Eighth Member of the Brooklyn-Based Hyena Crips Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Crimes, Including Murder

Richler Morette, also known as "Breezy," a member of the Brooklyn-based Hyena Crips gang, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn to racketeering in connection with the murder of a man mistaken to be a rival gang member and conspiracy to murder rival gang members. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. When sentenced, Morette faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Morette is the eighth member of the Hyena Crips to plead guilty to a superseding indictment charging members and associates of the violent street gang with racketeering activity over a decade, including the murders of Samuel Joseph, Leandre Mallinckrodt, and Roodson Polynice. When sentenced, Morette faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI-New York), and Anthony D'Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General (DOL-OIG), announced the guilty pleas.

"The prosecution of these Hyena Crips gang members has dismantled a violent and ruthless gang that terrorized our communities for too long, killing innocent people, robbing local businesses, and stealing the identities of hard-working peoples," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "It is my sincere hope that the guilty pleas represent justice and some measure of closure for the victims and their loved ones."

"With this guilty plea, Richler Morette has acknowledged his link to vicious murders and attempted killings of the innocent public and rival gang members, alike," stated HIS Special Agent in Charge Patel. "As a result of this investigation, eight Hyena Crips gangsters have plead guilty and will face the full force of the law - reflecting the real change that HSI New York, together with the our partners, are endeavoring to make within New York City communities. HSI New York remains committed to restoring safety and peace for all New Yorkers."

"This guilty plea underscores the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General's unwavering commitment to bring to justice those who defrauded the unemployment insurance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic," stated DOL-OIG Inspector General D'Esposito. "We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who engage in the exploitation of governmental programs and the American taxpayer."

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations' Violent Gang Task Force, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General for their outstanding work in this investigation.

As detailed in court filings, the Hyena Crips set of the Crips street gang was a violent criminal organization based in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn that earned money through fraud and robbery. To advance the gang's operations and reputation, members and associates of the Hyena Crips committed murders, robberies, and fraud.

September 3, 2012 Murder of Leandre Mallinckrodt

On September 3, 2012, Rick Jasmin and other members of the Hyena Crips were at the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn when a brawl began. Jasmin fatally stabbed Leandre Mallinckrodt, who had been visiting Brooklyn from out of town, in the neck. Jasmin mistook Mallinckrodt as a rival gang member.

February 22, 2019 Murder of Samuel Joseph

As detailed in court documents, Martial H. Amilcar shot and killed 15-year-old Samuel Joseph on February 22, 2019 in retaliation for an altercation earlier the same day between Amilcar's brother, Martial C. Amilcar, also a Hyena Crips gang member, and Joseph's older brother. Shortly after the altercation, which occurred on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, Martial H. Amilcar contacted other members of the Hyena Crips. Martial H. Amilcar and another co-defendant drove to Samuel Joseph's apartment building and waited outside. As Joseph walked down a staircase towards the building's exit, Martial H. Amilcar walked into the building, pulled out a gun and shot Joseph three times at close range, killing him.

September 2, 2020 Murder of Roodson Polynice

As detailed in court documents, Dave Augustin directed Bradley Augustin, Morette, and other members of the Hyena Crips to retaliate against a rival gang for the non-fatal shootings of two Hyena Crips leaders. On September 2, 2020, Bradley Augustin, Morette, and others shot and killed Roodson Polynice during a drive-by shooting in Brooklyn while Polynice was sitting in his car. Following the murder, Morette responded to group Facebook messages about Polynice's death in which he replied with three laughing-face emojis, before stating, "[d]on't care who got hit" and "pic [sic] a side or get killed with them Hyenalifestyle or no life."

The superseding indictment also charged the members of the gang with other racketeering acts, including agreeing to commit identity fraud in connection with unemployment-fraud insurance and in connection with defrauding the Small Business Administration (SBA); money laundering; robberies; attempted murder; and conspiracy to murder rival gang members.

Seven members of the Hyena Crips previously pleaded guilty. On November 13, 2025, Martial H. Amilcar was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment for racketeering, including predicate acts of the murder of Joseph and the attempted gunpoint robbery of a Brooklyn pharmacy. On November 12, 2025, Martial C. Amilcar was sentenced to 96 months' imprisonment for racketeering in connection with defrauding the SBA and conspiring to murder rival gang members. Five co-defendants-Bradley Augustin, Dave Augustin, Matthew Harris, Rick Jasmin, and Wisny Joseph-are awaiting sentencing.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Devon Lash, Jessica Weigel, and Joshua Dugan are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Elizabeth Reed and Erin Payne.

The Defendant:

RICHLER MORETTE (also known as "Breezy")
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

Previously Convicted Defendants:

MARTIAL C. AMILCAR (also known as "Hype")
Age: 27
Brooklyn, New York

MARTIAL H. AMILCAR (also known as "Drippy")
Age: 28
Brooklyn, New York

BRADLEY AUGUSTIN (also known as "Cradley")
Age: 26
Brooklyn, New York

DAVE AUGUSTIN (also known as "Juice")
Age: 39
Brooklyn, New York

MATTHEW HARRIS (also known as "Kappy")
Age: 26
Brooklyn, New York

RICK JASMIN (also known as "Jab")
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

WISNY JOSEPH (also known as "Weezy")
Age: 34
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-18 (AMD)