Gang member from Own Every Dollar sentenced to 25 years after killing innocent bystander in failed attack

New York – A member of the violent Own Every Dollar (OED) gang was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his involvement in a series of violent crimes, including the 2019 murder of an innocent bystander. Jerrin Pena, also known as “Rooga” and “Perry,” was handed the sentence on Monday by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken in the Southern District of New York.

Pena had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon, Hobbs Act robbery, narcotics conspiracy, firearms trafficking, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of robbery. His conviction stemmed from an April 14, 2019, shooting in which he attempted to kill a rival gang member but instead struck and fatally wounded 57-year-old Hector Cruz.

According to prosecutors, Pena and other gang members drove to West 135th Street in Manhattan with the intention of attacking a rival gang. Pena exited the vehicle and fired his weapon, but instead of hitting his intended target, he shot Cruz, who later died from his injuries a month later.

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Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky spoke on the case, saying, “Jerrin Pena, a leader of the violent OED gang, murdered an innocent bystander, Hector Cruz, while trying to shoot at a rival gang member on April 14, 2019. Then, when in federal custody on these charges, Pena stabbed another inmate in an attempt to kill him. Yesterday’s lengthy prison sentence hopefully brings some measure of comfort to the family of Hector Cruz and reinforces this Office’s commitment to ending gang violence throughout New York City.”

Pena’s violent activities extended beyond the 2019 shooting. In 2023, while being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, he and several other inmates attempted to kill another detainee by stabbing him multiple times. Additionally, Pena was involved in a 2022 armed robbery of a drug dealer in Manhattan and played a role in trafficking firearms from Pennsylvania to New York. He also conspired to distribute more than four kilograms of fentanyl.

The OED gang, a subset of the notorious Trinitarios gang, has been linked to numerous violent crimes throughout New York City. The indictments in this case charged 24 members and associates of OED with various offenses, including five murders and 15 attempted murders.
So far, 16 of Pena’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty to charges related to gang violence and criminal activity.

In addition to his 25-year prison term, Pena was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. Law enforcement officials, including the New York City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, were praised for their dedication to dismantling violent gangs and preventing further harm in the community.

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The case was handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner, Kevin Mead, Ashley C. Nicolas, and Alexandra Messiter leading the prosecution. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on gang violence and ensuring justice for victims affected by these senseless crimes.

With Pena now behind bars, officials hope his sentence serves as a warning to others involved in gang-related violence. The ongoing efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors continue to focus on making New York City’s neighborhoods safer and holding violent offenders accountable for their actions.