Twenty-Seven Charged in Connection with Narcotics Trafficking at Multiple New York City Housing Authority Developments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 6, 2018

 

Twenty-Seven Charged in Connection with Narcotics Trafficking at
Multiple New York City Housing Authority Developments

Six-Month Investigation in Brownsville Followed Complaints Regarding
Drug Activity and Violence in Vicinity of Seth Low Houses

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, today announced that 27 defendants have been variously charged in connection with selling powdered and crack cocaine, heroin and oxycodone pills following an investigation into a major drug trafficking operation at housing developments in Brownsville.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This narcotics takedown underscores the commitment of the NYPD and my office to improving the quality of life and the safety of the hardworking residents of public housing. We are determined to keep the scourge of drug dealing, and the violence that often accompanies it, out of our communities.”

Commissioner O’Neill said, “The NYPD’s efforts to rid New York City of illegal narcotics and the violence associated with drug trafficking will not end. I commend everyone involved in this case, particularly our investigators and the skilled staff of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, who – in close partnership – continue to focus intently on anyone engaging in such behavior.”

Twenty-one of the defendants are named in a 504-count indictment in which they are variously charged with first-, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, first-, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy. The six other defendants are variously charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and related charges in four additional indictments (see defendant addendum). Most of the defendants were expected to be arraigned this afternoon before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun.

Through the use of physical and electronic surveillance, it was determined that Hassan Nixon was allegedly a major supplier of cocaine to mid-level dealers operating within various housing developments in Brownsville, including the Seth Low Houses, Glenmore Plaza and the Van Dyke Houses. Hassan Nixon allegedly used alleged Wave Gang member Karon Farrell as his narcotics lieutenant, and together, Nixon and Farrell allegedly controlled the flow of cocaine from elsewhere in New York City into and throughout those housing developments.

Hassan Nixon allegedly supplied his cocaine network with narcotics that he allegedly purchased from multiple sources, including Ronald Langhorne and Louis Peebles. Langhorne and Peebles allegedly purchased cocaine by the kilogram, which they broke down and resold, in both powdered and rock form, in 50 and 100 gram increments to various individuals such as Hassan Nixon. Langhorne allegedly utilized a number of individuals, including Peebles, to assist him in cutting the cocaine, cooking it into crack cocaine, and packaging it for resale.

Hassan Nixon and Ronald Langhorne are each charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Paul Molinaro, with the assistance of Police Officer Michael Lassen and Detective Anibal Torres, of the Brooklyn North Gang Squad, under the supervision of Lieutenant John Costin, and the overall supervision of Captain Craig Edelman.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Owen Sucoff, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jonathan R. Sennett, VCE Deputy Chief, Assistant District Attorney Alfred C. DeIngeniis, First Deputy Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Mark Feldman, Senior Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations and Crime Strategies.

Defendant Addendum:

  1. Hassan Nixon, aka Ha, 39, Brooklyn, NY.
  2. Jalil Nixon, aka Hood, 28, Brooklyn, NY.
  3. Karon Farrell, aka KK, 27, Brooklyn, NY.
  4. Benjamin Clark, aka KB, 47, Brooklyn, NY.
  5. Ronald Langhorne, aka Riz, 43, Brooklyn, NY.
  6. Louis Peebles, aka Fresh, 35, Brooklyn, NY.
  7. Samuel Hayslett, 40, Brooklyn, NY.
  8. Hasson Davis, 39, Queens, NY.
  9. Massiah House, 37, Brooklyn, NY.
  10. Rashawn Bethelmie aka Slump, 30, Brooklyn, NY.
  11. Brian Hightower, aka Freaky, 59, Brooklyn, NY.
  12. Antoine Nurse, aka Tootie, 49, Brooklyn, NY.
  13. Kimani Everett, 27, Staten Island, NY.
  14. Norbert Layne, aka Nunu, 47, Brooklyn, NY.
  15. Divante New, 25, Brooklyn, NY.
  16. Tyrique Kelly, 31, Brooklyn, NY.
  17. Jamel Lillard, aka, Bam, 25, Brooklyn, NY.
  18. Rayshon Davis, 31, Queens, NY.
  19. Luis Ortiz, 39, Brooklyn, NY.
  20. Ony Diaz, 26, Brooklyn, NY.
  21. Christopher Lowrie, 25, Brooklyn, NY.
  22. Emmanuel Sastre, 44, Brooklyn, NY.
  23. Rosa Ramos, 28, Brooklyn, NY.
  24. David Gonzalez, 28, Brooklyn, NY.
  25. Rishon Bliss, 38, Brooklyn, NY.
  26. Kristopher Harris, 30, Brooklyn, NY.
  27. Brandon Thomas, 28, Brooklyn, NY.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.