September 21, 2005
DILLON & LAWRENCE ANNOUNCE:
INDICTMENT OF SWP GANG LEADER AND ASSOCIATES
Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon and Nassau County Police Commissioner James Lawrence announced today the results of a joint investigation into gun and drug trafficking by gang members. The investigation began in November of 2004 and concluded recently with the following results:
The indictment of Xavier Martinez, 19, of 322 Washington Street, Hempstead, a.k.a. Pika and Pikachu. Martinez is known to law enforcement as a leader of the Salvadorians With Pride (SWP) Gang in Hempstead and has been indicted on numerous charges including A1 & A2 Felony Drug Sales and the sale of a loaded firearm. If convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison.
The Indictment of David Ramis, 27, of 1318 Cambria Street, Uniondale. Ramis is a member of the Trackside Gang and was Martinez’s drug supplier. He has been charged with A1 and A2 felony drug sales and possession of a loaded firearm. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
The arrest of Johnny Rodriguez, 16, of 358 Locust Street, Uniondale, an SWP Gang Member, who is charged with the sale of an inoperable loaded firearm.
The conviction of Paul Coles, 16, of 210 Wellington Street, Hempstead, an SWP Gang Member, who is charged with the sale of a loaded firearm.
These defendants have been charged as a result of an investigation by Investigators from the District Attorney’s Street Narcotics and Gang Bureau and the Nassau County Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Bureau.
According to Dillon, "Our investigation began in November 2004 when we received information that an individual identified as Pika was selling Cocaine in the Hempstead area. Pika (Pikachu) was known to law enforcement as a leader of the SWP Gang in Hempstead. He had been shot and injured twice before by rival MS-13 gang members. This undercover investigation involved the use of confidential informants, wiretaps, surveillance and search warrants. We began by making a series of narcotics and weapons buys. Information developed from this and other investigative activities led to an eavesdropping warrant, which allowed us to further infiltrate the criminal activity of these gang members and ultimately identify their drug source.
The following purchases were made:
On 11/30/04 we purchased .151 ounces of Cocaine from Martinez for $175 plus some Marihuana.
On 12/5/04 Martinez showed our informant a .38 Special revolver and offered to sell it to him for $600.
On 12/6/04 we purchased the .38 Special revolver from an associate of Martinez, Paul Coles, also an SWP gang member.
On 12/23/04 we contacted Coles and negotiated the sale of another handgun for $700.
On 12/24/04 we purchased a .380 semiautomatic handgun from Johnny Rodriguez, another member of SWP, for $700. The handgun he sold was not operable.
On 12/31/04 we purchased .193 ounces of Cocaine from Martinez for $170.
On 2/15/05 we purchased .059 ounces of cocaine from Martinez for $70.
On 3/16/05 we purchased .327 ounces of cocaine from Martinez for $350.
On 3/18/05 we purchased .697 ounces of cocaine from Martinez for $650.
On 4/4/05 we purchased .324 ounces of cocaine from Martinez for $350.
On 4/12/05 we purchased .697 ounces of crack cocaine from Martinez for $640.
On 4/14/05 we purchased 2.065 ounces of Cocaine from Martinez and David Ramis for $1,880. By continuing our investigation and working our way up the chain we were able to arrest Ramis, a member of the Trackside Gang. Ramis was Martinez’s drug supplier.
On 4/22/05 we purchased .809 ounces of Cocaine from Ramis for $760.
On 5/11/05 we executed a search warrant at Ramis’ home, where we seized another 13 ounces of Cocaine and a.380 Loaded AMT handgun.
On 5/12/05 a search warrant was executed at the home of Martinez where we seized additional Cocaine and Marihuana.
Paul Coles has already pled guilty to Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and is awaiting sentence. Rodriguez was arrested and charged with Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and his case is still pending.
A Grand Jury has indicted Martinez for one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A1 Felony; two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A2 Felony, five counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony; nine counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; one count of Criminal Sale of Marihuana in the Fifth Degree, a Class B Misdemeanor; two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D felony; and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, a Violation.
A Grand Jury has also indicted Ramis for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A1 Felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A1 Felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A2 Felony; three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony; and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.
"I would like to thank Commissioner Lawrence and the Police Department for their efforts in bringing about the successful conclusion of this investigation," said Dillon. These arrests represent the fruits of our joint efforts to eradicate Gangs from our community."
"This is an example of how the District Attorney’s Office, the Nassau County Police Department and the law enforcement community are cooperating in their efforts to abolish gangs in Nassau County and to make our communities safer for all of our residents," said Commissioner Lawrence.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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