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Rockland County Drug Dealer Wayne Hicks Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison For Participation In February 2021 Assault

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Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WAYNE HICKS, a/k/a “Weez,” was sentenced to 17 years in prison for drug trafficking and violent crimes, including a brutal beating and robbery of a victim in New City, New York, on February 28, 2021.  HICKS pled guilty on August 25, 2023, in White Plains federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of Travel Act Assault, one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, who imposed today’s sentence.

HICKS, a marijuana dealer, directed two separate acts of violence to support his drug business.  First, in November 2020, after a marijuana dealer who worked for HICKS was robbed, HICKS arranged for a co-conspirator to shoot one of the robbers.  Second, in February 2021, after JORDAN WOODBINE, another marijuana dealer who worked for HICKS, was robbed, HICKS contacted his brother, co-defendant DWAYNE HICKS, to arrange retribution.  Thereafter, DWAYNE HICKS lured a victim, who the conspirators believed had participated in the robbery of WOODBINE, to a residence in New City, New York, where DWAYNE HICKS and multiple other assailants, including TNAIYA WILLIAMS, BRIAN THOMAS, and WOODBINE, physically attacked the victim.  At times, WAYNE HICKS monitored the attack over video chat.  The assailants forced the victim to strip naked, stole his belongings, including a quantity of marijuana the assailants believed the victim had stolen, then beat the victim with a baseball bat, belts, and their hands and feet, and repeatedly slashed and stabbed the victim with a large knife.  The victim ultimately fled after being left, naked and covered in blood, in a pile of snow.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), the Clarkstown Police Department, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, and the Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of special agents and task force officers from the FBI, U.S. Probation, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York City, Westchester County, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Greenburgh, White Plains, Peekskill, Ramapo, and Clarkstown Police Departments.

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Clarkstown Man Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison For Distributing Fentanyl

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Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino and Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that following a 2022 investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, Clarkstown PD, and the Drug Enforcement Administration into Justin Turnick, 26 of Congers, New York, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern to over 21 years in prison.
Turnick previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. In his plea agreement, TURNICK took responsibility for distributing fentanyl that resulted in three fatal fentanyl poisonings and three non-fatal fentanyl poisonings of teenagers and young adults between February 2020 and April 2022 in Rockland County, New York.
According to the allegations in the federal Indictment, Court filings, and statements made in Court:
Turnick engaged in the regular distribution of narcotics to members of his community in Rockland County, New York, including his friends, partners, and acquaintances. He knowingly distributed fentanyl — a deadly and highly potent opioid — in various forms, including fentanyl that had been packaged into pills, pure fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced powder.
Turnick distributed fentanyl that resulted in three fatal and three non-fatal poisonings:
– On or about February 3, 2020, Gustaf Olsen died at age 19 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 11, 2020, Jonathan Shashoua died at age 22 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about January 5, 2021, an 18-year-old girl experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 30, 2021, Ione Koenig experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 31, 2021, Ione Koenig died at age 18 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about April 19, 2022, a 23-year-old man experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
In addition to the prison sentence, Turnick was sentenced to 5 years of supervised release.
“Today’s sentencing reflects the commitment the DEA and our law enforcement partners have in targeting those individuals who are poisoning our communities. Fentanyl is a lethal drug that dealers mix into their product knowing the harmful effects it presents to those using it, including death” stated DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “While we can never bring back those lives lost by Mr. Tunick’s reckless actions, the DEA will always continue to bring those responsible for this deadly distribution to justice.”
“The actions by the defendant in this case resulted in three individuals losing their lives and harming countless others. My Office is committed to keeping fentanyl and illegal narcotics off of our streets and our residents safe. I would like to commend the excellent work by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, Clarkstown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York to hold the defendant accountable. Mr. Turnick will be facing a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.” said District Attorney Tom Walsh
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock. Some information above is from the Southern District of New York.

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Crime

FBI Offers $25,000 Reward for Information Leading To A Conviction In The Murder of Nicholas Jasiel In Spring Valley

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The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identity, arrest, and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Nicholas Jasiel.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., on December 7, 2019, 19-year-old Nicholas Jasiel was shot while in the street at the corner of Dwight Avenue and Mallory Road in the Hillcrest section of Spring Valley, New York, resulting in his death.
If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. FBI NYC Field Office can be reached at (212) 384-1000.

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