11 alleged Trinitarios gang members indicted in murders across New Jersey, Bronx and Hudson Valley
Members of the gang are accused of engaging in acts involving murder, assault, robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking and wire fraud.
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Eleven people are facing federal charges in a sweeping gang case tied to the Trinitarios street gang, according to prosecutors.
Officials announced Monday the unsealing of a 15-count indictment charging the defendants with racketeering conspiracy.
Prosecutors say the case centers on the "Bad Boys 7" set of the Trinitarios gang.
“Members of the BB7 criminal organization allegedly carried out a campaign of violence that left victims and families suffering unimaginable loss,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “Today's outcome sends a clear message: This type of violence will never be tolerated in New York. The FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force remains steadfast in our mission to dismantle violent gangs, protect the American public, and deliver justice for the victims.”
Those arrested include:
Cheldrid Sosa, a/k/a “Avipa,” a/k/a “Young Avii”
Erick Placencia, a/k/a “Grefia”
Justin Martita, a/k/a “Mafia”
Michael Mercedes Marte, a/k/a “Sicario,” a/k/a “Sikario,” a/k/a “S30”
Jose Peralta Gomez, a/k/a “JP,” a/k/a “JeyP”
Manuel Abad Rivas, a/k/a “Rubirosa”
Wilfren Carbuccia, a/k/a “Diablon”
Jeilin Portes Guaba, a/k/a “Ganga”
Javier Pena, a/k/a “Lion”
Angel Manon, a/k/a “Jerarka"
Dare Martinez, a/k/a “Mole”
According to the indictment, the organization operated across numerous areas of the tri-state region, including New Jersey, the Bronx and the Hudson Valley.
Federal authorities allege gang members were involved in a range of criminal activities, including murder, assault, robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking and wire fraud.
Among the alleged acts detailed in the indictment is the killing of 33-year-old Ariela Mejia-Polanco, who was found dead on the Cross County Parkway in Westchester County in August 2025.
"As you all know, nearly one year ago, members of a violent criminal gang known as ‘BB7’ murdered a young woman in cold blood on the Cross County Parkway in an attempted carjacking. That woman's name was Ariela Mejia-Polanco and her only crime was driving a luxury car insight of these defendants," said Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace.
Authorities previously identified Mejia-Polanco, known on social media as Ariela La Langosta, as the victim in the case.
"This entire investigation that led to all these indictments actually started with our case, the Aug. 17 homicide. From that point going forward, that's when our investigators began working with our federal, our state and other local law enforcement agencies and started putting the pieces of this together," said Westchester County Police Commissioner Terrance Raynor.
Prosecutors also allege gang members were involved in the March 30, 2024, killing of Frankelis Tavarez in the Bronx.
The indictment further links members to the July 28, 2025, killings of Gabriel Alvarez and Adam Waldropt in the Bronx.
Authorities additionally allege members were responsible for the Aug. 17, 2025, killing of Alvis Perez-Liriano in Newark.
Prosecutors say the crimes were allegedly carried out in furtherance of the gang's operations throughout the region.
The defendants are accused of participating in or associating with the gang as part of the alleged criminal enterprise.
Officials are expected to release additional details during a news conference Monday.
The full indictment can be read here.
