Bronx Man Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison For Murder Of Innocent Bystander
Richard Feliz, a member of the Rollin’ 30s Crips gang, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for murdering innocent bystander Victor Chafla with a gunshot intended for a rival gang member during a 2015 Bronx shooting, after pleading guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses tied to his gang’s racketeering activities.
Richard Feliz was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the March 26, 2015, murder of Victor Chafla, an innocent bystander shot in the head while working outside a Bronx grocery store during a gang-related shooting targeting a rival. Feliz, a member of the Rollin’ 30s Crips, pled guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses as part of a broader racketeering conspiracy involving violence and drug trafficking between 2013 and 2017. In addition to the prison term, he received three years of supervised release, with the case prosecuted by the Southern District of New York’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit and supported by HSI and the NYPD.
Richard Feliz, a/k/a 'Dirt,' was sentenced to 27 years in prison on August 16, 2019, for the murder of Victor Chafla, an innocent bystander fatally shot in the head on March 26, 2015, while working outside a Bronx grocery store. Feliz, a member of the Rollin’ 30s Crips gang, fired at a rival gang member during a dispute but struck Chafla instead, leading to his death days later. Between 2013 and 2017, Feliz participated in a racketeering enterprise that engaged in narcotics distribution and violent crimes to fund and protect its operations. He pled guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses in connection with this broader criminal activity, with the murder serving as the central aggravating factor in his sentencing. In addition to the prison term, Feliz was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit, with critical investigative support from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New York City Police Department. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman emphasized the senselessness of the crime and extended condolences to Chafla’s family.
Extracted insights
- person Geoffrey S. Berman
- person richard feliz
- person victor chafla
- Geoffrey S. Berman Announced RICHARD FELIZ was sentenced to 27 years in prison for murdering Victor Chafla, an innocent bystander, while shooting at a rival gang member
- RICHARD FELIZ Was sentenced to 27 years in prison for murdering Victor Chafla, an innocent bystander, while shooting at a rival gang member
- RICHARD FELIZ Shot at a rival gang member
- RICHARD FELIZ Struck Victor Chafla in the head
- Victor Chafla Died from his wounds a few days later
- RICHARD FELIZ Was a member of a racketeering enterprise known as the “Rollin’ 30s Crips,” a street gang that operated in the Bronx, among other places
- Rollin’ 30s Crips Committed acts of violence, including murder and robbery
- Rollin’ 30s Crips Conspired to distribute narcotics
- RICHARD FELIZ Pled guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses
- Geoffrey S. Berman Praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department
- The case Is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit
- Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Fender, Anden Chow, and Jacqueline Kelly Are in charge of the prosecution
Press Release Bronx Man Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison For Murder Of Innocent Bystander Thursday, August 22, 2019 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RICHARD FELIZ, a/k/a “Dirt,” was sentenced to 27 years in prison for murdering Victor Chafla, an innocent bystander, while shooting at a rival gang member. FELIZ was sentenced on August 16, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, before whom FELIZ previously pled guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “On March 26, 2015, Victor Chafla was stocking produce outside a grocery store when he was shot in the head, an innocent bystander struck down by senseless gang violence. For committing this terrible murder, Richard Feliz will now serve 27 years in prison. We thank our partners at HSI and the NYPD for their outstanding work pursuing justice for Mr. Chafla. Our hearts go out to Mr. Chafla’s family for their terrible loss.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made in related court filings and proceedings: Between 2013 and 2017, FELIZ was a member of a racketeering enterprise known as the “Rollin’ 30s Crips,” a street gang that operated in the Bronx, among other places. In order to fund the enterprise, protect and expand its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Rollin’ 30s Crips committed, conspired, attempted, and threated to commit acts of violence, including murder and robbery, and conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics. On March 26, 2015, during a dispute with a member of a rival gang, FELIZ shot at that rival, but instead struck Victor Chafla in the head, while Chafla was working outside at a grocery store. Chafla died from his wounds a few days later. * * * In addition to the prison term, FELIZ, 23, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Fender, Anden Chow, and Jacqueline Kelly are in charge of the prosecution. Updated August 22, 2019 Topic Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 19-272
Press Release Bronx Man Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison For Murder Of Innocent Bystander Thursday, August 22, 2019 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RICHARD FELIZ, a/k/a “Dirt,” was sentenced to 27 years in prison for murdering Victor Chafla, an innocent bystander, while shooting at a rival gang member. FELIZ was sentenced on August 16, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, before whom FELIZ previously pled guilty to narcotics and firearms offenses. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “On March 26, 2015, Victor Chafla was stocking produce outside a grocery store when he was shot in the head, an innocent bystander struck down by senseless gang violence. For committing this terrible murder, Richard Feliz will now serve 27 years in prison. We thank our partners at HSI and the NYPD for their outstanding work pursuing justice for Mr. Chafla. Our hearts go out to Mr. Chafla’s family for their terrible loss.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made in related court filings and proceedings: Between 2013 and 2017, FELIZ was a member of a racketeering enterprise known as the “Rollin’ 30s Crips,” a street gang that operated in the Bronx, among other places. In order to fund the enterprise, protect and expand its interests, and promote its standing, members and associates of the Rollin’ 30s Crips committed, conspired, attempted, and threated to commit acts of violence, including murder and robbery, and conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics. On March 26, 2015, during a dispute with a member of a rival gang, FELIZ shot at that rival, but instead struck Victor Chafla in the head, while Chafla was working outside at a grocery store. Chafla died from his wounds a few days later. * * * In addition to the prison term, FELIZ, 23, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Fender, Anden Chow, and Jacqueline Kelly are in charge of the prosecution. Updated August 22, 2019 Topic Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 19-272