A Manhattan gang member has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2019 killing of Roberto Vasquez, an innocent bystander who was mistakenly identified as a rival gang member. Luis Filpo, 25, previously pled guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. The sentence will run consecutively to a state sentence Filpo is currently serving, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the tragic nature of the crime, stating, "Luis Filpo walked up to a car and opened fire, killing Vasquez and wounding another occupant." He noted that the unnecessary loss was compounded by Filpo's mistake, believing Vasquez to be a gang adversary. In his statement, Clayton credited the diligent efforts of federal law enforcement and their partners, sending a clear message to gang affiliates about the serious consequences of such criminal activities, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The "200s," Filpo's gang, operated out of Inwood, Manhattan, and engaged in various criminal activities from at least 2016 through March 2020. These activities were aimed at funding the gang, protecting its territory, and bolstering its image, and included drug trafficking and violence such as shootings and murder.
On the evening of January 31, 2019, Filpo and other gang members followed Vasquez's vehicle and, upon its parking, Filpo approached the vehicle and fired shots, erroneously targeting Vasquez. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, when imposing Filpo's sentence, remarked on the gravity of the crime, saying that Filpo had appointed himself "judge, jury and executioner,"as mentioned by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
In addition to the prison term, Filpo was sentenced to three years of supervised release. The successful prosecution was the result of extensive investigative work by law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department. The case itself was managed by the Office's Violent and Organized Crime Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew S. Andrews, Frank J. Balsamello, Patrick R. Moroney, and Thomas J. Wright spearheading the prosecution.
