Gang Member Sentenced To 42 Years For Murder Of 17-year-old And Other Crimes
NEW YORK - James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) and Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Jason Moye, aka “Tall Jay,” was sentenced this afternoon to a term of 444 months in prison, which must run consecutive to a prior prison sentence of five years, for his crimes as a high-ranking member of the “Young Gunnaz” or “YGz” gang, including the December 22, 2011, murder of Taisheem Ferguson, aka “Trey,” 17. Moye was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by United States District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, before whom he previously pleaded guilty.
According to the charging and other documents filed in the case, and statements made during Moye’s guilty plea and sentencing proceedings and other court proceedings in this case:
Moye was a high-ranking member of the Bronx-based street gang known as the YGz. From 2005 to 2016, members and associates of the YGz enriched themselves by committing robberies and by selling drugs, such as crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, and committed numerous acts of violence, including the murder of both rivals and innocent bystanders.
As part of his involvement in the YGz gang, Moye participated in numerous acts of violence in the South Bronx. In particular, on the afternoon of December 22, 2011, Moye ordered a member of the YGz to shoot into a crowd of rival gang members who were approaching them on Morris Avenue near 151st Street in the Bronx. The YGz member fired several gunshots as directed, one of which killed Ferguson. Moye, 29, of the Bronx, is the sixth defendant to be sentenced this year by Judge Caproni for participation in an YGz-related murder.
Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “A few days before Christmas in 2011, in broad daylight on a busy street, Moye ordered a fellow YGz gang member to shoot into a crowd, senselessly killing 17-year-old Taisheem Ferguson. With today’s sentence, Moye has been held to account for this tragic murder and for his other crimes. We hope that today’s sentence brings some consolation and justice to the victims of Moye’s crimes, in particular the family of Taisheem Ferguson. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute gang violence in our community.”
Mr. Kim praised the outstanding work of the Drug Enforcement (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New York City Police Department in the investigation of this case. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their support in this case.
This case is being handled by this Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Samson Enzer, Gina M. Castellano, and Andrew C. Adams are in charge of the prosecution.
