Prosecutors announced that a man, who was previously a dean at a high school in New York City and also the leader of a violent street gang in the Bronx, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a man during a turf battle over drug trafficking.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Israel Garcia has been sentenced to life in prison plus an additional five years for the murder of Alfonso “Joey” McClinton in October 2010. Garcia, who was found guilty on several charges including multiple murder and narcotics offenses as well as witness tampering and weapon possession, received his sentencing less than a year after the verdict was reached.
According to prosecutors, Garcia, also known as “Shorty Rock,” was the previous leader of the Get Money Gunnaz, a faction of the Young Gunnaz street gang. For over ten years, Garcia oversaw drug distribution in the Fordham Heights region, specifically the area of East 184th Street and Morris Avenue, as the head of the gang.
According to prosecutors, Joseph “Juice” Johnson, a member of the gang, was arrested and found guilty of the murder shortly after. However, further investigation using video evidence and ballistics revealed that there was another shooter involved in McClinton’s death. Based on witness testimony and evidence, Garcia was identified as the second shooter.
Garcia faced not only murder charges but also allegations of taking measures to prevent Johnson from identifying him as the second gunman. This was due to Garcia’s apprehension that Johnson might cooperate with the authorities.
Unfortunately, we currently do not have access to any information regarding Garcia’s attorney.
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