates, have been indicted for multiple stabbings, and other acts of violence in jail, following a joint investigation by her office, Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Department of Correction’s Correction Intelligence Bureau, with assistance from the New York City Department of Investigation.

Clark said, “During their time in Rikers Island, these defendants allegedly conspired and engaged in numerous slashings and stabbings that caused grievous wounds. They allegedly carried out these attacks in order to preserve and protect the power of the Trinitario gang, meting out punishment to their own members as well as rivals.” She added, “We will not tolerate such brutality against incarcerated individuals and will hold people accountable even after they have left jail. We will continue to attack the pipeline of violence from Rikers Island to the streets.”

According to the investigation, dubbed “Operation Green Fury” for the gang’s color, the defendants allegedly carried out a total of 14 violent acts in the jail between Sep. 2015 and Jul. 2019. Half of those incidents were against rival gang members, and half against fellow Trinitarios who allegedly broke gang rules and were not in good standing with other gang members.

Out of the 14 incidents, 12 were slashings and stabbings. Some victims suffered deep lacerations, and one lost a vast amount of blood. The defendants allegedly conspired through various forms of communication, including phone calls and letters, and by using coded language.

Peter C. Fitzhugh of Homeland Security said, “Transnational criminal organizations will operate without boundaries, as in this case with alleged connections to brutal violence, slashings and stabbings while incarcerated. HSI New York will continue to pursue and dismantle transnational gangs like the Trinitarios, wherever they operate”.

According to the indictment, on Sep. 15, 2017, Jovier de la Cruz, 26, Pedro Valera, 28, and Rafael Perez, 26, all alleged Trinitarios, entered the cell of Joseph Feliciano, an alleged Trinitario in bad standing, and slashed him in the face with a sharp object. On Nov. 16, 2017, Jesus Matos, 22, Kevin Cabrera, 26, Darlin Feliz, 32, and Victor Capellan, 27, allegedly slashed Shawn Stevens, an alleged member of a rival gang, twice in the face and once in the arm.

According to the investigation, Jesus Zapata, 30, was the alleged leader of the Trinitario gang on Rikers Island from 2017 to 2018, and Hector Hernandez, 25, allegedly took command between 2018 to 2019. As alleged in the indictment, they ordered an attack against Steven Ayala, an alleged Trinitario gang member, and on Apr. 10, 2018, Valera slashed Ayala in the face and back. About a month later, Hernandez allegedly slashed Michael Franco, an alleged member of a rival gang, in the face.

According to the indictment, on Oct. 8, 2018, Francisco Nunez, 22, and Paul Corporan, 21, slashed alleged rival gang members Tyreek Covington in the arm, back and neck, and Deontay Boyd in the face. On Jul. 28, 2019, Ernie Garcia, 22, Diogenes Hernandez, 19, Jerry Polanco, 21, Ariel Tavarez, 22, John Polanco, 21, and Jose Paniagua, 19, allegedly slashed Julian Diaz in the arm. On Dec. 16, 2018, Jeremy Bello, 29, and Jonathan Davila, 21, allegedly slashed Carlos Capellan, an alleged Trinitario who was in bad standing, in the face.

DOC Commissioner Cynthia Brann said, “We will not tolerate violence in City jails, and are doing everything possible to bring those responsible to justice. The safety and security of the people who live and work in our facilities is our top priority. Our Correction Intelligence Bureau works tirelessly to increase safety in city jails, and we are proud of their hard work in this case, which involved collaboration with fellow law enforcement partners citywide”.

Brann added, “Gang activity drives a disproportionate amount of violence on city streets and amongst those in custody, and because of the indictments announced today both communities are safer”.

The 69-count indictment includes five counts of attempted gang assault in the first degree, 14 counts of attempted assault in the first degree, 31 counts of second-degree assault, two counts of attempted assault in the second degree, fourth and fifth-degree conspiracy, 16 counts of third-degree assault, and attempted assault in the third degree.

Twelve defendants, six of them who are inmates in Rikers Island and six who had previously been discharged from custody, were arraigned this week before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. They are due back in court on Jul. 9, 2020. Four defendants have not been apprehended as of yet and the remaining 10 defendants will be presented from State and Federal custody for arraignment.

CIB Acting Deputy Commissioner Matthew Clark said,“We are determined to increase safety in city jails and the Correction Intelligence Bureau works closely with our law enforcement partners every day with the shared goal of reducing violence among people in custody”.

Meanwhile, DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said, “Violence perpetuated by gang members inside of our City’s jails cannot be tolerated and must be investigated to the fullest extent to protect inmates and correction officers”.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. The defendants are listed as follows:

Jesus Zapata, AKA Jeezy, AKA Jeezy Hendrix, 30, Manhattan
Hector Hernandez, 25, NYS DOCCS
Jesus Matos AKA Savage, 22, NYS DOCCS
Pedro Valero, AKA Cuzzo, AKA, Montro, AKA Monstro, 28, NYC DOC
Francisco Nunez, AKA Buenon, AKA Buenom, AKA Buenon Pretty, AKA Sesenta, 22, NYC DOC Custody
Jeremy Bello, AKA Pistola, AKA Pitola, AKA Coro, 29, NYS DOCCS
Brayan Lloret, AKA Brayon Lloret, AKA E.T., 22, Manhattan
Daniel Hernandez, AKA Twitch, AKA Rico, 19, NYS DOCCS
Jonathan Davila, AKA Jonathan Davilla, AKA J.O., AKA J.O. Baller, 21, NYC DOC
Victor Capellan, AKA Tecato, 27, NYC DOC
Paul Corporan, AKA Grande, AKA El Cata, 21, NYC DOC
Marcos Espinal, AKA Ito, 23, NYS DOCCS
Darlin Feliz, AKA D-Block, 32, NYS DOCCS
Leonardo DelaCruz, AKA Peetie Po, 21, Bronx
Antonio Mora, AKA Chucky, 27, Federal Custody
Braian Chu, AKA Briann Chu, AKA Braian Berrea, AKA Brian Berrea, AKA Chino, 21, Bronx
Dennis Miller, AKA Menace, 26, Queens
Jovier DelaCruz, 26, NYS DOCCS
Kelvin Cabrera, AKA Kevin Cabrera, 26, Bronx
Rafael Perez, AKA Haivita, 26, NYS DOCCS
Ariel Tavarez, 22, Queens
Ernie Garcia, 22, Manhattan
Diogenes Hernandez, AKA J.J., 19, Bronx
Jerry Polanco, 21, Brooklyn
Jose Panigua, AKA Bad Bunny, 19, NYC DOC
John Polanco, 21, Manhattan

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