Final member of Brooklyn “Bully Gang” pleads guilty, marking the 53rd conviction in a large federal investigation.
A recent federal indictment that unraveled a significant drug trafficking network associated with Brooklyn’s notorious “Bully Gang” culminated in the guilty plea of Romeo Gonzalez, marking the final conviction in a series of 53 indictments against gang members. This legal development underscores a comprehensive crackdown on violent criminal organizations engaged in illicit drug operations across state lines.
Gonzalez, 27, was apprehended after evading law enforcement for nearly five years and was the last identified member of the gang connected to the multi-faceted indictment. He was arrested on June 5, 2024, during an undercover operation in the Bronx, where he allegedly attempted to sell crack cocaine. This event triggered his inclusion in a wider investigation that has been ongoing since at least 2020.
According to federal prosecutors, the Bully Gang’s operations were expansive, involving the trafficking of heroin and cocaine from New York and New Jersey to various locations in Maine. The gang notably utilized stash houses and recruited individuals battling substance addiction, primarily sex workers, to facilitate their operations. Court filings indicate that members of the gang exercised control through violence and manipulation, maintaining dominance over those who participated in their illegal activities.
On June 25, 2020, authorities raided one of the stash houses in Swanville, Maine, where Gonzalez was purportedly acting as a “sitter.” Law enforcement officials seized over 90 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 39 grams of a heroin-fentanyl mixture, detailed drug ledgers, and various paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution operations. Gonzalez offered inconsistent accounts of his presence in Maine, complicating his defense when confronted by federal agents.
He has now taken responsibility for engaging in illegal drug sales, indicating a level of awareness regarding the criminal nature of his activities. Gonzalez faces a potential prison sentence of five to six years under federal sentencing guidelines, with a maximum allowable sentence reaching up to 20 years.
The gang’s drug operations were overseen by Bermon Clarke, another convicted member who managed the trafficking routes and stash locations. Clarke’s extensive criminal activities, including arson and threats against associates, characterizes the violent nature of the organization. He recently received a 35-year prison sentence following a plea agreement.
The comprehensive investigation and subsequent convictions have dismantled a significant portion of the Bully Gang’s leadership. Four gang leaders were convicted in federal court following a lengthy trial in which jurors deliberated for 12 days, resulting in various sentences ranging from 15 to 55 years.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella articulated that these prosecutions signify a pivotal victory against a violent gang that facilitated extensive drug trafficking and associated crimes across New York and Maine, thereby eradicating a critical threat to public safety. As the legal proceedings conclude for these individuals, it remains evident that the efforts of law enforcement have substantially diminished the operational capabilities of the Bully Gang, marking a necessary step in the fight against organized crime in urban America.
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