Gangster sentenced to 30 years for killing Brooklyn teen, allowing younger brother to take the blame.

Martial H. Amilcar, a member of the Hyena Crips gang, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the 2019 murder of 15-year-old Samuel Joseph, a tragic case rooted in mistaken identity. The sentencing, which took place in Brooklyn Federal Court, followed Amilcar’s guilty plea to a federal racketeering charge earlier this year, during which he admitted to fatally shooting Joseph in an act of retaliation against rival gang members from the Haitian Loc gang.

The incident occurred on February 22, 2019, when Amilcar, 28, intended to target Joseph’s younger brother but mistakenly shot Joseph as he exited his home on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The teenager was simply stepping out to get food when the attack occurred. This egregious error not only took the life of an innocent youth but also led to a wrongful arrest of Joseph’s younger brother, Martial C. Amilcar, 27, who spent approximately nine months in Rikers Island before being released due to the misidentification.

For years following the incident, the elder Amilcar allegedly let his brother take the blame for the murder while he privately boasted about the act to elevate his standing within the gang. In a letter to Judge Ann Donnelly, prosecutors emphasized the cruel irony of Amilcar’s actions, stating that by allowing his brother to endure the repercussions of his crime, he compounded the suffering of the Joseph family.

Samuel Joseph’s sister, Ketia, described him as a vibrant young man who aspired to play basketball in the NBA. In a heartfelt statement to the court, she lamented the violence that ended her brother’s life, marking the day of his death as the beginning of her family’s enduring nightmare.

The city has since settled with Martial C. Amilcar for 0,000 in October 2023, compensating him for the wrongful imprisonment. However, his life has remained troubled, as he was arrested again in January 2023 on charges related to his affiliation with the Crips and involvement in criminal activities, including a botched murder conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella commented on the case, asserting that Amilcar’s actions not only cut short the life of a young boy but also underscored the severe consequences of gang violence. The plea deal additionally revealed Amilcar’s involvement in an attempted robbery of a pharmacy in Midwood, further highlighting the extent of criminal activities associated with gang affiliations. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the ripple effects of gang violence, not just on victims and their families but across entire communities.

As this tragic story unfolds, it echoes the urgent need for interventions to mitigate the impact of gang culture on urban environments, ensuring that innocent lives are safeguarded against the collateral damage of violent disputes.

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