MORE THAN 40 HUDSON VALLEY GANG MEMBERS SENTENCED IN MAJOR FEDERAL RACKETEERING, NARCOTICS, FIREARMS, AND VIOLENCE PROSECUTION

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — A years-long federal investigation targeting two violent Hudson Valley street gangs has concluded with the sentencing of more than 40 defendants for racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, violent crimes, robberies, fraud, and attempted murder. The final defendant, Rodney George, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison, bringing one of the Southern District of New York’s largest coordinated gang prosecutions to a close.

The investigation dismantled two criminal organizations operating throughout Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Orange County, Dutchess County, and surrounding communities: the Young Gunnaz (YG) and the Double Nine Grim Reapers (Grimz).

Federal prosecutors said 26 defendants were convicted as members, associates, or co-conspirators of the Young Gunnaz, including gang leader Kashad Sampson. An additional 12 defendants were convicted as members or associates of the Double Nine Grim Reapers, including leaders Jeremy Williams, Randy Jones, and James White.

The cases were prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, with sentencing conducted by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas in United States v. Kashad Sampson, et al. and U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern in United States v. Jeremy Williams, et al.

According to federal prosecutors, the investigation revealed years of organized criminal activity involving shootings, armed robberies, large-scale narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, fraud schemes, and racketeering throughout the Hudson Valley.

Investigators determined the Double Nine Grim Reapers had operated since at least 2018 as a structured criminal enterprise with hundreds of members across New York, including within Orange County, Dutchess County, and the New York State prison system. Prosecutors stated the gang maintained a strict internal hierarchy, enforced organizational rules through violence, and celebrated acts involving firearms. Senior members reportedly carried organizational “serial numbers” incorporating references to 9-millimeter firearms as part of the gang’s ranking system.

Authorities said members of the Grimz were responsible for multiple shootings and armed robberies, including the November 3, 2020 attempted murder of a rival gang member in Newburgh. During that attack, the victim was shot multiple times while seated inside a vehicle and survived only after receiving emergency treatment at two hospitals. Federal prosecutors also said the organization trafficked crack cocaine, heroin, and synthetic cannabinoids, including K2 distributed within the New York State prison system.

The Young Gunnaz, operating since at least 2019, were convicted of participating in an extensive criminal enterprise involving narcotics trafficking, armed robberies, shootings, firearms offenses, wire fraud, and racketeering activity. Much of the organization operated through the PlayBoyGzz subset led by Kashad Sampson and other senior members.

According to court proceedings, members of YG were responsible for approximately 13 shootings, three armed robberies, and a narcotics trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and other illegal drugs throughout the region.

Federal prosecutors also established that several YG members participated in a large-scale unemployment insurance fraud scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conspiracy generated more than $1 million in fraudulent proceeds. Authorities said one victim suffered severe financial hardship after disability benefits were disrupted as a result of the fraud.

The investigation resulted in convictions for numerous federal offenses, including:

• Racketeering conspiracy (RICO)
• Narcotics trafficking conspiracy
• Firearms offenses involving crimes of violence and drug trafficking
• Armed robbery
• Assault in aid of racketeering
• Attempted murder in aid of racketeering
• Aggravated identity theft
• Hobbs Act robbery
• Wire fraud

Several defendants received lengthy federal prison sentences ranging from 54 months to 360 months, reflecting the seriousness of the offenses and each defendant’s role within the criminal organizations.

Among the most significant sentences imposed were:

• Thomas Rodriguez — 360 months for racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon, narcotics conspiracy, firearms offenses, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
• Jeremy Williams — 300 months for racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses.
• James White — 300 months for racketeering conspiracy and narcotics conspiracy.
• Octavious Griffin — 234 months for racketeering conspiracy and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
• Messiah Jackson — 210 months for racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms offenses.
• Markell Williams — 204 months for racketeering conspiracy and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
• Kashad Sampson — 200 months for racketeering conspiracy and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

The final sentencing involved Rodney George, who received 108 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release after being convicted of narcotics conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Federal officials credited the success of the investigation to the combined efforts of the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the City of Newburgh Police Department, New York State Police, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the New York City Police Department, the Nassau County Police Department, the FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, the New York City Department of Correction Correction Intelligence Bureau, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

The prosecutions were handled by the White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

COMPLETE LIST OF DEFENDANTS AND FEDERAL SENTENCES

Young Gunnaz (YG)

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