Posted on: August 15, 2019 03:00 PM

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Four men busted for dealing stolen motorcycles and narcotics in Queens

Queens Acting District Attorney John M. Ryan, joined by New York City Police Commissioner James P. O?Neill, today announced that four individuals have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy for allegedly selling stolen bikes in Queens County between December 2017 and October 2018. One defendant is additionally charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance for selling cocaine in Queens.

Acting District Attorney Ryan said, ?The arrests are the result of a year-long joint undercover investigation by the New York City Police Department?s Auto Crime Division and this office?s Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau. The defendants charged in this case are alleged to have worked together and separately dealing in motorcycles stolen from the Bronx, Manhattan, New Jersey and California. One of the defendants is also charged with selling 150 grams of cocaine to undercover detectives. Drug dealing and trafficking in stolen goods will not be tolerated in Queens County. This office will continue to work diligentlywith our law enforcement partners to put those who barter in stolen merchandise and deal drugs out of business.?

Police Commissioner O?Neill said, ?Today?s charges show that criminals often believe they can perate in plain sight, with apparent impunity. The NYPD and our law enforcement partners exist to shatter that notion. I commend the Queens District Attorney?s Office and the hardworking members of our NYPD Auto Crime unit for their professionalism and dedication to this investigation - which is now bringing justice to these four individuals.?

The District Attorney?s Office identified the main defendant as Jordan Rhoden, 29, who was apprehended in South Carolina and extradited this week to Queens. The defendant was arraigned late Tuesdaynight before Queens Criminal Court Judge David Kirschner. Rhoden?s next court date is August 19, 2019. If convicted, the defendant faces between eight and 20 years in prison.

According to the charges, the investigation began in Queens with the NYPD?s Auto Crime Division looking into an OfferUp advertisement that listed a Texas motorcycle title for sale. Undercover police contacted the seller, who arranged a meeting at a location in Queens County where defendant Rhoden allegedly sold the advertised Texas motorcycle title. The defendant also told the ?buyer? that he had stolen motorcycles available for sale, which prompted the start of the Operation 8-Ball Riderz investigation. During the course of the investigation, Rhoden allegedly sold motorcycles to undercover detectives on several occasions. The transactions progressed to Rhoden allegedly selling thousands of dollars worth of cocaine to these ?buyers? between December 2017 and October 2018

Also during that time period, said Acting DA Ryan, according to the charges, defendant Rhoden introduced his co-defendants to undercover police. Over the course of the investigation, these three codefendants identified as Ted Bennett, Jason Graham and Devon Henry - acting alone or in concert allegedly sold stolen motorcycles including a BMW S1000R, a Honda CBR, Suzuki GSXR and a YamahaR1.Unbeknownst to the defendants, theyallegedlysold 13 motorcycles to undercover detectives.

These bikes did not have ignition keys or titles. The recovered motorcycles have an estimated value of $70,000. Most of these motorcycles? ignitions were hot-wired in order to start the engines.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Emrah Ates, of the New York City Police Department?s Auto Crime Division, under the direct supervision of Sergeant Greg Vallerugo and Lieutenant Christopher Gately, and under the overall supervision of Deputy Inspector Robert Lapollo and Assistant Chief Christopher McCormack. The Queens District Attorney?s Office also would like to acknowledge the Auto Crime Division?s Detective Thomas Burke and South Carolina?s Perkins County Police Department Fugitive Task Force for their assistance.

Assistant District AttorneyMyongjae M. Yi, a Section Chief, formerlywith the District Attorney?s Office?s Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Gerard A. Brave, Bureau Chief, Catherine C. Kane and Mary M. Lowenburg, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Peter A. Crusco and DeputyExecutive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Wilbert J. LeMelle.

It should be noted that criminal complaints are merely an accusation and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

JORDAN RHODAN, 29, formerly of Far Rockaway, Queens, and currently believed to have been living in South Carolina, is charged with first- and second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy. The defendant was arraigned late Tuesday night before Queens Criminal Court Judge David Kirschner, who reserved bail arguments for August 19, 2019, at the defendant?s next court appearance. If convicted, Rhoden faces between eight and 20 years in prison. His defense attorney is Steven Drummond of Drummond and Squillace PPLC.

DEVON HENRY, 40, of Jamaica, Queens, is charged with multiple counts of third-degree criminal possession ofstolen propertyand conspiracy. The defendant was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Danielle Hartman, who released Henry on his own recognizance. The defendant?s next court date is September 19, 2019. If convicted, Henry faces up to seven years in prison. His defense attorney is Jessica Bettencourt of Legal Aid.

JASON GRAHAM, 26, of Springfield Gardens, Queens, is charged with multiple counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy. The defendant was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Danielle Hartman, who released Graham on his own recognizance. The defendant?s next court date is September 19, 2019. If convicted, Graham faces up to seven years in prison. His defense attorney is Queens Law Associates.

TED BENNETT, 25, of Jamaica, Queens, is charged with multiple counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen propertyand conspiracy. The defendant was arraigned beforeQueens Criminal Court Judge Danielle Hartman, who released the defendant on his own recognizance and ordered him to return to court on September 19, 2019. If convicted, Bennett faces up to seven years in prison. His defense attorney is Donald P. Vernon. (From Queens DA's office)