15 Charged With Running Violent Drug And Gun Ring In Queens: DA

HOLLIS, QUEENS — Fifteen alleged gang members were hit Tuesday with felony charges for running a violent drug and gun ring in Queens, the result of a two-year investigation by the NYPD and the Queens district attorney's office.

The 15 men, who authorities say are all members of the Hollis-based gang Henderson New York, face possession and other charges for their roles in the drug and gun trafficking ring.

The gang's name comes from Henderson Avenue in Hollis.

Dwayne Bratton, Jerrel Henderson and Hanif Campbell and three others face additional attempted murder charges for plotting to kill a rival gang member by the Baisley Park Houses on May 6, 2018, though the hit was unsuccessful, according to prosecutors.

The alleged gang members used hidden car compartments and even a barbecue grill to stash communal guns used in shootings, prosecutors said. Authorities seized 10 illegal firearms during their investigation.

"Today’s arrests, targeting the gang’s alleged leaders, will put a significant dent in the drug trafficking and drug-related violence plaguing the area," Acting Queens District Attorney John M. Ryan said in a statement.

Law enforcement got wind of the gang, which also goes by HNY, while investigating a drug and gun trafficking ring run by three brothers. That investigation led to 11 arrests.

The defendants are:

• JALEN ANDERSON, 19, of Queens, was arraigned on August 21, 2019, in Queens Supreme Court on three indictments charging him with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and other crimes. Anderson, who faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, was ordered held on $150,000 bail.
• DWAYNE BRATTON, 19, of Queens, was arraigned on August 21, 2019, before Queens Supreme Court Justice Charles Lopresto on two separate indictments charging him with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal mischief and other crimes. The defendant was held on $100,000 bail and ordered to return to court on December 2, 2019. If convicted, Bratton faces up to 25 years in prison.
• HANIF CAMPBELL, 21, of Queens, was arraigned on August 22, 2019, before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Zaro on a 7-count indictment charging him with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal mischief. The defendant was held on $150,000 bail. If convicted, Campbell faces up to 25 years in prison.
• DONALD GUNTHER, 26, of Queens, was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court on August 22, 2019, on a 4-count indictment charging him with first-degree tampering with a witness and second-degree assault. If convicted, Gunther faces up to 25 years in prison.
• CUBA HANFORD, 19, of Queens, was arraigned on August 21, 2019, before Queens Supreme Court Justice Charles Lopresto on a 4-count indictment charging him with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree tampering with a witness and second-degree assault. The defendant was held on $50,000 bail and ordered to return to court on September 25, 2019. If convicted, Hanford faces up to 25 years in prison.
• JERREL HENDERSON, 18, of Queens, was arraigned on August 21, 2019, before Queens Supreme Court Justice Charles Lopresto on a 7-count indictment charging him with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal mischief. The defendant was held on $150,000 bail and ordered to return to court on October 2, 2019. If convicted, Henderson faces up to 25 years in prison.
• MYLES HENDRICKS, 20, of Queens, was arraigned on August 21, 2019 before Queens Supreme Court Justice Charles Lopresto on a 7-count indictment charging him with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal mischief. The defendant was held on $50,000 bail and ordered to return to court on October 3, 2019. If convicted, Hendricks faces up to 25 years in prison.
• JAHRED HENRY, 20, of Queens, was arraigned on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, before Queens Supreme Court Justice Charles Lopresto on two indictments charging him with second- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and other crimes. The defendant was held on $50,000 bail and ordered to return to court on September 24, 2019. If convicted, the defendant faces up to15 years in prison.
• TAHJAY PALMER, 19, of Queens, was arraigned on August 21, 2019, before Queens Supreme Court Justice Charles Lopresto on two indictments charging him with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal mischief and other crimes. The defendant was held on $150,000 bail. If convicted, Palmer faces up to 25 years in prison.
• KHORAN SIMMONS, 17, of Queens, was arraigned on August 22, 2019, before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Zaro on an indictment charging him with second- and third-degree assault and second-degree harassment. The defendant was released on his own recognizance. If convicted, Simmons faces up to seven years in prison.
• WALLACE STEVENSON, 57, of Queens, was arraigned on August 21, 2019, before Queens Supreme Court Justice Charles Lopresto on an indictment charging him with first- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. The defendant was remanded and ordered to return court on September 26, 2019. If convicted, Stevenson faces up to 30 years in prison.
• DARRON SWINNIE, 27, of Queens. The defendant was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court on August 21, 2019, on an indictment charging him with first- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. If convicted, Swinnie faces up to 24 years in prison.