Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment of nine individuals in connection with the "Lowndes Block Gang" (LBG) following a large-scale law enforcement operation. The 53-count indictment includes charges related to two murders, multiple non-fatal shootings, and allegations of sex trafficking, as detailed in a statement from the Suffolk County District Attorney. The LBG, named after Lowndes Avenue in Huntington Station, is described as a violent street gang with associations to prominent "Bloods" sets.
The investigation was led by the DA’s Cold Case Gang Homicide Unit and involved collaboration with local and federal agencies, including the Suffolk County Police and Sheriff’s Offices, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. Together, these agencies worked to dismantle the violent activities of the gang. District Attorney Tierney emphasized the importance of holding all those involved accountable and expressed a commitment to eliminating such conduct from Suffolk County. He also raised concerns about New York’s Raise the Age law, suggesting that it may create incentives for gangs to exploit younger members for violent activities.
This extensive indictment follows years of detailed surveillance and investigative efforts aimed at dismantling violent organizations like LBG. The gang has been connected to several violent incidents since 2016, including the high-profile murder of Luis Cameron Rimmer-Hernandez, as well as multiple shootings targeting rival gang members and individuals seen as disrespecting the gang. Additionally, the investigation uncovered a sex trafficking operation that is believed to have financially supported the gang's activities, including the acquisition of firearms.
The indictment includes several significant individuals, including Marques Scott, who is accused of playing a central role in orchestrating gang activities and faces the top charge of Murder in the Second Degree. Officials allege that Scott had the authority to direct younger members to carry out violent acts, supplying them with firearms and offering rewards for their actions. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina highlighted the importance of these efforts, noting that the combined strength of the agencies involved is critical to dismantling gangs. The collaboration between local and federal agencies has been essential in gathering the evidence required for this indictment.
Assistant District Attorneys Donald Barclay, Ashley Cango, and Michelle Chiuchiolo, from the DA's Violent Criminal Enterprises and Homicide Bureaus, are leading the prosecution, with support from paralegal Isabella Sestak. The charges are intended to send a strong message to violent criminal organizations operating in the community, signaling that their actions will not be tolerated and that the safety of Suffolk County remains a top priority for law enforcement.
