United States of America v. Ariel Acosta, a/k/a "A-Loe," a/k/a "blue," ak/ka/ "True Blue"

Case Number: 1:17-cr-00487-KMW

Judge: Victor Marerro

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (New York County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Drew Skinner and Anden Chow

Defendant's Attorney: Richard Harris Rosenberg and Clara Sophia Kalhous

Description: New York, NY - Man Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To More Than 13 Years In Prison For Illegally Trafficking Assault Rifles And Other Firearms, As Well As Narcotics

ARIEL ACOSTA, a/k/a “A-Loc,” a/k/a “Blue,” a/k/a “True Blue,” was sentenced today to 160 months in prison for firearms and narcotics trafficking. ACOSTA and his co-conspirators sold seven guns, including an AK-47 assault rifle and a SKS assault rifle, a silencer, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest to undercover officers. ACOSTA pled guilty in Manhattan federal court in April 2018 to one count of conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and one count of unlicensed firearms dealing. United States District Judge Kimba M. Wood imposed today’s sentence.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Ariel Acosta sought to put illegal guns and drugs on the streets of New York City. For his crimes he will serve over 13 years in prison. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who would put the people of our city in danger.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made in related court filings and proceedings:

From at least 2016 to August 2017, ACOSTA and other members of a drug trafficking organization sold narcotics near Hughes Avenue and East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx, New York (the “Hughes Avenue DTO”). ACOSTA personally sold crack cocaine to undercover officers on several occasions. Members of the Hughes Avenue DTO are also members and associates of the “Rolling 30s” neighborhood set of the nationwide Crips street gang.

From about October 2016 to May 2017, ACOSTA and two other men, who were both members of the Hughes Avenue DTO, sold firearms to undercover officers. Over the course of six sales, undercover officers purchased seven firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, a SKS assault rifle, a shotgun, and several handguns. One of the firearms ACOSTA sold had a defaced serial number. ACOSTA and his co-conspirators also sold a silencer for a gun, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest to the undercover officers.

* * *

In addition to the prison term, ACOSTA, 24, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to four years of supervised release. Of the nine members of the Hughes Avenue Crew charged in this case, eight have pled guilty. Charges against one defendant are currently pending before United States District Judge Victor Marerro.

Mr. Berman praised the work of the New York City Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in this investigation.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.

Charge:

21:846=CD.F CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
(1)
18:922A.F IMPORTING/MANUFACTURING FIREARMS (UNLICENSED FIREARMS DEALING)
(2)
18:922G.F UNLAWFUL TRANSPORT OF FIREARMS, ETC. (FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM)
(3-4)

Outcome: Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Kimba M. Wood: Sentencing held on 11/13/2018 for Ariel Acosta (1) Count 1,2. Defendant Ariel Acosta is present with his attorney Richard Rosenberg. AUSA Drew Skinner is present. Court reporter Pam Utter is present. The defendant is sentenced to 160 months on Count 1, and 60 months on Count 2, to run concurrently. The Court imposes 4 years on Count 1 and 3 years on Count 2, to run concurrently. No fine is imposed. The special assessment of $200 is due immediately. The standard and mandatory conditions of supervised release will apply, along with the following special conditions: You must submit your person, residence, place of business, vehicle, and any property, computers (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1030(e) (1)), electronic communications, data storage devices and/or other media under your control to a search on the basis that the probation officer has reasonable suspicion that contraband or evidence of a violation of the conditions of your probation/supervised release may be found. The search must be conducted at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. Failure to submit to a search may be grounds for revocation. You must inform any other residents that the premises may be subject to search pursuant to this condition. You will participate in an outpatient treatment program approved by the United States Probation Office, which program may include testing to determine whether you have reverted to using drugs or alcohol. You must contribute to the cost of services rendered based on your ability to pay and the availability of third-party payments. The Court authorizes the release of available drug treatment evaluations and reports, including the presentence investigation report, to the substance abuse treatment provider. If you are sentenced to any period of supervision, it is recommended that you be supervised by the district of residence. The Court recommends to the Bureau of Prisons that the defendant be incarcerated as close to New York City as possible. The Court also recommends that the defendant receive emotional and psychological evaluations, and be allowed to participate in the RDAP program. The Court will not file the Judgment until after the defendant's 25th birthday on December 27, 2018. All open counts are dismissed on the motion of the Government. The defendant's appeal rights are read. The defendant is remanded. (jbo) (Entered: 11/13/2018)

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