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Milton “Reese” Westley, of New Haven, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Hartford to a federal racketeering charge stemming from his role as a member of the Goodrich Street Boys in New Haven.
For years, the New Haven Police Department’s Shooting Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have been investigating more than three dozen unsolved shootings in New Haven and Hamden. Officials said that “ballistic examination of recovered cartridge cases determined that three firearms were used in 18 shootings committed in or around New Haven in 2016.”
The investigation into the unsolved shootings determined that the guns were possessed by members of the Goodrich Street Boys, which operates out of New Haven, and that gang members were involved in several shootings, most of which were in retaliation against rival gangs.
The first shooting took place when a member of the Goodrich Street Boys felt that someone had been disrespectful toward him over social media. On Jan. 23, 2016, members of the gang fired several shots into that person’s New Haven home, while Westley recorded video of himself at the scene while the shots were being fired.
Early on May 27, 2016, near the intersection of Sperry Street and Whalley Avenue in New Haven, Westley admitted to shooting a man from a distance, and while he was still on the ground, shot him in the head at close range. His victim survived the gunshot wounds.
On Aug. 3 last year, Westley and five others were charged in a 13-count indictment that charged he and five others with racketeering, attempted murder, drug and weapon offenses. It is alleged that between September 2015 and May 2016, members of the Goodrich Street Boys were involved in no less than six gang-related shootings that caused injuries to five people.
Westley has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Westley admitted to being a member of the gang, that he sold drugs with other members and was involved in at least two gang-related shootings.
Since his arrest on Aug. 9 last year, Westley has been detained. He will face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced later this year.
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