A Bronx man was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison in connection with his leadership of the Black Stone Gorilla Gang (BSGG), a violent street gang that operated in New York City and elsewhere, and his participation in narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses.
On May 26, Michael Delaguila, 30, pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy and a firearms offense.
“Michael Delaguila was one of the Godfathers of a notoriously violent and lawless gang that terrorized communities across New York City and elsewhere,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “Delaguila recruited other individuals into the gang and authorized acts of violence and drug trafficking in New York City for years. Today’s lengthy sentence sends an important message to gang members who commit crimes that they will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to the investigation, Delaguila a.k.a “Grizz,” was previously one of the godfathers of the Black Stone Gorilla Gang, a racketeering enterprise that operated principally in the New York City metropolitan area and in the jails and prisons of New York City and the state of New York.
In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, BSGG members and associates committed, conspired, attempted and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder and assaults; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; committed robberies; engaged in bank fraud and wire fraud; and obtained, possessed and used firearms.
BSGG members also evaded prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by the gang. Delaguila accepted responsibility for participating in a conspiracy to distribute quantities of cocaine, heroin and cocaine base, and for using and carrying firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
