NEW YORK, N.Y. — A Bronx woman and a Queens man have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a murder plot that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Clarisa Burgos, an innocent bystander, during a targeted shooting in Queens last December.
Chelsey Harris, 24, and Karl Smith, 27, admitted to their roles in a scheme to ambush a man known as Victim-1, who had been feuding with a jailed gang member. Harris entered her plea on June 26, and Smith pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Paul E. Engelmayer.
According to federal prosecutors, the murder plot originated with Dajahn McBean, who was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on prior gang-related charges. Using a contraband cellphone, McBean orchestrated the shootings from behind bars, directing Smith and Harris to help lure Victim-1 to various New York City nightclubs where gunmen would be waiting.
On December 24, 2023, gunmen opened fire outside a nightclub in Queens, hitting Victim-1’s vehicle but missing him. Two days later, Victim-1 was shot multiple times outside a second nightclub. While he survived, Clarisa Burgos — seated in his car — was fatally struck.
Smith and Harris both pleaded guilty to stalking resulting in life-threatening injury and death, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Smith also pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years. Harris admitted to aiding and abetting firearm possession, which carries a minimum of five years.
Sentencing is scheduled for Harris on November 6 and for Smith on December 8. Two other defendants in the case are awaiting trial.
The investigation is ongoing and involved the U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force, NYPD, and Homeland Security Investigations’ El Dorado Task Force.
The plot, carried out across multiple boroughs, was directed by a federal inmate using contraband communications to coordinate targeted shootings.
