On October 23rd, 2024, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging three men from Baltimore in connection with the robbery and murder of a Queens marijuana dealer on July 25, 2024. Jerome Waters, also known as “the Engineer,” Calvin Israel, and William Barnett are accused of kidnapping and killing the victim. Waters and Israel were arrested in Maryland on Oct. 23rd, 2024, and will face arraignment in the Eastern District of New York. Barnett remains at large.
The charges were announced by Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director of the FBI’s New York Field Office, and Thomas G. Donlon, Interim Commissioner of the NYPD.
“As alleged, the defendants’ planned robbery and kidnapping led to a tragic death, underlining the threat posed by guns and drugs in our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Peace. “This office remains dedicated to working with our partners to bring violent criminals to justice.”
NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon added, “These arrests demonstrate our relentless pursuit of violent crews that profit from drug-related brutality. I commend our investigators for their tireless work in protecting our neighborhoods from such senseless violence.”
Court filings reveal that the defendants, part of a Baltimore-based robbery crew, targeted two drug dealers in Queens. On the night of July 24, 2024, Waters and Barnett met the dealers, John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, under the pretense of purchasing marijuana at a stash house. The situation escalated when Waters and Barnett pulled guns and held the dealers at gunpoint, stealing approximately 30 pounds of marijuana.
The suspects tied up John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 with zip ties, loaded them into vehicles, and drove them around Queens while demanding more drugs and money. Tragically, Israel allegedly shot John Doe #1 multiple times, killing him in the back of a U-Haul van. Authorities later discovered the body of the Queens marijuana dealer with a zip tie still on his wrist, surrounded by bags of marijuana.
If convicted, Waters, Israel, and Barnett face life imprisonment. The charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative to reduce violent crime. The prosecution is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Adam Amir handling the case.
The Defendants:
JEROME WATERS (also known as “the Engineer”)
Age: 23
Maryland
CALVIN ISRAEL
Age: 23
Maryland
WILLIAM BARNETT
Age: 27
Maryland
UNRELATED NEWS: Teen Charged in Fatal Robbery During Marijuana Deal
New York Fines Unlicensed Cannabis Operator $15.2 Million
