Indictment charges several suspects for gang-related violence in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, CT (WFSB) - An indictment was unsealed on Monday that charged several people in connection with gang-related violence in New Haven.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, and representatives from the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department scheduled a news conference in New Haven at 11 a.m.

They announced the unsealing of an indictment that charges several individuals who were alleged to be responsible for numerous acts of gang-related violence in New Haven since 2018.

Federal officials said six alleged gang members and associates of the “Exit 8″ street gang were charged.

The gang members were charged for several crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, and attempted murder, officials said.

Jaedyn Rivera, “Jae Honcho,” 22, Tyjon Preston, “TJ,” 20, Samuel Douglas, “Blamm,” 24, Quaymar Suggs, 19, Kiveon Hyman, “Tiny,” 25, and Donell Allick, Jr., “D-Nice,” 24, were charged in the investigation.

Authorities said the indictment was unsealed after Hyman and Suggs were arrested on March 24.

“Preston has been detained in state custody since May 22, 2021, and Rivera, Douglas, and Allick have been detained in federal custody on previous charges,” officials said.

Several agencies worked together to address violence in New Haven, officials said. An ongoing war between the Exit 8 gang and rival gangs in the Hill section of New Haven was being investigated.

“The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven,” authorities said.

According to the indictment, the Exit 8 gang members committed at least two murders and 10 attempted murders since June 2018.

“Exit 8 members promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube,” officials said.

According to officials, each defendant was charged with racketeering conspiracy.

“If convicted of this charge, Suggs and Allick face a maximum term of imprisonment of 60 years, and Rivera, Preston, Douglas and Hyman face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years,” officials said.

For more information on the indictment, including more charges for the defendants, click here.