A Bloods gang member was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison for the November 2020 murder of a 21-year-old man and attempted murder of another individual in Freeport.
Floyd McNeil, also known as “DOT” and “Diddy DOT,” 27, of Hempstead, was convicted after a trial before Judge Howard Sturim on November 27, 2023, of second-degree murder (a Class A-I felony); second-degree attempted murder (a Class B violent felony); first-degree attempted assault and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (all Class C violent felonies).
McNeil was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison consecutive to a 25-year sentence McNeil is currently serving after being convicted at trial in June 2022 of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and criminal use of a firearm (all Class B violent felonies) and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a Class C violent felony) for a September 2019 shooting in Hempstead.
On November 28, 2020, 21-year-old Taffarie Haughton and a second 19-year-old victim were at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Freeport. The victims entered the park bathroom and were followed by several Bloods gang members who were attending a gang meeting in the park.
When Haughton and the other victim attempted to leave the park, the exit was blocked by numerous members of the gang, including the defendant. McNeil and his co-defendant, Christopher Anderson, then began firing on the victims, striking them both.
Haughton was struck twice, once in the chest, piercing his lung and heart, and once in the left foot. He was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The other victim was struck once in the shoulder and taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.
Seven shell casings were recovered from the scene.
McNeil and Anderson were both arrested on June 13, 2022, by detectives of the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.
Anderson pleaded guilty in June 2023 before Judge Sturim to second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. He was sentenced in August 2023 to 22 years to life in prison.
“This defendant caused unbelievable pain and suffering, senselessly murdering a 21-year-old man, and nearly killing another because they interrupted a gang meeting in a park,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Floyd McNeil is an incredibly dangerous individual, wreaking havoc in Hempstead and Freeport in 2019 and 2020. Today’s sentence ensures that McNeil’s violence in those communities will finally end. Our thoughts remain with the family of Taffarie Haughton, and we hope this sentence provides some measure of justice.”