In a revealing case of corruption within the ranks of New York's Finest, former NYPD Detective Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, also known by the monikers "Nene" and "Venom," has entered a guilty plea to a charge of racketeering conspiracy, linked to his role in a violent theft ring. As per a recent announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the ex-detective is accused of abusing his position by providing inside intel to the criminal group, as well as warning them of impending FBI arrests, which allowed them to evade capture; the plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy, with sentencing set for January 8, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román.
Addressing the breach of trust and the gravity of De La Cruz's actions, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton condemned the former detective's betrayal, stating, "The NYPD is the best police department in the world and, sadly, Saul Arismendy De La Cruz turned his back on his colleagues and the people of New York," and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia stated that De La Cruz’s actions enabled criminals to continue their activities, noting that such misconduct is rare within the NYPD.e, according to a press release.
Further details revealed by the U.S. Attorney's Office elucidate the scope of the criminal operations led by fugitive mastermind Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, a.k.a. "Pito," with numerous defendants charged in connection to the assaults on Asian American small business owners resulting in theft of money, jewelry, and property across multiple states, employing tools like fake IDs, bank fraud, and money laundering; attempts to locate Soto-Ramirez continue, with the FBI urging anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
De La Cruz, a 33-year-old from Queens, now faces up to 20 years in prison for his role in the racketeering conspiracy, during which time he graduated from officer to detective while ingratiating himself with the criminal crew, the investigation behind these charges was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, the NYPD, and state and local policing bodies, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josiah Pertz and Jeffrey C. Coffman helming the prosecution; the work of these legal teams and the ongoing nature of the investigation were praised by Mr. Clayton, as mentioned in the press release.
