CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that CBL/BFL Gang member Dalvon Curry, 25, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of murder in aid of racketeering; racketeering and narcotics conspiracy; possession of firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence; and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve life in prison plus 25 years by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul C. Parisi and Seth T. Molisani, and Christopher O. Taylor, of the Department of Justice Organized Crime and Gang Section, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that the defendant was a member of the CBL/BFL Gang which stands for, among other things, “Cash Been Long” and “Brothers for Life.” Identified as a “shooter” in the gang, Curry shot and killed rival gang member Jaquan Sullivan on December 5, 2015. He also shot and killed Xavier Wimes on January 1, 2017.
The gang was formed around 2009 and operated primarily in the City of Buffalo at the Towne Gardens Housing Complex, which served as a central hub for the gang. Many members lived within the housing complex, and many housing units were used to store firearms and narcotics. Members utilized parking lots and a retail plaza adjacent to the Towne Gardens to distribute narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and other controlled substances.
The gang used violence, including murder and attempted murder, threats, and intimidation to defend their territory against rivals and anyone deemed to be a threat. Any attack on a member of their gang typically resulted in retaliation by all. Members and associates also used social media, such as Facebook and Snapchat, to display gang affiliation, brandish firearms, display quantities of currency and narcotics, and show participation in violent acts. They also produced, sang, and appeared in music videos at locations in and around the gang’s territory that promoted the enterprise and its activities.
CBL/BFL gang members also threatened witnesses who they suspected might testify or provide information to law enforcement about the crimes committed by the gang.
Twelve other CBL/BFL Gang members and associates were previously convicted and sentenced. They include:
• Shawn Woods, a/k/a Pif;
• Michael Walker, a/k/a Yam;
• Mikel Lowe, a/k/a L-O;
• Aaron Mack, a/k/a Dean, a/k/a Deano;
• Shameris Washington, a/k/a GB;
• Maurice Rice, a/k/a Reese;
• Miquise Jones, a/k/a Scaife;
• Dajon Nettles, a/k/a Gucc;
• Larell Watkins, a/k/a 90-Ls;
• Larry Watkins, Jr.;
• Larquon Watkins, a/k/a 90; and
• Rashad Rose, a/k/a Gotti.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Keith Kruskall, New York Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Packard; the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina; and the Erie Crime Analysis Center. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn.
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