Trinitarios Gang Member Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison For Gunpoint Robberies, Including A Robbery That Resulted In A Murder

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that GIBRAN GUERRERO, a/k/a "Cojito," was sentenced yesterday to 27 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield for participating in several gunpoint robberies as part of his membership in the violent gang known as the Trinitarios, including a robbery that resulted in the murder of Johnny Gaston. GUERRERO previously pled guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to the robberies.

"For too long, the Trinitarios have used intimidation, robbery, and deadly force to terrorize communities," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "The defendant and his fellow gang members carried out a series of brazen, gunpoint robberies and, in December 2022, lured victims into an ambush that left one man dead, and another seriously wounded. He is now where New Yorkers want him-in prison for 27 years. Today's 27-year sentence sends a clear message that gang violence will be met with significant consequences."

As alleged in statements made in public filings and public court proceedings:

From at least in or about 2021 up to and including 2023, GUERRERO was a member of the Trinitarios gang. In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members of the Trinitarios, including GUERRERO, engaged in, among other things, robberies, frauds, narcotics trafficking, and other acts of violence, including murder.

On December 15, 2022, GUERRERO and other Trinitarios members lured two victims to a location in the Bronx and robbed them. During the robbery, one of the victims, Johnny Gaston, was shot and killed. The other victim was shot but survived.

In addition, on or about July 30, 2022, and September 26, 2022, GUERRERO and other Trinitarios members participated in gunpoint robberies of several victims located in the Bronx.

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In addition to the prison term, GUERRERO, 22, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office's Violent Organizations and Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Ly, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew Andrews and Rushmi Bhaskaran, is in charge of the prosecution.