Red Hook drug sweep nets ‘drug-dealing dozen’
The takedown marks the conclusion of a joint long-term investigation conducted by the NYPD’s Brooklyn South Narcotics Major Case Unit and his office’s Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau that was initiated in direct response to community requests for assistance.
During the course of the six-month investigation, titled “Operation Red Dawn,” defendants Rodney Brown, Jurmain Cecilia, Lydia Livingston, Rashime DeVaughn, Jenine Tunstall and Karen Vaughn allegedly sold cocaine, heroin and marijuana out of several project apartments.
Execution of four search warrants today in targeted locations resulted in the seizure of substantial quantities of cocaine, heroin and marijuana, according to police, and resulted in the arrests of Clarence Gilliam, Sonae Ketter, Jeanette Mays, Jonathan Morris, Michael Singletary and Calvin Williams on possession charges.
The six dealers face charges of conspiracy in the fourth degree and related offenses.
“When recent organized drug activity in the Red Hook housing developments created a risk to all that had been accomplished [with the Red Hook Community Justice Center and related efforts], my office and the NYPD quickly mobilized to address the situation,” said District Attorney Charles J. Hynes.
“With this drug dealing dozen behind bars, Red Hook Houses is cleaner and safer today,” said NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
The case was investigated by Detective Robert Negron and Lt. Kevin Carlton. Assistant District Attorneys Timothy Gearon and Tara Lenich are prosecuting the case for the Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau. Marc J. Fliedner is the chief of the Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau.