Bronx Gang Member Charged With Murdering 18-Year-Old Jayquan McKenley In Drive-By Shooting Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Date: 19 December 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime

Edward Y. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; William S. Walker, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”); and Jessica Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging PAUL JOHNSON, a/k/a “PJ Glizzy,” with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, and a firearms offense. The charges relate to JOHNSON’s membership in a Bronx-based street gang known as the “Original Goonz,” or “OGz.” As alleged, on February 6, 2022, JOHNSON murdered 18-year-old Jayquan McKenley. JOHNSON, who was in New York City Department of Correction custody, was transferred to federal custody earlier today and made his initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.

Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said: “Jayquan McKenley’s death was senseless.  As alleged, Paul Johnson murdered him as part of a dispute between rival gangs.  We hope that today’s charges bring some measure of comfort to McKenley’s family and make clear that this Office and our law enforcement partners will never stop investigating those who commit violence on our streets.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker said: “Paul Johnson's alleged ruthless murder of Jayquan McKenley sent shockwaves through our Brooklyn neighborhoods and shone a light on the level of senseless violence committed by street gangs in New York City.  Today's indictment is the result of the relentless work and determination of HSI New York's Violent Gang Task Force.  The streets are made safer everyday thanks to the dedication of New York's local, state, and federal law enforcement who work together to obtain justice for victims of violent crime.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court,[1] other court documents, and statements made during court proceedings:

From at least 2019 up to and including December 2024, JOHNSON was a member of the “Original Goonz,” or “OGz” street gang, which is based in the Bronx, New York.  In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members of the OGz engaged in, among other things, narcotics trafficking and other acts of violence, including murder.

On February 6, 2022, JOHNSON and others murdered Jayquan McKenley in a drive-by shooting in Brooklyn, New York. Jayquan McKenley was 18 years old.

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JOHNSON, 23, of the Bronx, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum term of life in prison or death; one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison; and one count of use, carrying, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to run consecutive to any other term imposed and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and NYPD.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick R. Moroney is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.