A Mount Vernon man has been charged with murder for his alleged role in a Bronx drug ring.
Andre Felton, 39, was charged as part of a bust of two Bronx drug operations that swept up 49 people, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday with the unsealing of two federal indictments.
Felton, also known as “Dre,” and Bronx residents James Felton, James Diaz and Ezekiel Burley are accused of shooting two men on December 11, 2016 on East 175th Street and Monroe Avenue in Bronx as part of a power struggle over drug activity in the area, according to court documents. One of the victims, Jose Morales, died from his injuries.
The alleged shooters are among 15 people who have been accused of distributing crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana as part of an organization that operated in that Bronx neighborhood from 2010 until February 2017.
Felton is the second Westchester resident in the last week to be hit with federal charges for allegedly shooting someone as part of drug activity in Bronx.
Felton will be arraigned in Manhattan federal court on March 23 on charges of narcotics conspiracy, murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy, and using a firearm during a narcotics conspiracy that resulted in death. He has been in custody since February 2, 2017, when he was arrested on other federal drug charges. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of these new charges, officials said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s announcement on Wednesday also revealed charges against 34 people for their alleged drug activity with an organization that operated primarily on Weeks Avenue and East 176th Street in the Bronx.
The NYPD, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and Drug Enforcement Administration also worked on the investigation.
