A Coram man identified by federal prosecutors as a leader of a Bloods street gang pleaded guilty Friday to racketeering charges tied to a 2020 murder in Baywood, a years-long narcotics conspiracy and a plot to kill rival gang members.
Dwayne Murray, 36, also known as “Wayno,” admitted his role in the June 12, 2020 robbery and killing of Wayne Cherry, who was shot twice, including once in the head, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Murray, a leader in the Almighty Gorilla Stone Nation set of the Bloods street gang, entered his plea in federal court in Central Islip before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione.
When sentenced, Murray faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life.
According to court filings and statements Murray made during his plea proceeding, he participated in the robbery and murder of Cherry in Baywood. Murray also admitted participating in a years-long conspiracy to distribute narcotics and acknowledged trafficking more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Federal prosecutors said Murray also admitted that his role in the gang included a standing order to kill rival members of the organization.
“This defendant, a leader of the Almighty Gorilla Stone Nation gang, has admitted to committing a robbery and murder in 2020, conspiring for years to distribute deadly drugs, and trafficking more than five kilograms of cocaine during his reign of terror in this county,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.
Prosecutors have separately alleged that members of the gang and their co-conspirators operated a multistate firearms trafficking network and committed fraud that resulted in more than $1 million being stolen.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said the guilty plea was part of an ongoing effort by federal and local authorities to dismantle the Bloods gang on Long Island.
The investigation involved the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Suffolk County Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark E. Misorek and Andrew P. Wenzel are prosecuting the case through the Criminal Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Long Island Division.
Murray remains subject to sentencing, where he faces between 10 years and life in federal prison.
