Eighth Member of the Brooklyn-Based Hyena Crips Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Crimes, Including Murder

Summary

Press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, dated January 15, 2026. Richler Morette, a member of the Brooklyn-based Hyena Crips gang, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to racketeering in connection with the murder of a man mistaken to be a rival gang member and conspiracy to murder rival gang members. Morette is the eighth member of the Hyena Crips to plead guilty to a superseding indictment charging racketeering activity over a decade, and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The release says the indictment also charged racketeering acts including agreeing to commit identity fraud in connection with unemployment-fraud insurance and in connection with defrauding the Small Business Administration.

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PRESS RELEASE


Eighth Member of the Brooklyn-Based
Hyena Crips Gang Pleads Guilty to
Racketeering Crimes, Including Murder
Thursday, January 15, 2026

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York

Defendant Responded to Group Facebook Messages About Drive-By Murder with
Laughing Face Emojis and “Don’t Care Who Got Hit”

Richler Morette, also known as “Breezy,” a member of the Brooklyn-based Hyena Crips
gang, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn to racketeering in connection
with the murder of a man mistaken to be a rival gang member and conspiracy to
murder rival gang members. The proceeding was held before United States District
Judge Ann M. Donnelly. When sentenced, Morette faces a maximum sentence of life in
prison. Morette is the eighth member of the Hyena Crips to plead guilty to a
superseding indictment charging members and associates of the violent street gang
with racketeering activity over a decade, including the murders of Samuel Joseph,
Leandre Mallinckrodt, and Roodson Polynice. When sentenced, Morette faces a
maximum sentence of life in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ricky J.
Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI-New
York), and Anthony D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of
the Inspector General (DOL-OIG), announced the guilty pleas.

“The prosecution of these Hyena Crips gang members has dismantled a violent and
ruthless gang that terrorized our communities for too long, killing innocent people,
robbing local businesses, and stealing the identities of hard-working peoples,” stated
United States Attorney Nocella. “It is my sincere hope that the guilty pleas represent
justice and some measure of closure for the victims and their loved ones.”

"With this guilty plea, Richler Morette has acknowledged his link to vicious murders and
attempted killings of the innocent public and rival gang members, alike,” stated HIS
Special Agent in Charge Patel. “As a result of this investigation, eight Hyena Crips
gangsters have plead guilty and will face the full force of the law — reflecting the real
change that HSI New York, together with the our partners, are endeavoring to make
within New York City communities. HSI New York remains committed to restoring
safety and peace for all New Yorkers.”

"This guilty plea underscores the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General's
unwavering commitment to bring to justice those who defrauded the unemployment
insurance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated DOL-OIG Inspector General
D’Esposito. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to
pursue those who engage in the exploitation of governmental programs and the
American taxpayer.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Department of Homeland Security,
Homeland Security Investigations’ Violent Gang Task Force, the New York City Police
Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General for their
outstanding work in this investigation.

As detailed in court filings, the Hyena Crips set of the Crips street gang was a violent
criminal organization based in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn that earned
money through fraud and robbery. To advance the gang’s operations and reputation,
members and associates of the Hyena Crips committed murders, robberies, and fraud.

September 3, 2012 Murder of Leandre Mallinckrodt

On September 3, 2012, Rick Jasmin and other members of the Hyena Crips were at the
West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn when a brawl began. Jasmin fatally stabbed
Leandre Mallinckrodt, who had been visiting Brooklyn from out of town, in the
neck. Jasmin mistook Mallinckrodt as a rival gang member.

February 22, 2019 Murder of Samuel Joseph

As detailed in court documents, Martial H. Amilcar shot and killed 15-year-old Samuel
Joseph on February 22, 2019 in retaliation for an altercation earlier the same day
between Amilcar’s brother, Martial C. Amilcar, also a Hyena Crips gang member, and
Joseph’s older brother. Shortly after the altercation, which occurred on Flatbush Avenue
in Brooklyn, Martial H. Amilcar contacted other members of the Hyena Crips. Martial H.
Amilcar and another co-defendant drove to Samuel Joseph’s apartment building and
waited outside. As Joseph walked down a staircase towards the building’s exit, Martial
H. Amilcar walked into the building, pulled out a gun and shot Joseph three times at
close range, killing him.
September 2, 2020 Murder of Roodson Polynice

As detailed in court documents, Dave Augustin directed Bradley Augustin, Morette, and
other members of the Hyena Crips to retaliate against a rival gang for the non-fatal
shootings of two Hyena Crips leaders. On September 2, 2020, Bradley Augustin,
Morette, and others shot and killed Roodson Polynice during a drive-by shooting in
Brooklyn while Polynice was sitting in his car. Following the murder, Morette responded
to group Facebook messages about Polynice’s death in which he replied with three
laughing-face emojis, before stating, “[d]on’t care who got hit” and “pic [sic] a side or
get killed with them Hyenalifestyle or no life.”

The superseding indictment also charged the members of the gang with other
racketeering acts, including agreeing to commit identity fraud in connection with
unemployment-fraud insurance and in connection with defrauding the Small Business
Administration (SBA); money laundering; robberies; attempted murder; and conspiracy
to murder rival gang members.

Seven members of the Hyena Crips previously pleaded guilty. On November 13, 2025,
Martial H. Amilcar was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for racketeering, including
predicate acts of the murder of Joseph and the attempted gunpoint robbery of a
Brooklyn pharmacy. On November 12, 2025, Martial C. Amilcar was sentenced to 96
months’ imprisonment for racketeering in connection with defrauding the SBA and
conspiring to murder rival gang members. Five co-defendants—Bradley Augustin, Dave
Augustin, Matthew Harris, Rick Jasmin, and Wisny Joseph—are awaiting sentencing.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs
Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Devon Lash, Jessica Weigel, and Joshua
Dugan are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists
Elizabeth Reed and Erin Payne.

The Defendant:

RICHLER MORETTE (also known as “Breezy”)
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

Previously Convicted Defendants:

MARTIAL C. AMILCAR (also known as “Hype”)
Age: 27
Brooklyn, New York
MARTIAL H. AMILCAR (also known as “Drippy”)
Age: 28
Brooklyn, New York

BRADLEY AUGUSTIN (also known as “Cradley”)
Age: 26
Brooklyn, New York

DAVE AUGUSTIN (also known as “Juice”)
Age: 39
Brooklyn, New York

MATTHEW HARRIS (also known as “Kappy”)
Age: 26
Brooklyn, New York

RICK JASMIN (also known as “Jab”)
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

WISNY JOSEPH (also known as “Weezy”)
Age: 34
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-18 (AMD)

Contact
John Marzulli
Denise Taylor
United States Attorney’s Office
(718) 254-6323

Updated January 15, 2026


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