Two Gang Members Sentenced to Prison for Armed Carjackings on Long Island and in Queens

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jaquell Blackwell was sentenced to 63 months' imprisonment for committing three armed carjackings. On December 18, 2025, another defendant, Abdoul Azika, was sentenced to 87 months' imprisonment for his participation in a carjacking with Blackwell and two other armed carjackings. Both proceedings were held before United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentencings.

"For more than a year, the defendants and their co-conspirators engaged in a pattern of armed carjackings targeting hardworking New Yorkers," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "Their sentencings demonstrate that our Office will not tolerate gang violence and will bring these criminals to justice."

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Nassau County Police Department and the Garden City Police Department for their work on the case.

"The defendants repeatedly terrorized and harmed unsuspecting New Yorkers during a series of armed carjackings. The FBI's Safe Streets Task Force continues to protect our communities from senseless gang violence," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

Azika and Blackwell were members of the violent "5zzly" crew of the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang that has engaged in a string of armed carjackings and robberies across New York City and on Long Island. Both gang members pleaded guilty to a carjacking in the early morning hours of March 19, 2023, during which they snuck up on a vehicle parked in a residential neighborhood in Garden City, opened the doors of a vehicle, pointed a knife and a gun at the driver's face, and told him to "get the f--- out of the car." The driver complied and the defendants stole the vehicle.

In connection with his guilty plea, Azika also admitted to committing two additional armed carjackings on June 5, 2022. During the first of those carjackings, which happened in South Farmingdale, Azika and his co-conspirators pulled the victim out of his vehicle at gunpoint, beat him, and stole his vehicle. During the second carjacking in Massapequa, Azika and his co-conspirators entered the victim's vehicle, brandished a gun, assaulted the victim, pulled him out of his vehicle, and stole the vehicle.

In connection with his guilty plea, Blackwell also admitted to committing armed carjackings on June 26, 2022, and June 7, 2023. During the June 2022 carjacking, which happened in Garden City, Blackwell and his co-conspirators got into the victim's vehicle at gunpoint, pulled him out of the vehicle and beat him, and then put him back in and drove him around to ATMs while forcing him to try to withdraw funds. At one point during the ride, one of the co-conspirators said they should "just shoot" the victim because they "don't need him." During the June 2023 carjacking, which happened in Elmont, Blackwell and his co-conspirators opened the victim's door, grabbed the victim and threw him to the ground, punched and kicked the victim, and then stole his vehicle.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca M. Schuman and Kamil R. Ammari are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

ABDOUL AZIKA
Age: 21
Bronx, New York

JAQUELL BLACKWELL
Age: 21
Bronx, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 24-CR-483, 25-CR-194 (DLI)