Elijah Bermudez, known as "Quiet," a gang member from Poughkeepsie, was given a lengthy prison term of 34 years for his involvement in the murder of a teenager and associated crimes. As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Bermudez, involved in the violent activities of the Bully Hard Hunna Blood gang, faced his day of reckoning before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román, who was overseeing the case.
According to the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Bermudez was actively involved in the activities of the gang between early 2020 and April 2022, committing various crimes, including murder and narcotics trafficking. It was in this cauldron of violence that Bermudez was found to fatally shoot a 16-year-old, Frederick Wells—referred to by his loved ones as "Khabir"—in an incident that unfolded at the wrong place and at the wrong time for the young bystander.
The violent disputes that Bermudez engaged in were not solely targeted at rival gangs but also turned inward among Bully Hard's own ranks, leading to an evident unraveling of loyalty within. These altercations often erupted into assault, shootings, and even murder. In addition to gun violence, the gang members were known to have distributed heroin and marijuana throughout their territories in New York City and Upstate New York.
On June 20, 2020, a turn of events resulted in a tragic outcome for Wells. During an altercation with the rival gang Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation, Bermudez fatally shot Wells, a school friend of an adversary gang member, and not a participant in the exchange of violence. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton was quoted as saying, "Today’s significant sentence holds Bermudez accountable for this senseless murder, as well as for his participation in the wide range of crimes committed by the Bully Hard gang," as stated in the press release.
As part of his sentence, Bermudez, now 32, will also face three years of supervised release following his prison term. On July 9, 2024, he had pled guilty to one count each of racketeering conspiracy, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and conspiracy to possess ammunition after a felony conviction. The FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, and Dutchess County District Attorney's Office were all acknowledged for their exemplary investigative efforts.
