BROOKLYN, NY – The Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, along with New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, has disclosed the indictment of six individuals associated with a narcotics distribution ring primarily active in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The operation emerged in reaction to numerous grievances from local residents.
Gonzalez expressed gratitude towards the Detective Investigators, the NYPD, and his office’s prosecutors, emphasizing their collective intent to redress the distress caused by the indicted individuals in the community. Meanwhile, Commissioner Caban reiterated the NYPD’s commitment to combating drug trafficking in collaboration with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
Of the accused, Lance Spearman, Herbert Bazemore, and Larry Childress faced charges before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo. The charges include major trafficking, varying degrees of conspiracy, criminal sale and possession of controlled substances. Both Spearman’s and Childress’ bail were set at high amounts, with all three scheduled to appear in court on December 8, 2023.
Three other defendants, Jermalee Reese, Steve Rich, and Travis Davis, will face arraignment at a subsequent time. They have been charged with various counts, including involvement in the earlier-mentioned conspiracy and the sale of controlled substances.
The investigation, spanning from May 2022 to October 3, 2023, identified the 79th Precinct’s vicinity of Putnam Avenue and Nostrand Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant as the main operational area for the narcotics dealers. Throughout the operation, a total of 25 undercover narcotics transactions involving the six defendants were observed.
After pulling over Herbert Bazemore on September 23, 2023, police discovered a significant quantity of heroin in his possession. A subsequent search of his car yielded even larger amounts of the drug and a substantial sum of money.
Following this operation, the Brooklyn DA’s Office is coordinating with community leaders and organizations to offer support and services to those affected by substance abuse, aiming to deter any potential replacements for the indicted traffickers.
