Posted on: July 21, 2025 08:24 AM

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Ten suffolk county residents indicted in cocaine trafficking ring

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, together with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, announced the indictment of 10 individuals for allegedly operating an extensive cocaine trafficking network in Suffolk County. The indictment was the result a joint investigation conducted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s East End Drug Task Force along with members of the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Southampton Town Police Department, the Riverhead Town Police Department, the Southampton Village Police Department, the East Hampton Town Police Department, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Gang Violence Task Force, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Fentanyl Task Force, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Freeport Police Department.

“This investigation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations that spew poison into our communities. The defendants in this case allegedly turned a residential neighborhood into an open-air drug market, bringing violence and addiction to the doorsteps of Suffolk County families,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I thank our dedicated law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this complex investigation, the success of which underscores the critical importance of collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies to combat the organized sale of illicit drugs.”

 

“Under the strong leadership of District Attorney Tierney, East End law enforcement has been working collaboratively to make cases like this possible. The resources required to build and prosecute these cases are enormous – far beyond the reach of any single agency working alone,” said Chief James Kiernan of the Southampton Town Police Department. “This team-based approach allows us to return neighborhoods that have been plagued by drug dealers for years back to the hardworking, law-abiding citizens who call them home. Seeing children playing in a community free from drug activity and its associated crime is worth every ounce of effort.”

“We thank the District Attorney’s Office for its tireless efforts and unwavering partnership with our police department,” said Chief Ed Frost of the Riverhead Town Police Department. “Together, we remain committed to our shared goal of holding accountable those who peddle poison in our community and threaten the safety and well-being of our residents.”

“The indictment against Robert Love and his family-run drug trafficking operation is the result of the relentless efforts by DEA New York and our law enforcement partners in targeting those responsible for poisoning our communities with narcotics,” said New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino of the DEA. “This investigation, which resulted in the seizure of cocaine, illegal firearms, as well as other illicit narcotics, has significantly disrupted a source of violence and harm posed to Long Island’s East End.  The DEA remains committed to making sure our communities are safe.”

“The Freeport Police Department wants to thank all our Law Enforcement partners,” said Deputy Chief Donnie Ethier of the Freeport Police Department. “This successful multi-jurisdiction collaboration is one of the tools used to accomplish our crime reduction mission in the Village of Freeport.”

According to the investigation, beginning in July 2024, law enforcement launched an investigation into TIMOTHY MCKAY, SR., and his residence located at 20 Brown Street in Riverside, which was allegedly operating a drug market where several defendants openly sold quantities of crack cocaine to customers who frequented the location.

A detective with the District Attorney’s Office’s Fentanyl Task Force, acting in an undercover capacity, purchased cocaine at this location on 26 separate occasions from several members of this organization including MCKAY SR., TIMOTHY MCKAY JR., JOSEPH MCKAY, and RONALD LOVE.

The investigation revealed that ROBERT LOVE allegedly acted as the “head” of the operation, which employed several of his brothers as well as JOE MCKAY, ALEATRA ELEAZER, TIMOTHY MCKAY, SR., and TIMOTHY MCKAY, JR. Law enforcement also identified PRINCE YELLORDY, who acted as one of ROBERT LOVE’s narcotics suppliers.

During the course of the investigation, members of law enforcement covertly surveilled the organization and observed individuals walking up the driveway and into the yard of the Brown Street residence where they allegedly purchased narcotics from members of the organization. This pattern of activity occurred all throughout the day, seven days per week.

In June 2025, HALLOCK LUCE allegedly arranged for the delivery of cocaine to MCKAY SR. and ROBERT LOVE. Law enforcement later executed a search warrant at ROBERT LOVE’s residence and recovered over 14 ounces of cocaine from the living room and bedroom, over $11,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia including digital scales, drug packaging, and a dilutant used in the manufacturing of cocaine.

Throughout the investigation 18 total search warrants were executed across Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Queens County, including at five separate residences and 12 separate vehicles. Recovered from the various locations was over 14 ounces of cocaine, over 100 pounds of illegal cannabis, eight operable firearms, ammunition, over $170,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia such as a kilo press, scales, dilutants used in the manufacturing of crack cocaine, and packaging consistent with that used for the distribution of narcotics.

On July 11, 2025, the following defendants were arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins:

ROBERT E. “BOY” LOVE, 71, of Riverhead, was indicted for:

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony;

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony;

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;

Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; and

Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

 Justice Collins ordered ROBERT LOVE held on $2,500,000 cash, $5,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. ROBERT LOVE is due back in court on August 27, 2025, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by John Halverson, Esq.

TIMOTHY MCKAY JR., 36, of Riverside, was indicted for:

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony;

Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony.

 Justice Collins ordered MCKAY JR. held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $2,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. MCKAY JR. is due back in court on July 29, 2025, and faces up to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Christian Killoran, Esq.

JOE MCKAY, 52, of Riverside, was indicted for:

Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony.

 Justice Collins ordered MCKAY held on $500,000 cash, $1,500,000 bond, or $1,500,000 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. MCKAY is due back in court on August 20, 2025, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Keith O’Halloran, Esq.

PRINCE YELLORDY, 48 of Freeport, was indicted for:

Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony.

 Justice Collins ordered YELLORDY held on $1,500,000 cash, $3,000,000 bond, or $3,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. YELLORDY is due back in court on August 25, 2025, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Scott Zerner, Esq.

On July 17, 2025, the following defendants were arraigned on the indictment before Justice Collins:

TIMOTHY “BOOTY” MCKAY SR., 56, of Riverside, was indicted for:

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony;

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A felony;

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;

Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony; and

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.

 Justice Collins ordered MCKAY SR. held on $2,500,000 cash, $5,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. MCKAY SR. is due back in court on August 22, 2025, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Melissa Aguanno, Esq.

RONALD “BOO” LOVE, 59, of Riverside, was indicted for:

Conspiracy in the Second Degree,