In a notable development from the federal court in Brooklyn, Demetrius Johnson has been found guilty by a jury on multiple counts, which include racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and using a firearm in connection with these offenses. Johnson was associated with the notorious "Bully Gang," a street gang based in Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant area. The conviction follows a two-week trial presided over by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan. Johnson could face a minimum of twenty years and up to life in prison.
The verdict was announced by John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Bryan Miller, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
"Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for teaming up with a dangerous criminal enterprise that—in the defendant’s own words—was known for money and violence," affirmed United States Attorney Durham. He detailed how Johnson, along with other gang members, transported significant quantities of drugs along the East Coast, and resorted to violence when conflicts arose.
ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Miller hailed the convictions as a conclusion of the gang's violent activities, stating, "These convictions put an end to the reign of terror committed by this gang, shattering the myth that criminals can commit atrocious acts without consequence." He applauded the collaborative effort of various law enforcement agencies across state lines.
NYPD Commissioner Tisch echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the investigations and prosecutions demonstrate that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated in the city. "The stakes could not have been higher because these gang members were responsible for an assortment of despicable crimes," she remarked.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed Johnson's active role in the gang's drug trafficking operations, which involved transporting and selling drugs like cocaine base and heroin across New York, New Jersey, and Maine. Johnson even recruited others, including a former associate referred to as "John Doe," to aid in these activities. A dispute over payments led to a violent confrontation in July 2020, where Johnson attempted to kill John Doe at a Brooklyn playground, resulting in injuries to both Doe and a bystander.
This legal action is part of a broader investigation that has seen 53 individuals charged, with 52 having pled guilty or been convicted. The case has been managed by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section, with Assistant United States Attorneys Joy Lurinsky, Victor Zapana, and Michael J. Castiglione leading the prosecution.
Demetrius Johnson, 29, also known as "Q," is from Brooklyn, New York and was tried under the docket number 20-CR-239 (BMC).