In a sobering turn of events, federal prosecutors in Manhattan have charged four individuals for their alleged roles in the cyberstalking and cold-blooded murder of Raymond Resto, known as "Sugar Hill Tone," in the Bronx. Resto, 49, faced a violent death in 2023, and now, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has unsealed an indictment against Ivan Collado, Patricia Villalba, also known as "Patty" or "Sweetz," Arecio Collado, and Jerry Vargas, known as "Peligro." These charges include cyberstalking resulting in death, murder through the use of a firearm, conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death, and narcotics conspiracy.
According to a statement by U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon of the Southern District of New York, the suspects executed a "sophisticated and brazen scheme" to stalk, kidnap, and ultimately kill Resto over a drug debt. He was shot dead in the Throggs Neck Shopping Center parking lot in front of his wife, shaking the community as the reality of drug-related violence hit close to home. "This Office’s commitment to investigate such callous violence is unwavering and we will not relent in our aggressive pursuit of justice against violent criminals" Sassoon announced.
Details on the indictment suggest that the accused were involved in distributing powder cocaine throughout New York City. When a drug dealer backed by Resto failed to settle a debt for the obtained cocaine from the defendants, intimidation tactics escalated, resulting in tragic ends. In the chilling sequence of events, Resto was cornered in the parking lot by a BMW, from which three armed assailants attempted to abduct him. During the skirmish, Resto was fatally shot multiple times.
Frank A. Tarentino, the Special Agent in Charge for the New York Division of the DEA, highlighted the inherent violence in drug trafficking. "These individuals, who participated in the cyberstalking, attempted kidnapping, and murder of Mr. Resto, chose to use violence and intimidation to further their criminal enterprise," he told the U.S. Attorney's Office, as these words further illuminate the stark underbelly of illegal narcotics distribution. The Superseding Indictment, Tarentino believes, showcases the robust partnership between DEA New York and law enforcement partners dedicated to community safety.
The indictment also recounts how, after Resto's murder, the defendants intensified their menacing efforts towards the indebted CC-1 and his family. Brought into the public eye by the meticulous work of the DEA Task Force, NYPD, and New York State Police, alongside the NYPD's Bronx Homicide Squad and New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts, the case moves forward. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley C. Nicolas, Joseph H. Rosenberg, and Courtney L. Heavey lead the prosecution, abetted by Koren Augustin, the investigative analyst, and Chanel-Ashley Foster, the paralegal specialist. Those in possession of information that could contribute to the case are urged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
