Federal Law Enforcement Dismantles Brooklyn Gun Trafficking Ring

Press Release

Defendants Sold Dozens of Semi-Automatic and Defaced Guns Midday in a Drive-Through Restaurant's Parking Lot

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, a six-count indictment was unsealed charging Yashiya Louisdor, Zaire Alman, Marques Seals and a fourth defendant with conspiring to illegally traffic more than 40 firearms in three months. Louisdor, Alman and Seals were arrested yesterday and are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon. The fourth defendant is still at large. During the arrests 33 guns, including several rifles and shotguns, were recovered.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan Miller, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.

"As alleged, in just three short months the defendants attempted to bring over 40 guns into our community to sell them on our streets, including selling near an elementary school," stated U.S. Attorney Peace. "Thanks to our Office and our law enforcement partners, this gun trafficking ring has been dismantled and we hope this sends a message to all who seek to profit from the illegal gun trade that we will not stop in our efforts to keep our community safe."

"This indictment highlights NYPD investigators' ongoing intelligence-driven efforts to pinpoint, arrest, and hold accountable gun traffickers," stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. "Allegedly selling these illegal firearms in broad daylight, close to a school, makes these charges especially disturbing. Along with our partners at the ATF and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the NYPD vows to remain relentless in our quest to eradicate gun violence in all New York City neighborhoods."

According to the indictment and other court documents, the defendants made multiple sales of at least 40 illegal firearms, including semi-automatic and defaced weapons, between February 2024 and April 2024. The defendants conducted many of these firearms sales in a vehicle in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, which was at a busy intersection and mere blocks away from an elementary school and a sports venue and concert arena. The defendants also conducted these firearm sales in a vehicle near a public transportation hub in Manhattan. Three members of the gun-trafficking operation obtained the firearms in Georgia and then transported them to New York to be sold on the streets of Brooklyn. The firearms deals often occurred in the middle of the afternoon and in broad daylight. Some of the firearms had defaced serial numbers. <_w3a_sdtpr>

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Katherine P. Onyshko is in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Peiyuan Lo.

The <_w3a_sdt docpart="7FCA48B0D8AF47FEB74E1A1A292ECB1B" dropdown="t" id="1174685880"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="Defendant" listvalue="Defendant"> <_w3a_listitem datavalue="Defendants" listvalue="Defendants"> Defendants:

<_w3a_sdt docpart="7F4365E5D325471DA4579278FF8BA528" id="1784385695" sdttag="DEFENDANT FULL NAME" storeitemid="X_8B112974-9FC2-4380-8085-BFDE5C573184" text="t" title="DEFENDANT FULL NAME" xpath="/ns0:USAO_CC_Map[1]/ns0:DEFENDANT_FULL_NAME[1]">YASHIYA LOUISDOR
Age: 23<_w3a_sdt docpart="B2618ACEC76842AF8262AFDB1F57825E" id="-225534894"><_w3a_sdt docpart="B2618ACEC76842AF8262AFDB1F57825E">
Brooklyn, <_w3a_sdt docpart="6D3C3B3602B04953B83654F19FE8F63B" id="1586800551">New York

<_w3a_sdt docpart="9CBE8CE3AB3D4F3083F18B3375E2B346" id="748930865">ZAIRE ALMAN
Age: 23<_w3a_sdt docpart="5B2930AAE8CB492CBF112426B509124D" id="302354692">
Douglasville, Georgia

<_w3a_sdt docpart="0F0C7A3A433E4D3F925086C18556CDDC" id="386064911">MARQUES SEALS
Age: 23<_w3a_sdt docpart="F3B2F42B287A4520A6795FD73C3F77BC" id="-1664153458">
Douglasville, Georgia

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. <_w3a_sdt docpart="6AC5B48D6FB148269BC13AED3E40FD56" id="-1950002052">24-CR-187

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Updated May 10, 2024