U.S. Attorney Breon S. Peace | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Breon S. Peace | U.S. Department of Justice
Earlier today, Abdoul Azika and Jaquell Blackwell were taken into custody following charges of armed carjacking. The two defendants appeared in the federal courthouse in Brooklyn before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl and were ordered to be detained.
Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, along with James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York Field Office, announced these charges.
“For more than a year, Azika and Blackwell terrorized and traumatized innocent members of our community through a pattern of violent, armed carjackings,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work diligently to protect our communities from such violence.”
Peace expressed gratitude towards the Garden City Police Department, Nassau County Police Department, and New York City Police Department for their support during the investigation.
“Abdoul Azika and Jaquell Blackwell, two Blood Hounds Brims gang members, allegedly demonstrated a pattern of violence and intimidation by forcing residents to surrender their vehicles at weapon-point. This alleged series of armed robberies incites fear and jeopardizes public safety. The FBI will continue to apprehend gang members who utilize violence to embolden their criminal activities and terrorize our communities,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.
According to court documents, Azika and Blackwell are linked with the "5zzly" crew from the Bronx-based Blood Hounds Brims gang. They have been involved in numerous armed carjackings across New York City and Long Island. One incident highlighted in the complaint occurred on March 19, 2023. It involved both suspects approaching a vehicle parked in Garden City during early morning hours. They reportedly threatened the driver with a knife and gun before taking off with his vehicle.
The allegations against them remain just that—allegations—until proven guilty in court. If convicted on these charges, they could face up to 15 years in prison.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca M. Schuman and Kamil R. Ammari are leading this prosecution effort with support from Paralegal Specialist Rachel Friedman.
The Defendants:
ABDOUL AZIKA
Age: 20
Bronx, New York
JAQUELL BLACKWELL
Age: 19
Bronx, New York
E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 24-MJ-598
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