Earlier today, a federal court in Central Islip unsealed a 12-count superseding indictment against Bloods gang member Joshua Crowell, known as "Twiggy," and associate Bruce King, known as "Brucey." The charges include assault in aid of racketeering and distributing fentanyl resulting in death. These crimes were committed in Suffolk County between 2021 and 2024. Both individuals were arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst and detained pending trial.
The announcement was made by John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Raymond A. Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney; Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York; and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD).
“The charges in the superseding indictment highlight the extreme danger that violent gangs like the Bloods pose to the people of Long Island,” stated United States Attorney Durham. He emphasized the commitment to dismantling street gangs with no regard for human life.
District Attorney Tierney noted that “these alleged gang members represent a grave threat to the safety and stability of our community.” He highlighted their willingness to commit acts of violence and distribute lethal drugs like fentanyl.
Michael Alfonso commended law enforcement partners for their efforts to make communities safer by targeting violent gangs: “As alleged, the defendants had blatant disregard for human life through their brazen violence and deadly distribution of fentanyl.”
Commissioner Catalina described Crowell and King as having been "a scourge on our community" due to their activities related to drug distribution and gang-related shootings. He affirmed continued collaboration with partner agencies to ensure public safety.
According to court documents, Crowell and King engaged in multiple violent acts on behalf of the Bloods. One incident involved a March 2, 2021 shooting at a party hosted by rival gang members in Southampton, where they used an AK-47 style rifle among other weapons.
Crowell also operated a long-standing drug trafficking network selling fentanyl that led to severe injuries or deaths from overdoses between May 2022 and June 2023.
If convicted, both Crowell and King face up to life imprisonment. The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks through collaborative efforts across various law enforcement agencies.
Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley T. King, James R. Simmons, along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Donald N. Barclay are leading this case from the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.
Joshua Crowell is aged 31 while Bruce King is aged 26; both reside in Huntington, New York.