Evergreen Reporter

Earlier today, Lameek Everette, a member of the Bloods Street gang, was sentenced to 40 years in prison at the federal courthouse in Central Islip. United States District Court Judge Gary R. Brown delivered the sentence following Everette's conviction for racketeering, which included acts of murder and robbery. These charges were related to his involvement in the murders of David Arzu and Janelle Curella on September 2, 2016, near the Long Island Rail Road train station in Bay Shore, New York.

The sentencing was announced by Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York Field Office; and Robert Waring, Acting Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department.

United States Attorney Peace stated: “What started out as a robbery turned into a double murder with the defendant pulling the trigger over and over to kill his victims simply because they resisted a holdup. Today the defendant faced a reckoning for the devastating harm he has caused.” He added that such violent actions would not go unpunished and expressed hope that this sentence would deter others from joining gangs.

HSI Special Agent Walker commented on Everette’s actions: “Lameek Everette’s blatant disregard for human life was clear not only by the execution of two young victims in cold blood but also by his decision to spend the remainder of his night at a local club.” Walker emphasized HSI’s commitment to preventing future violence alongside law enforcement partners.

FBI Assistant Director Dennehy highlighted Everette's actions as indicative of senseless gang violence: “Lameek Everette personally appraised the lives of two innocent victims to be less than the potential value of their belongings.” He affirmed that today's sentencing reflects FBI's commitment to combat gang threats.

Acting SCPD Commissioner Waring stated: “Gang violence has no place in Suffolk County... I hope today’s sentence brings some sense of closure to the victims’ family.”

The events unfolded when Arzu and Curella were approached by Everette and an accomplice during an attempted robbery. The situation escalated when Arzu resisted and Curella tried to assist him. Both were shot by Everette who later posted images on social media flaunting items taken during these crimes.

Everette's accomplice, Taheem Smith, had previously been sentenced to 27 years for his involvement. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through collaborative efforts among various levels of law enforcement.

Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Misorek and Anthony Bagnuola led this prosecution effort under Docket No. 17-CR-504 (GRB).