New York, NY – Brandon Soto, also known as “Stacks,” was sentenced today to 35 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern for his involvement in racketeering activities, including the murder of a 15-year-old boy, and other crimes connected to his leadership role in the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation Bloods Gang. Soto’s sentencing follows his guilty plea to charges of racketeering, transferring a firearm to a juvenile, and conspiracy to commit arson.
As a leader within the Gorilla Stone gang, Soto directed a teenage gang member to execute a rival gang member, resulting in the death of Jalani Jones on September 21, 2020. This act was part of a broader pattern of violence and criminal activities by the gang, which included drug trafficking and violent assaults. Soto took extensive measures to cover up his involvement in the murder, including burning the vehicle used during the crime and ordering the deletion of social media accounts linked to the incident.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the gravity of Soto’s actions, highlighting the daylight murder of Jalani Jones in front of small children and Soto’s significant role in the widespread criminal activities of the Gorilla Stone gang. The gang, with a national presence and organized structure, has been involved in various criminal activities, including the distribution of narcotics and acts of violence.
In addition to Soto’s sentencing, all 21 defendants associated with the Gorilla Stone case have been convicted, with 14 already sentenced and seven awaiting sentencing. The convictions and sentences underscore the commitment of law enforcement to prosecuting gang-related violence and criminality.