Eight members and associates of the transnational 18th Street Gang charged with racketeering crimes in Queens

June 23, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

The seal of the United States is displayed on the facade of federal court in Brooklyn, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in New York. AP Photo/John Minchillo, File

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In federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment, recently unsealed, charged eight members and associates of the violent transnational criminal organization the 18th Street Gang with serious crimes.

Six defendants are charged with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate acts involving narcotics and firearms trafficking, production and sale of fraudulent identification documents, and extortion. Seven defendants are also charged with assaults in aid of racketeering. One defendant is charged with being an alien in possession of a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and ammunition.

Seven defendants were taken into custody in New York City and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl M. Pollak. Another defendant, currently in custody on separate criminal charges, is expected to be arraigned tomorrow.

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr., FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia, NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the arrests and charges.

“This indictment represents a significant step in our ongoing effort to dismantle violent gang networks in our communities,” stated Nocella. “The 18th Street Gang exploited a Queens neighborhood as a hub for violence and illicit activity. [These] arrests show the community that my office and our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to put these violent criminals behind bars.”

Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the FBI New York Metro Safe Streets Task Force, the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the United States Secret Service and the Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Field Office for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for their invaluable assistance with the case.

“These violent members and associates of the 18th Street Gang allegedly relied on violence — including assault of innocent civilians and rival gang members — to exert and maintain control over a busy commercial corridor along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens. Those arrested acted and behaved with callous and cruel disregard for those around them. Our actions represent yet another example of the FBI’s commitment to crushing the violent transnational gangs plaguing our communities,” Raia added.

“The defendants in this case are accused of unleashing terror onto Queens communities through brutal assaults, extortion, fraud and drug trafficking, all in furtherance of the 18th Street Gang’s agenda. Every resident deserves to feel safe walking down the street without having to worry about gang violence. My office will continue to combat violent criminal enterprises and assist partner investigations to dismantle gangs as they try to establish themselves in our neighborhoods,” Katz commented. “We thank the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the FBI and the NYPD for their hard work in this case.”

As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, the 18th Street Gang is a violent transnational criminal organization with members and associates throughout the United States and Central America. The gang is divided into several “cliques.” The defendants are members and associates of the “54 Tiny Locos” clique, which controls a busy commercial corridor along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens.

For years, 18th Street has maintained control over this area through violence, including assaults on perceived rival gang members that often result in harm to innocent civilians.

The gang financed its operations through drug dealing and various other crimes, including trafficking in fraudulent identification documents and counterfeit currency.

The gang’s production and sale of fraudulent documents — including fake passports, permanent resident cards, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cards — was a primary driver of income for its members and associates.

Members of 18th Street, including the defendants, also committed extortion by charging “rent” to other illicit businesses operating in the area, including unregulated brothels.

Certain of the defendants are also charged in connection with three assaults in aid of racketeering in Queens, New York, that wounded four individuals.