Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Stapleton man charged in a recent gang-related takedown was lauded by a judge during a court appearance last week for progress he’s reportedly made while in treatment. Howie Clemons, 29, of Stapleton, pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance in connection with a 2024 drug bust in New Brighton, which authorities said was tied to the Trinitarios international criminal organization. During the virtual hearing in state Supreme Court, St. George, last week, a smiling Clemons spoke to Justice Marina C. Mundy about “staying focused” on his treatment, daily tasks and pursuing a GED. That’s despite an incident weeks ago at a drug treatment and mental health facility in Queens in which he was stabbed by another male, in what staff said was an unprovoked attack. Still, Clemons was arrested by police in the midst of the chaos. “I gotta tell you, you are a model participant as far as the court is concerned,” said Mundy. “I’m peeved about the (arrest). Unfortunately there’s nothing I can do about that, I’m on Staten Island.” Staff at the facility reported Clemons was given the option of bed rest after the injury, but he insisted he get back to his normal routine, which includes working toward a GED at York College. “You’ve handled everything unbelievably,” continued Mundy. “What you went through, with that incident. Not only to have gone through that, but you bounced back, didn’t take any time off ... You are doing fantastic. I’m super proud of you.” “I appreciate that, thank you,” replied Clemons. “I want to complete this and do what I have to do for my sobriety.” His attorney, Brendan Tracy, noted in court that he planned to contact the prosecutor to ask that charges in the stabbing incident be dismissed, based on video surveillance showing his client was the victim. If Clemons completes treatment and avoids further arrest, his case will be dismissed as part of the district attorney’s Alternatives to Incarceration Unit. If he fails treatment or is arrested again, he faces three years in prison. 4 guilty pleas, including ‘main target’: D.A. Three other defendants charged in the drug case have since pleaded guilty to resolve their cases, including the main target of the investigation, now 23-year-old Yeuris “Menor” Robles. Robles is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday to eight to 10 years in prison. Co-defendant Luis Tejada, 24, was sentenced recently to eight years in prison for his role in the drug operation. A fourth defendant was deemed to have a lesser role in the operation and offered five years probation. At the time of the drug bust, authorities said more individuals were being sought for questioning. ‘24 drug sweep The drug bust in April 2024 was the culmination of an undercover narcotics investigation by the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD’s Narcotics Bureau Staten Island, officials said previously. According to law enforcement, defendants dealt large quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics primarily out of a home on the 200 block of Corson Avenue, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said in a press release at the time. Robles and Tejada were alleged to be residing at the apartment raided by police, which was believed to be where the crew mostly operated. The raid uncovered pills, a loaded firearm and machetes, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said the crew was tied to 18 narcotics sales worth $25,000. “For far too long, Staten Islanders have been under siege by callous drug dealers who profit off the pain and suffering of those battling addiction illness, and I will never relent in our fight against their greed and brazen peddling of their poison on our streets,” said McMahon in a statement at the time. Sources with knowledge of this case noted that the Trinitarios had not been known to operate on Staten Island prior to the investigation. The Trinitarios is a Dominican-American transnational, hierarchical criminal organization with crews operating across the U.S.
