The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle R. Sassoon, has announced the sentencing of Yaurel Centeno, also known as "Flex," marking the conclusion of a significant case involving 11 members of the Bronx-based street gang "WashSide." Centeno received a 24-year prison sentence for his involvement in crimes associated with WashSide, including the murder of Tyrone Almodovar on June 26, 2020, and a pawnshop robbery on June 27, 2020. His criminal activities extended across more than ten states during a spree in 2020.
U.S. Attorney Sassoon stated: “The WashSide gang terrorized neighborhoods in the Bronx and beyond by killing, shooting, slashing, and robbing people. Together with our law enforcement partners, we have now held WashSide’s members accountable not only for the murder of Tyrone Almodovar, a senseless killing but for countless other crimes committed by the gang all across the country. We will not let violent gangs continue to endanger the welfare of New Yorkers.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2015 to 2022, WashSide engaged in various criminal activities such as armed robberies, carjackings, drug trafficking, wire fraud, and acts of violence including murder and assault. The gang operated both within New York City and across multiple states.
Several notable incidents were detailed: On June 26, 2020, after a car chase involving Boss Terrell ("Sauce"), Centeno participated in the shooting death of Tyrone Almodovar. The following day saw Centeno involved in an armed robbery at a pawnshop where victims were threatened with firearms. Other incidents included shootings targeting rival gangs and innocent bystanders.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney L. Heavey and Thomas John Wright from the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. The efforts of law enforcement agencies like the New York City Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration were acknowledged for their role in dismantling this criminal enterprise.