Earlier today, Semaj Smith, also known as “Bam Bam” and “Real Ryte Sport,” a member of the Brooklyn-based street gang Real Ryte, pleaded guilty at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn to racketeering conspiracy and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Smith’s guilty plea was preceded by those of co-defendants Dajahn McBean, also known as “Jeezy Mula,” who is the leader of Real Ryte, and Real Ryte member Mark Waiters, also known as “Telly.” The three defendants pleaded guilty in connection with a superseding indictment stemming from Real Ryte’s gang war with the Breadgang crew of the 5-9 Brims, a subset of the Bloods, including a shooting in which Real Ryte members and an associate wounded an innocent bystander they mistook for a member of the rival crew.
Today’s proceeding took place before United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez. When sentenced, Smith and Waiters each face up to life in prison, and McBean faces up to 20 years in prison.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the guilty pleas.
“The defendants admitted that Real Ryte carried out violent crimes and committed acts of fraud, leaving some victims destitute and others shot.” stated United States Attorney Peace. “These types of organized criminal groups inflict grievous harm on their communities and will not be tolerated.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department for outstanding work and assistance in this investigation.
According to court filings and facts presented during the plea proceedings, between 2015 and 2018, Real Ryte was a violent street gang that operated in Brooklyn. Real Ryte members committed acts of violence, including murder and assault, and also engaged in bank fraud and wire fraud while committing other serious crimes.”
During the charged period, Real Ryte was engaged in a violent conflict with members of a rival crew known as the “Breadgang,” whose members also operated in Brooklyn. The gang war led to a series of shootings between Real Ryte and Breadgang, including the murder of Sean Peart, a Real Ryte member, a crime for which Marvin Pippins, a Breadgang member, was convicted following trial in the Eastern District of New York. Following Peart’s death, the defendants and other members of Real Ryte sought to retaliate against Pippins and other Breadgang members. On January 3, 2017, the defendants learned that a Breadgang member could be found in lower Manhattan, and, at McBean’s direction, Smith, Waiters and a co-conspirator traveled there to shoot and kill him. However, the defendants mistakenly shot an innocent person they mistook for their intended target, seriously injuring the victim before fleeing.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States
The
DAJAHN MCBEAN (also known as “Jeezy Mula”)
Age: 28
Brooklyn, New York
SEMAJ SMITH (also known as “Bam Bam” and “Real Ryte Sport”)
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York
MARK WAITERS (also known as “Telly”)
Age: 26
Brooklyn, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No.