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KCDA and NYPD Take Down 12 Drug Dealers in Red Hook


From yesterday's press release from Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes:

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY ANNOUNCE TAKEDOWN OF 12 IN WEST RED HOOK DRUG SWEEP

Brooklyn, September 5, 2012- Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the arrest of six drug dealers who have been operating in the Red Hook housing developments, and the arrest of six additional individuals found in possession of narcotics in the targeted locations. The takedown marks the conclusion of a joint long-term investigation conducted by the NYPD's Brooklyn South Narcotics Major Case Unit and his office's Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau that was initiated in direct response to community requests for assistance.

Over the course of the six-month investigation, entitled "Operation Red Dawn," defendants Rodney Brown, Jurmain Cecilia, Lydia Livingston, Rashime DeVaughn, Jenine Tunstall and Karen Vaughn sold cocaine, heroin and marijuana out of apartments located in a half-block area centered at Dwight and Lorraine Streets. Execution of four search warrants today in targeted locations resulted in the seizure of substantial quantities of cocaine, heroin and marijuana, and resulted in the arrests of Clarence Gilliam, Sonae Ketter, Jeanette Mays, Jonathan Morris, Michael Singletary and Calvin Williams on possession charges. The six dealers face charges of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and related sale offenses.

"In the last decade, cooperative efforts between the Kings County District Attorney's Office, the New York City Police Department and the concerned citizens of Red Hook, all centered around the Red Hook Community Justice Center, the first of its kind in the nation, have resulted in significant reduction in crime and a vastly better quality of life for Red Hook residents," said District Attorney Hynes. "When recent organized drug activity in the Red Hook housing developments created a risk to all that had been accomplished, my office and the NYPD quickly mobilized to address the situation."

"With this drug dealing dozen behind bars, Red Hook Houses is cleaner and safer today," said Commissioner Kelly.

The case was investigated by Detective Robert Negron and Lieutenant Kevin Carlton. Assistant District Attorneys Timothy Gearon and Tara Lenich are prosecuting the case for the Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau. Marc J. Fliedner is the Chief of the Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau.

Captain J. D. Schiff
76th Precinct, NYPD
Commanding Officer

For more information on the investigation, click here.

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