Long Island Gang Violence and Indictments
A leader of a violent gang on Long Island has been linked to a prolonged series of violent incidents in Suffolk County. Prosecutors revealed on Thursday that he also recruited a teenage criminal whose sentence would be reduced.
Marquis Scott, an associate of the Top Rounds Block gang, along with eight others, has been indicted on various charges from as far back as 2016. These charges include two murders, multiple shootings, and cases of sex trafficking, as announced by Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
As he detailed 53 separate charges against Scott and his gang, Tierney criticized the relaxed state laws that enable gangs to manipulate younger members.
“Marquis Scott consistently exploited young gang members to carry out acts of violence at his command,” Tierney stated, highlighting the bill’s restrictions on sentencing.
In August 2021, Scott allegedly directed a 14-year-old named Ramon Lyons, linked to another gang, to kill Luis Cameron Rimmer Hernandez. The motive? The victim’s refusal to take responsibility.
Prosecutors claim Scott coordinated with other gang members to identify Rimmer Hernandez’s location in Huntington Station.
Lyons approached the 21-year-old victim and shot him. Later, Lyons became involved with the gang but was arrested and found guilty of murder. He now faces a sentence ranging from 12 years to life due to the state’s controversial laws limiting prison sentences for juveniles.
“Gangsters have a better understanding of the law than our lawmakers, and they’re exploiting New York’s leniency towards minors,” remarked Tierney, who is a Republican.
Additionally, the district attorney alleges that Scott shot his ex-girlfriend in the face in June 2021, suspecting she was connected with a rival gang. She survived but needed several surgeries.
From December 2020 to April 2022, Scott is accused of instructing his gang members to shoot at rivals and various homes.
During a December 2020 incident, the alleged shooter, Tyshawn Lopez, was captured on video shooting at his attacker in the head, according to prosecutors. Miraculously, all shooting victims from that period survived.
Scott’s attorney has yet to provide a comment on the situation.
Prosecutors asserted that other gang members have contributed to a decade-long reign of terror, including the 2016 murder of innocent 18-year-old Antoine Buttsmiller, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Kevin Donaghy, a gang member nicknamed “White Boy,” is believed to have fired the fatal shot after an argument with a rival at a house party in August 2016.
“We will persist in our investigations across Suffolk County, dedicated to giving these families the answers they seek,” said Tierney.
Additional allegations against Scott include shootings, illegal gun possession, and charges relating to sex trafficking involving various individuals with ties to Bloods-derived gangs.
Scott, along with Donaghy, 33, and Shakur May, 22, have been charged with murder. Other individuals charged with various offenses include Kamory Richardson, Joffa Brown, Justice King, Rashad Casey, Brianna Kuchar, and Lopez.
“We are focusing on the right individuals and will ensure accountability,” stated Suffolk Police Chief Kevin Catalina.
