The #FBI plays a key role in combating violent crime across our country. Read this week’s round-up of violent crime stories
New Yor – Rashad Alkhader – Homeland News – From News – FBI
June 9, 2023
The FBI plays a key role in combating violent crime across our country—and in some cases, abroad—through our investigative work targeting gangs and criminal organizations, violent crimes against children, Indian Country crime, human trafficking and involuntary servitude, bank robbery, and jewelry and gem theft.
FBI investigators usually work in partnership with other law enforcement groups, often establishing task forces to concentrate resources and efforts. This round-up is only a partial list of recent FBI violent crime stories—for a full list, read more FBI Violent Crime news and press releases.
FBI Pittsburgh Operation Targets Erie-Based Drug Ring
Federal prosecutors announced charges against 58 alleged members of a neighborhood street gang that distributed marijuana, prescription hydrocodone, cocaine, cocaine base, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, and fentanyl pills within the gang’s geographic territory in western Pennsylvania.
- Defendants engaged in organized criminal activity as part of their membership and association with the 4-Nation gang.
- “This gang brought violence and despair to our neighborhoods and pedaled drugs onto the streets, exploiting the young and vulnerable,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “This investigation was a collaborative effort led by the FBI’s EAGLE Safe Streets Task Force and the community will see the impact immediately. I commend the work done by the investigative team and restate the commitment of the FBI and our partners to aggressively pursue those that bring harm to our communities.”
- Full press release
Bronx Man Convicted of 2018 Murder During Which He Shot the Victim’s 5-Year-Old Son
Joshua Rodriguez was found guilty at trial of the Oct. 23, 2018, murder of Jaquan Millien in connection with a drug-trafficking crime.
- Rodriguez shot and killed Millien in the Butler Houses in the Bronx, New York. During the shooting, Rodriguez shot Millien’s 5-year-old son, who was with his father at the time. Millien’s son survived.
- “Jaquan Millien was bringing his 5-year-old son to an after-school program—something parents do in New York City every day—when he was gunned down in his building’s stairwell,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams. “His son not only was shot, but he had to see his father die before his eyes.”
- Williams continued: “Today, a unanimous jury returned a verdict within hours that found Rodriguez shot and killed Millien. While the verdict cannot bring Millien back, we hope today’s verdict brings some measure of justice for Millien’s family and his community…”
- Full press release
Five Defendants Arrested for Daytime Armed Robberies of Manhattan Jewelry Stores
Five defendants were charged with the armed robberies of two Manhattan jewelry stores in which approximately $2 million of jewelry was stolen at gunpoint.
- “…Dressed as construction workers, the defendants allegedly sought to blend into the busy streets around them before pointing guns at the jewelry stores’ employees and carrying out about $2 million in stolen diamonds and other valuable pieces,” said Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
- “…Violent robberies, especially those with firearms, will not be tolerated by the FBI and our partners in law enforcement,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll. “The arrests today should serve as a warning to anyone willing to engage in armed robberies—you will face the consequences.”
- Full press release
Marysville, Washington Man Who Ran Fentanyl Pill Mill From His Garage Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Jose Eduardo Garnica pleaded guilty in March 2023 to conspiracy to manufacture and deliver controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Garnica had more than two dozen guns, and had mixed dangerous animal tranquilizers with fentanyl pills, increasing overdose risk.
- “This case weaves together all the strands that make fentanyl trafficking such a dangerous business,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Nick Brown. “Mr. Garnica was manufacturing fentanyl pills with deadly powders that could make each pill lethal. His activities contaminated the home he rented, and he had 27 guns—many of them high-powered assault weapons—adding to the danger. This is a significant prison sentence, but appropriate due to the risk he posed to our community.”
- Full press release
Sex Offender Gets 40 Years for Sharing Child Pornography in Two States
Timothy Lee Tyler pleaded guilty Sept. 12, 2022, to distributing child pornography in 2020 and to possessing child pornography in both 2019 and 2020.
- Before imposing the sentence, the court heard Tyler had previously committed hands-on offenses against children he knew through friends and loved ones and that he had encouraged other users on the Kik messaging app to create child pornography for his enjoyment.
- “For years, this person preyed upon children,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Alamdar S. Hamdani. “Online, he encouraged other predators to abuse their own children for his sick gratification. In real life, he terrorized and abused children of people close to him. This sentence will help ensure he isn’t allowed access to children ever again.”
- Full press release
