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Among 16 Bronxites Indicted in Valentine Ave Drug Case Marcus Loses Appeal VICAR Cited

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 21 –  Angel Villafane, previously convicted of a felony, was arrested for having a gun in incidents starting at 97th Street and Second Avenue then 110th Street and the FDR (long barrel firearm)  

  On May 20, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York  Judge Victor Marrero held a conference. Inner City Press covered it, the only media there.

Jump cut to March 6, 2024 - now it was grown to a 16 defendant indictment: "As alleged, day in and day out, this crew distributed fentanyl, heroin, and crack along several blocks on Valentine Avenue."

Inner City Press went to arraignments including that of Christopher Meadows, who the prosecutor described as an enforcer for the lead named defendant (who was detained on consent).

  Based on medical conditions named in court but which Inner City Press will voluntarily not report, he was ordered bailed on $50,000 bond to his mother's residence in Soundview by Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo. On the day of appeal, the US agreed to release.

On March 15, another co-defendant had a bail hearing before Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. Inner City Press was there, here

OK - now at bail hearing in Bronx Valentine Ave 16 case - 10 supporters of detained defendant here. Defense: My client could move out of The Bronx, to his mother's on Staten Island, or to a suretor's in Orange County. He's charged with aiding & abetting the use or brandishing of a firearm in connection with narcotics sales

AUSA: We are appealing one order to release: we agreed to release Meadows ["The Enforcer," Inner City Press live tweeted that too]. Defense: My client manages a musician, sells clothing at clubs. He used to be a porter at Tracy Towers [in The Bronx]

AUSA: He possessed a loaded weapon, and sold fentanyl. He faces 360 months to life in prison. Four cooperating witnesses will testify against him, one of them a rival. Another will testify to selling him a gun.

 AUSA: He was arrested with a gun and hollow point bullets, in a bedroom shared with a two year old autistic child. He is a clear and present danger to the community

 Judge: I'm focusing on danger to the community. A gun was found at your residence. I'm ordering detention.

On March 20, co-defendant Damel Marcus asked for release on bail, in Magistrates Court. Inner City Press was there, thread

Late in the day came notice that the defense has appealed to Part I, for March 21. Inner City Press was there, thread:

AUSA: As we put on the record yesterday, there are multiple cooperating witnesses that this defendant was involved in drugs and guns. He joined the crew in 2018. 3 will testify to 2 discharges [of a gun] He fired back at a rival, and another time after a fight

 Judge: When was that?

AUSA: 2020. In a third incident, a crew member was ambushed and knocked to the grounds. Metal chains that had been heated on a space heater were used to beat him. This defendant participated, this beating with heated chains in 2021

Defense: They didn't take that to the grand jury. So this is hearsay, not thought sufficient to take to a grand jury.  Judge: The AUSA says they have cooperating witnesses AUSA: For the VICAR charges we seek, we need approval outside our office

 Defense: This is ipsi dixit! Judge: We have a proffer from the Government. Defense: 49 year olds rarely cut their GPS bracelet, or those with passport issues 

 Judge: I am ordering him to continue to be detained. I am concerned about the firearms discharge, and the wielding of the chains, that he was present. Adjourned

Watch this site.

The case is US v. Villafane, et al., 21-cr-93 (Marrero  / Stein)  

***

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