A 42-year-old Bronx man, Jermaine Greene, who is also a former member of cure violence group, Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.), has been charged in federal court with carrying a loaded ghost gun, cocaine, and a scale at Fordham Road subway station in March of this year, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday, June 5.

 

Norwood News had previously reported how Greene, from the Claremont section of the borough, was the second member of B.R.A.G. to be arrested on drug and gun charges in the last year. B.R.A.G. works with teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 25, mentoring and assisting in their development of conflict resolution skills.

 

As previously reported, Michael Rodriguez, 49, of Yonkers and a former representative for B.R.A.G., was sentenced for drug-related charges in Orange County, as announced by Orange County District Attorney (DA) David M. Hoovler on Thursday, Jan. 4.

 

Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Police Commisioner Edward A. Caban announced the filing of the latest complaint in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, charging Greene with firearms and narcotics offenses in connection with a March 28 incident at Fordham Road subway station, located at Fordham Road and Jerome Avenue in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx. They said Greene was arrested the same day and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron.

 

In the context of the announcement, Williams said, “As alleged, Jermaine Greene brought a loaded gun, a drug stash, and tools of the drug trade into the New York City subway system. I am grateful to the NYPD for its efforts to bring to justice those who endanger their follow passengers and abuse public transportation.”

 

For his part, Caban said, “Policing methods that focus on relatively minor offenses — in this case, fare evasion — often lead police officers to larger alleged crimes that are putting unsuspecting New Yorkers in danger. The NYPD refuses to turn a blind eye to criminal recidivists who allegedly continue to act with impunity, and vows to keep addressing crime and disorder in every form.”

According to the allegations in the complaint, on or about March 28, at around 5.37 p.m., NYPD officers observed Greene entering the Fordham Road subway station without paying a fare and walking upstairs to the southbound subway platform. The officers arrested him after determining he was the subject of open arrest warrants.

 

According to the criminal complaint, the officers asked Greene if he had any weapons or anything that could hurt them. In response, Greene said, in sum and substance, “Yeah.” Greene also said repeatedly, in sum and substance, “I’m dirty.” According to the criminal complaint, at the time Greene made these statements, he had not yet been advised of his Miranda rights.

 

NYPD officers searched Greene during the incident and recovered a privately assembled 9 mm so-called “ghost gun” loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. As previously reported, the individual components of ghost guns can be purchased online and later assembled at home.

 

After transporting Greene to NYPD Transit District 11 for processing, NYPD officers conducted an inventory search on him. From inside a bookbag worn by Greene underneath his jacket, police recovered a plastic bag containing approximately 50 grams of cocaine, a scale, and several empty plastic bags. Police also found a small plastic bag of cocaine in Greene’s pants pocket.

 

Prosecutors said Greene was not permitted to possess ammunition because of prior felony convictions, including a Delaware conviction for second degree murder, for which he was under court supervision at the time of his arrest.

They said Greene is charged with one count of possessing ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, one count of distribution of narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

 

The statutory minimum and maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

 

Williams praised what he described as the outstanding work of the NYPD in connection with the investigation. The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Ross is leading the prosecution.

 

Greene is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

Caban concluded, “I commend the police officers who made this arrest and thank everyone at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York for their continued partnership in our public safety mission.”

 

According to their website, between July 2017 and June 2021, B.R.A.G. responded to 1,035 disputes, organized 10,973 “interruption activities,” and worked through 2,353 “completed mediations.”