United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, and United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York, Ricky J. Patel, announced today the unsealing of a seven-count Indictment charging two individuals, ALEJANDRO COLON, a/k/a “Ale,” and OSCAR OLIVENCIA, a/k/a “Jon-O,” a/k/a “Young O,” with federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, and firearms offenses.  The defendants are charged for their roles in the “A-Town” set of the Trinitarios street gang and associated acts of violence, including a shooting on February 7, 2023, in the Bronx where COLON and OLIVENCIA, acting together, shot at multiple people, resulting in gunshot wounds to two victims.  In a coordinated operation, COLON was arrested last night and OLIVENCIA was arrested this morning.  Both defendants will be presented later this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

“For far too long, the A-town Trinitarios street gang has spread fear and violence throughout the Tremont section in the Bronx. Today, two alleged members, Oscar Olivencia and Alejandro Colon, reign of terror comes to an end” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “The indictment, which charges these two individuals for their alleged role in these shootings, as well as racketeering and other firearm offenses, is the direct result of the relentless work of the DEA New York Enforcement Division, the NYPD’s Bronx Narcotics Major Case Unit, and our law enforcement partners. The DEA remains committed to protecting our communities, reducing gun violence, and enhancing public safety.”

“As alleged, Oscar Olivencia and Alejandro Colon were members of the A-Town Trinitarios who shot at three individuals outside a restaurant in the Bronx, seriously injuring two of them,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Gang violence is a threat to the safety and security of our neighborhoods, and together with our law enforcement partners, the women and men of this Office will continue to work relentlessly to give New Yorkers what they want and deserve: safe neighborhoods free from the terror of gun violence.”

“These alleged members of the ‘A-Town’ Trinitarios crew used gun violence to further their illicit operations, shooting two people and putting many more Tremont residents at risk,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “Today’s indictment underscores the NYPD’s focus on taking down gangs, removing guns, and keeping our communities safe.  I thank our NYPD detectives for their hard work on this case and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for its partnership in holding these criminals accountable.”

“The alleged actions committed by these two brazen defendants endangered our communities and required precision in our law enforcement operations to safely take them off of our streets to face justice,” said U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York, Ricky J. Patel.  “The United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners’ unwavering commitment to ensure neighborhoods are safe made that a reality.”

As alleged in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings:[1]

“A-Town” is a criminal organization based in the Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx and affiliated with the Trinitarios.  Since at least 2018, its members and associates have engaged in narcotics trafficking, the use of firearms, and numerous acts of violence against rival gang members.  A-Town members have also participated in various fraudulent schemes, including stealing checks from mailboxes and altering and cashing them.  

On or about February 7, 2023, COLON and OLIVENCIA confronted an individual (“Victim-1”) outside a Bronx restaurant over money Victim-1 owed OLIVENCIA from the sale of stolen checks.  As the encounter escalated, COLON brandished a firearm, and OLIVENCIA drew his own firearm and fired two shots—one striking a nearby bystander (“Victim-2”) and the other striking Victim-1.  As COLON and OLIVENCIA fled, another individual (“Victim-3”) produced a firearm and fired at them.  COLON returned fire in Victim-3’s direction.

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A chart containing the names, charges, and minimum and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below. 

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.  

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration New York Enforcement Division, the NYPD – Bronx Narcotics Major Case Unit, and thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the NYPD Intelligence Division’s Intelligence Analysis Unit for their assistance.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent Organizations and Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Ly and Dominic A. Gentile are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.