Charges Include Murder, Shootings, Armed Robbery, Gun Possession
By Hank Russell
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, together with law enforcement partners, held a press conference on March 27 to announce the 57-count indictment of 18 alleged members and associates of a Riverhead-based gang that refers to itself as the “48 Gang.” The indictment followed an investigation by the District Attorney’s Office Gang Violence Task Force in conjunction with the Riverhead Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Southampton Town Police Department, Nassau County Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force.
“This indictment is yet another example of my office’s steadfast commitment to eliminating gang violence in Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Once again, working with all our local and federal partners throughout Long Island, we were able to secure this consequential indictment and help bring justice to victims of gang violence throughout Suffolk County. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: gangs and illegal weapons have no place in Suffolk County, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that any gang member, or anyone aiding gang members, operating in Suffolk County, will be brought to justice.”
“Above all else, this case highlights two critical points. First, the violent acts of a few will not be allowed to destroy the lives of many. Second, this case highlights the fact that no one is above the law,” said Riverhead Police Department Chief of Police Ed Frost.
“There is no place for gang violence in our communities, and we will not stand on the sidelines while individuals bring fear to our neighborhoods through their violent actions,” added Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “Working alongside the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we will not relent in our pursuit of those responsible. Whether it takes months or years, we will continue to investigate, solve these crimes, and bring justice to the victims and their families.”
“Once again, Suffolk County’s law enforcement partners have demonstrated what’s possible when agencies work together,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “This investigation reflects months of coordinated, intelligence-driven police work that led to the dismantling of a dangerous gang and the removal of illegal weapons from our streets. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of these officers, we are able to hold these criminals accountable and continue to protect our communities.”
According to the investigation, the defendants were members and associates of a violent criminal street organization operating primarily in the Town of Riverhead, specifically, the areas surrounding Oakland Drive, known as the “4 Block,” the Doctors Path Apartments at 641 Doctors Path, and the River Pointe Apartments at 821 East Main Street. Borrowing from each of the above addresses, the gang referred to themselves as the “48 Gang.”
The investigation revealed that 48 Gang members also affiliated with widely-recognized gangs such as the “Bloodhound Brims” and “Mak Balla Family” and associated with other local gang members. The defendants’ connection to Riverhead was allegedly prioritized over other gang associations and the defendants worked together to allegedly share illegal firearms and use those firearms in the commission of shootings and armed robberies.
The investigation culminated in a five-month grand jury presentation charging two murders, eight armed robberies, five additional shootings, and the possession of 13 illegal weapons. In addition, the investigation uncovered that from January 2021 through December 2022, defendant Kyren Braunkill allegedly conspired with multiple alleged gang members to sell and possess illegal firearms. During that time, Bruanskill worked as a 911 operator with the New York City Police Department before becoming a police officer for the Mount Vernon Police Department in December 2022, where he currently holds the rank of Detective.
It is alleged as overt acts in the indictment that in December 2022, the same month he became a member of the Mount Vernon Police Department, Braunskill allegedly attempted to arrange the sale of multiple illegal firearms to an alleged gang member, worked with an alleged gang member to attempt to deposit forged checks, and even solicited the assistance of an alleged high-ranking gang member to commit a shooting on Braunskill’s behalf.
Braunskill is one of sixteen defendants charged in a long-term conspiracy to illegally possess weapons spanning from 2021 through 2025. During that time, members of law enforcement recovered twelve illegal weapons from the defendants, which were alleged to have been used in multiple shootings and armed robberies.
In addition to the conspiracy to possess weapons, eight of the defendants are charged in a long-term conspiracy to commit murder, and eleven defendants are charged in a conspiracy to commit armed robberies. It is alleged that the defendants used violence as a means of establishing geographical dominance over the Riverhead area and funded their criminal activity through armed robberies, firearms sales, narcotics sales, and financial fraud.
Several of these shootings and armed robberies charged within the indictment are described below:
⬤ On June 23, 2021, defendants Jacob Moore, Justin Dicks, and Javon Holliday allegedly got into a verbal dispute with several individuals. Following the dispute, Moore, Dicks, and Holliday drove to the Aquebogue residence of one of the individuals, believing said individual to be inside the residence.
Once at the residence, at approximately 10:13 p.m., it is alleged that Moore, Dicks, and Holliday acted in concert to fire multiple shots from two separate firearms from the passenger side of Moore’s vehicle into the residence, which at the time was occupied by a 74-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man. Nobody was injured as a result of the shooting, but several bullets entered the residence, striking the bedroom door and the living room couch.
⬤ On October 26, 2021, it is alleged that Dicks and Moore arranged to rob Marcel Arrington, an 18-year-old from Mastic Beach, at gunpoint on Bayview Avenue in Mastic Beach. It is alleged that Dicks and Moore contacted Arrington under the guise of attempting to purchase a quantity of marijuana.
When Dicks and Moore arrived to meet Arrington, Dicks is alleged to have brandished a pistol at Arrington and attempted to rob Arrington at gunpoint. During the robbery, it is further alleged that Dicks shot Arrington one time in the chest, killing him, before stealing the marijuana and driving away with Moore. An examination of the expended shell casing at the scene of the homicide revealed that the pistol Dicks allegedly used was one of the same guns used in the June 23, 2021, shooting of the Aquebogue residence.
⬤ On September 26, 2022, at approximately 7:00 p.m., it is alleged that Elias Lugo, Acorey Hobbs, and Omarion Francis travelled to Taylor Avenue in Bellport, armed with multiple firearms, looking for rival gang members. Once the defendants arrived, it is further alleged that they exited their vehicle and fired multiple shots from three weapons at a group of rival gang members gathered in front of a Taylor Avenue residence. Nobody was injured as a result of the shooting.
