Leader of Gorilla Stone Mafia convicted in Brooklyn federal court for two murders, drug distribution

September 25, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, more informally known as Brooklyn Federal Court, in Downtown Brooklyn. Photo: Rob Abruzzese

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The leader of the Gorilla Stone Mafia, who referred to himself as “the reaper,” was convicted of two Staten Island murders and drug trafficking on Tuesday and will now spend life behind bars.

A federal jury in Brooklyn found John Pena, 32, guilty of multiple charges, including racketeering, murder and drug distribution. Pena, also known by aliases such as “Tragedy” and “Don Tragg,” led the Gorilla Stone Mafia, a subgroup of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation.

John Pena, leader of the Gorilla Stone Mafia, has been convicted of two murders and drug trafficking in Brooklyn federal court. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York

The conviction stems from the 2021 murders of Mark Bajandas and Francisco Gonzalez, along with Pena’s involvement in trafficking marijuana and crack cocaine. Pena, now facing a mandatory life sentence, orchestrated the killings as part of his leadership role in the gang, which operated out of the Stapleton Houses on Staten Island.

The verdict followed a seven-day trial before U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly.

“As the evidence proved, Pena was consumed by seeking revenge against rivals and maintaining his leadership position in the Gorilla Stone Mafia gang by any means necessary,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. He added that the conviction ensures Pena will spend the rest of his life behind bars for his violent acts.

Pena shot Bajandas, a former Gorilla Stone Mafia associate, 12 times on March 10, 2021, after attending a memorial for a fallen gang member. On June 22, 2021, he killed Gonzalez, shooting him three times while he slept. Writings recovered from Pena’s jail cell described the murders in disturbing detail, including references to feeling like “the reaper.”

Law enforcement officials praised the cooperation between federal and local authorities. “Gang activity… instills fear in the daily lives of New Yorkers,” said NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon.

The case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national effort to reduce violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies.