TWO HARLEM GANGS GET TAKEN DOWN BY THE D.A. GOONS ON DECK & 2MF!

DOWNTOWN — Two Harlem youth gangs running a violent crack- and gun- dealing operation centered on one Central Harlem block have been busted by authorities in an investigation personally led by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr., his office announced Wednesday.

Vance said 14 members of the "2 Mafia Family," also known as 2MF, and "Goons on Deck" are among the city's "most violent criminal gangs."

Based on 137th Street between Lenox and 7th Avenues, the crews joined efforts to run a lively crack and cocaine business in a residential community that is home to churches, schools and community centers, Vance said.


The indicted members were charged with conspiracy, gun and drug charges. A series of arraignments began in Manhattan Supreme Court late Wednesday morning. Vance himself stood before the judge as the defendants were arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court Wednesday because he was personally involved in the investigation, his office said.


Several of them face life in prison if convicted to the top felony charge, first-degree conspiracy. All but two of the defendants were in custody Wednesday morning and awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court.

The gang members were caught discussing criminal business through recorded phone calls from Rikers Island and also on Twitter and other social networking sites, authorities said.

Prosecutors said the gang members used female associates to carry and sell firearms in an attempt to conceal their illegal activities. They also allegedly recruited youths under age 16 to carry and transport guns and drugs.

The 137th Street block had been lorded over by the crews and their activities for years, locals told DNAinfo reporters over the course of the past year. Last year, DNAinfo chronicled the rise in Harlem youth gangs and the way locals have been terrorized by them with an interactive map and the harrowing tales from locals caught in the crossfire between dozens of gangs scattered throughout Upper Manhattan. The immediate surrounding areas are home to the Abyssinian Baptist Church and Harlem Hospital.

Street crews "2 Mafia Family" and "Goons on Deck" inhabited a busy Harlem block, prosecutors said. (DNAinfo/John Marshall Mantel)"Although criminal activity has thankfully dropped citywide over the past few years gang activity remains a constant threat," Vance said at a press conference Wednesday.

One alleged gang member, Jonathan Hernandez, 19, was charged with attempted murder for allegedly firing a handgun into a crowd on Fourth of July weekend last year.

Prosecutors expect to charge members of other organized gangs in the future.

Prosecutors have identified the following defendants who were charged as part of the gang bust: Laquan (Jay Cash) Layne, Dashawn (Rock) Davis, Jeffrey Brown, Jonathan Hernandez, Habiyb Mohammed, Malik (Zab) Layne, Jahlyl (Lyl) Layne, Afrika Owes, Jazeke (Zeke) Samuels, Pierce Gross, Brandon (Monk) Santiago, Jarel (Rel) Robinson, Tyrone (Tata) Gibbs, and Louis (Lou Money) Williams.

The Rev. Vernon Williams, who has worked for several years to curb gang violence said he was excited to hear that Vance would prosecute the cases.

"I believe that the District Attorney's willingness to have a hands-on approach is refreshing. It's a sign that he wants to uphold law and order," said Williams.

For years, Williams said he felt like no one was listening to the concerns he was raising about the rise in Harlem youth gangs.

"It pays off when you keep banging pots and pans in the forest because it eventually chases the bear away," he said.

He added that the success of the arrests and prosecutions depends on how deep the investigation went into dismantling the gang.

"If they just got the young guns and not the adults who are facilitating this activity, it's not going to do much," he said. "There is no such thing as osmosis when it comes to gangs. There are adults who are facilitating this violence and death in our community."

Many locals say the existence of gangs has become a fact of life in the area.

"You have to walk without fear and mind your own business. The problem is that a bullet has no name," said Marisa Negron, 52, a restaurant manager.


"More needs to be done than just arrests," Negron added. "Right now, these kids don't have good alternatives and outlets."

Monique Caines, 23, an event coordinatoor has lived in the area her entire life and said she's not sure the arrests would make a difference in the long haul.


"The only way this makes a difference is if they keep them in jail for a while and they get all of them. If there are some left on the streets, it's not going to work."

Caines said parental control is the issue.


"It's up to the parents to control their kids. They have to find positive outlets," she said.


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