⬤ On January 6, 2023, it is alleged that Nickomas Allen, an alleged high-ranking gang member in the Riverhead area, got into a physical altercation with 47-year-old Mastic man, James Ayers, in the parking lot of 821 East Main Street, Riverhead. It is alleged that during this altercation, Ayers punched Allen in the head in front of several individuals, before Ayers exited the parking lot and walked westbound on Main Street.
Following the fight, Allen allegedly went into an apartment at the complex, returned with a firearm, and followed Ayers westbound down Main Street until he encountered him in the vicinity of 747 East Main Street. Once Allen encountered Ayers, the two engaged in a verbal dispute, and Allen allegedly shot Ayers in the head. Allen fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Ayers was rushed to South Shore University Hospital and died as a result of his injuries days later.
⬤ In the early morning hours of September 26, 2023, it is alleged that Dicks, Moore, Brandon Johnson, and Jeonta Scott, robbed two 7-11 convenience stores at gunpoint in less than one hour.
At approximately 3:22 a.m., it is alleged that the defendants entered the 7-11 at 193 Caleb’s Path in Central Islip wearing dark clothes and masks. Once inside, MOORE allegedly served as a lookout by the door while Dicks and Johnson allegedly brandished two firearms at the 69-year-old cashier, went behind the counter and demanded all the money from the cash register, stealing approximately $600.
Approximately 50 minutes later, the defendants travelled to a 7-11 in North Bellmore. At 4:09 a.m., Moore again allegedly served as a lookout by the door while Scott and Johnson allegedly demanded all of the money from the 67-year-old cashier at gunpoint and stole approximately $1,000 in cash from the cash register.
⬤ In September 2024, Demarion Weston, Kevin Setchoy, and Joel Sandoval Llamas allegedly conspired to rob the El Quetzal Deli on Flanders Road in Flanders at gunpoint. Shortly before noon on September 23, 2024, Weston allegedly entered the deli armed with a firearm, threatened the clerk, and stole approximately $6,000 from the cash register. Weston then allegedly pistol-whipped the clerk on her head and body.
On January 8, 2025, following an investigation into the September 23, 2024, robbery, members of law enforcement executed a search warrant at Weston’s Farmingville apartment, where he lived with Tiana Macdonald and Macdonald’s young child. Inside the apartment, law enforcement recovered a loaded handgun believed to be the same firearm used in the robbery, as well as a quantity of fentanyl, cocaine, digital scales, and cash.
The following defendants were indicted:
- Justin Dicks, 24, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I felony. Dicks is currently in custody and scheduled to be arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft, Jr. on April 2, 2026.
- Jacob Moore, 24, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I felony. Moore is currently in custody and scheduled to be arraigned before Senft on April 2, 2026.
- Nickomas Allen, 38, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I felony. Allen is currently in federal custody in Pennsylvania on an unrelated matter and will be transported to Suffolk County to be arraigned at a later date.
- Elias Lugo, 20, of Riverhead faces a top count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony. On March 26, 2026, he was arraigned on the indictment before Senft, who ordered Lugo held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Lugo is due back in court on April 16, 2026, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Javon Holliday, 23, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. Holliday is currently in New York State custody on an unrelated matter and will be arraigned at a later date. He faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Acorey Hobbs, 20, of Southampton, faces a top count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony. Hobbs is currently in New York State custody on an unrelated matter and will be arraigned at a later date. He faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Brandon Johnson, 21, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. Johnson is currently in custody and scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Senft on April 1, 2026. Johnson faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Omarion Francis, 21, of Coram, faces a top count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony. Francis is currently in New York State custody on an unrelated matter and is scheduled to be arraigned at a later date. He faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Kendall Gamble, 26, of Shirley, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony. On March 26, 2026, he was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Senft, who ordered Gamble held on $150,000 cash, $300,000 bond, or $1,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Gamble is due back in court on April 16, 2026, and faces up to 8 ⅓ to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Demario Weston, 23, of Farmingville, faces a top count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. Weston is currently in custody and scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Senft on April 2, 2026. Weston faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Jayvonte Nash, 25, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony. Nash is currently being held on charges on an unrelated indictment and is scheduled to be arraigned before Senft on March 31, 2026. He faces up to 1⅓ to four years in prison.
- Jeonta Scott, 25, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. Scott is currently in custody and scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Senft on April 2, 2026. Scott faces up to 25 years if convicted on the top count.
- Kevin Setchoy, 23, of Mastic, faces a top count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. Setchoy is currently in custody and will be arraigned at a later date. Setchoy faces up to 25 years if convicted on the top count.
- Andre Williams, 25, of Calverton, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony. Williams is currently in custody and scheduled to be arraigned before Senft on April 2, 2026. Williams faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Kyren Braunskill, 34, of Mount Vernon, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony. On March 26, 2026, he was arraigned on the indictment before Senft, who placed Braunskill on supervised release with GPS conditions because his charges are considered non-bail-eligible under New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail. Braunskill is due back in court on April 15, 2026, and faces up to 1⅓ to four years in prison.
- Courtney Gregg, 34, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Hindering Prosecution in the Second Degree, a Class D felony. On March 26, 2026, she was arraigned on the indictment before Senft, who placed Gregg on supervised release with GPS conditions because her charges are considered non-bail-eligible under New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail. Gregg is due back in court on April 13, 2026, and faces up to 2⅓ to seven years in prison.
- Joel Sandoval Llamas, 26, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. On March 25, 2026, Sandoval Llamas was arrested on these charges in West Virginia and is currently in custody awaiting extradition. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
- Tiana Macdonald, 24, of Farmingville, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony. Macdonald is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on April 9, 2026. Macdonald’s charges are considered non-bail eligible under New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail. She faces up to nine years in prison if convicted on the top count.