Elijah Bermudez, also known as "Quiet," has been sentenced to 34 years in prison for his involvement in criminal activities with the gang Bully Hard Hunna Blood. U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román handed down the sentence, which includes charges of racketeering and firearms offenses. Bermudez's actions on June 20, 2020, resulted in the stabbing of one teenager and the fatal shooting of 16-year-old bystander Frederick Wells.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated: "Elijah Bermudez murdered Frederick Wells, an innocent 16-year-old bystander who spent his last moments running for his life, trying to escape Bermudez’s gunfire." He emphasized that Wells lost his life simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The incident stemmed from a dispute between Bully Hard members and a rival gang known as Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation. This conflict led to further violence, including the murder of another minor victim three months later. The leader of Gorilla Stone, Brandon Soto, was previously sentenced to 35 years for planning this retaliatory act.
Bermudez pleaded guilty on July 9, 2024. His involvement with Bully Hard extended from early 2020 until April 2022 and included various criminal activities such as murder, robbery, narcotics trafficking, and fraud across New York City and Upstate New York.
In addition to his prison term, Bermudez will serve three years of supervised release following his conviction on charges related to racketeering conspiracy and possession of ammunition as a felon.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force played a crucial role in the investigation. The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department and Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David R. Felton, Courtney L. Heavey, Shiva H. Logarajah, and Kevin T. Sullivan are managing the prosecution under the Office’s White Plains Division.