STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton today announced the takedown of 13 individuals on drug charges, including four dealers who sold heroin and cocaine in and around New Brighton.
“Let this operation serve as an example that my office and the NYPD are continuing in our combined efforts to arrest and aggressively prosecute individuals who sell deadly illegal drugs on the streets of Staten Island,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “I want to thank the NYPD detectives of Narcotics Borough Staten Island for their hard work on this investigation, and I want to assure the public that my prosecutors will continue to work diligently with the NYPD and our partners in law enforcement to hold drug dealers accountable for their actions.”
“This long term investigation affirms the NYPD’s commitment to undermine illicit, violent drug operations in our neighborhoods,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton. “Aptly nicknamed ‘Predator,’ the narcotics being peddled wreaked havoc on its victims and their families. I want to commend the investigators of Narcotics Borough Staten Island for their resolve in dismantling this gang-related operation and, in doing so, restoring some measure of comfort to the residents of New Brighton.”
The 14-month investigation began in February 2015 and utilized undercover officers. It was dubbed “Operation New Blood,” a reference to the dealers who filled the vacuum created after 24 suspects were rounded up during Operation Jersey Boys in summer 2014. At least one defendant is a member the Original Stacks, a Bloods-affiliated crew.
Arrested yesterday were the following suspected dealers:
• TYSHAWN WILLIAMS, who sold heroin (stamped “Predator”) and/or cocaine on 10 occasions
between June 23, 2015 and Dec. 9, 2015.
• DWAN PEGUES, who sold heroin and/or crack cocaine on 9 occasions between Sept. 1, 2015 and
March 30, 2016.
• JEROME BRADSHAW, who sold heroin on 10 occasions between July 28, 2015 and March 25,
2016.
• JOSHUA TORRES, who sold heroin on 5 occasions between March 4, 2016 and March 24, 2016
Also arrested were NASHAWNA BENJAMIN, GERALD GORDON, DWAN PEGUES SR., MARIE CONNOR, LINDA TORRES, KENDELL NEWCOMB, JAMES CAMPBELL, KYLEIK DANIELS, and CHRISTOPHER ARENA.
Search warrants executed yesterday at six locations (including apartments at 456 Richmond Terrace, 217 Hamilton Ave., 290B Jersey St. and 29 Homer Ave.) yielded quantities of heroin, crack, oxycodone, and marijuana, as well as a US currency, scales, narcotics packaging materials, and paraphernalia.
