In a case involving one of Manhattan’s documented gangs, senior leaders Jesus Zapata, also known as "Jeezy" and "Hendrix," and Brayan Lloret, known as "E.T.," have entered guilty pleas to a series of violent charges. The pleas were part of a broader crackdown on the Own Every Dollar (OED) gang by federal authorities. In a case that has already seen 22 members convicted, Zapata and Lloret admitted to their roles in the gang's violent crimes, including racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
OED, a subset of the larger Trinitarios gang, has been linked to violent activity in the Washington Heights area. "Jesus Zapata and Brayan Lloret were two of the top leaders of the deadly Manhattan-based Own Every Dollar gang," U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated in the press release. Found guilty of carrying out or directing multiple violent incidents, including three slashings on Rikers Island in 2021, the individuals now await sentencing by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken.
Zapata, 35, and Lloret, 27, both from New York, face severe sentences for their crimes. As part of his guilty plea, Zapata acknowledged one count of racketeering conspiracy and multiple counts relating to attempted murder, assault, and narcotics conspiracy, which together carry maximum sentences that potentially amount to life in prison. Lloret pleaded guilty to similar charges, with the racketeering conspiracy count alone carrying a maximum sentence of life and the assault-related counts up to 20 years each. These sentences, prescribed by Congress, ultimately rest in the hands of the sentencing judge, who is yet to determine the final penalties, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The convictions of the gang members mark a key outcome in ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address gang-related violence in New York City. The New York City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration played central roles in the investigation, with U.S. Attorney Damian Williams commending their contributions. The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner, Kevin Mead, Alexandra S. Messiter, and Ashley C. Nicolas overseeing the prosecution.
