NEW YORK — Andy Sosa\u00a0\u2013 the former leader of the \u201cTrinitarios,\u201d a violent street and prison gang composed primarily of individuals of Dominican descent \u2013 was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to 10 years in prison for his participation in a massive conspiracy to distribute narcotics and use and possess firearms. SOSA previously pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin.<\/p>\n
According to the indictment, and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made during the sentencing proceedings:<\/p>\n
From approximately 2009 until his arrest in July 2014, SOSA was immersed in activity with the Trinitarios street gang, which has terrorized certain neighborhoods of the Bronx. He led the \u201cGreenbridge\u201d chapter of the Trinitarios, which controlled the drug markets in the area of Kingsbridge Road and Webb Avenue. Undeterred by the arrests of his fellow Trinitarios in a 2011 sweep, SOSA filled the void, and continued to sell drugs \u2013 cocaine, marijuana, pills and what amounted to kilogram quantities of heroin over the years \u2013 in that area of the Bronx. Because of SOSA\u2019s leadership rank in the gang, other Trinitario members and associates sold drugs in that area only with his permission or at his direction. SOSA\u2019s drug distribution network also extended beyond the Bronx; the investigation revealed that he gave hundreds of grams of heroin to others to sell for him in Connecticut.<\/p>\n
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: \u201cAndy Sosa is responsible for funneling massive quantities of heroin, marijuana, prescription drugs and cocaine onto the streets of the Bronx, using violence to intimidate anyone who stood in his way. Thank to the concerted, combined, and coordinated efforts of federal and local law enforcement, Sosa\u2019s brutal reign has ended.\u201d<\/p>\n