Date: 05-30-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Jean Fremont

Case Number: 20-CR-293

Judge: William F. Kuntz II

Court: The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Kings County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Brooklyn, New York criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Three Shootings in 2020 and Related Firearms Offenses
Gangster Disciple Leader Sentenced to 35 Years In Prison for Three Shootings in 2020 and Related Firearms Offenses

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Jean Fremont, also known as “Juno” and “Bigga Twirl,” was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 35 years in prison for his participation in three shootings occurring on November 7 and 9, 2020, committed by members and associates of the No Love City (NLC) gang, a subset of the Flatbush-based Folk Nation Gangster Disciples gang (GD). Fremont was convicted by a jury in November 2022 on eight counts of a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to murder rival gang members in-aid-of racketeering, two counts of attempted murder in-aid-of racketeering, two counts of assault in-aid-of racketeering, one count of attempted assault in-aid-of racketeering and two counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with multiple shootings in Brooklyn in November 2020.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.

“Fremont will spend decades in prison for attempting to murder individuals for the sole purpose of defending his gang’s reputation,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Incarcerating Fremont and his co-defendants for a long period of time for their ruthless acts of violence and complete disregard for human life will serve to protect the community while sending a message of deterrence to others who foolishly seek status by choosing to join violent gangs.”

Mr. Peace thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office and the New York City Police Department for their assistance in the case.

As proven at trial, Fremont and his co-defendants are all members or associates of NLC. Fremont was also a leader of NLC, having served on its five-member “Steering Committee.” The November 2020 shootings, in which several individuals were injured, were committed on behalf of GD in retaliation for the theft of a gold chain and pendant from Fremont by rival gang members following the filming of a music video in Brooklyn. On November 7, 2020, a chain with a pendant featuring the letters “SPMB” that was closely associated with NLC’s leader was stolen from the defendant by gang rivals. In response, members of NLC retaliated by engaging in a series of shootings in rival gang territory. In the resulting violence, three victims were shot and survived their wounds.

Seven other members and associates of GD that were charged with Fremont have been convicted of crimes including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, assault and firearms-related offenses for their conduct related to the November 2020 shootings. Lorenzo Bailey was sentenced to 34 years’ imprisonment; Quincy Battice was sentenced to 32 years’ imprisonment; Oluwagbenga Agoro was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment; Hans Destine was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment; Deryck Thompson was sentenced to 210 months’ imprisonment; Ricardo Hapburn was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment; and McKoy Lima was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment.

The Government introduced evidence of criminal acts committed by GD members and associates, including drug trafficking, firearms possession, fraud, and trafficking in counterfeit currency and violence, related to their gang membership. Gov't Repl. at 2. This evidence is not only admissible as evidence of the crimes that Defendant is charged with, but also admissible to show the existence and nature of the alleged enterprise and the relationships among the members and associates of GD who are engaged in these activities together. See United States v. Delligatti, No. 15 Cr. 491 (KBF), 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29623, at *20-21 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 23, 2018) (Forrest, J.). Likewise, evidence that Defendants possessed firearms is also relevant to show Defendants had access to firearms and to corroborate the Government's case that Defendants were members and associates of GD, a violent enterprise. These purposes are separate and distinct from evidence that show propensity and character and are also admissible under Rule 404(b). Moreover, any prejudicial effect of this evidence is outweighed by their probative value. The Court thus denies Defendant's motion.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Siegel, Dana Rehnquist and Sophia Suarez are in charge of the prosecution.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 35 years in prison

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Defendant's Experts:

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