DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of New York

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 14, 2014
William J. Hochul, Jr.
, United States Attorney
Contact: Barbara Burns

Gang Member Sentenced On Drug and Gun Charges

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jacob Rivera, a/k/a “JJ,” 20, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of cocaine base, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities, was sentenced to 17 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, along with several others, was part of a violent, street level drug trafficking organization that referred to themselves as “M.D.B.”, or “The Broezel Boys.” From 2010 until their arrest in the summer of 2013, members and associates of MDB operated an open air drug market in a multi block area near the intersection of Dewey and Lexington Avenues, including all of Broezel Street, the north end of Maryland Street, portions of Driving Park and portions of Lakeview Park, in Rochester.

M.D.B. members and associates also maintained several drug houses in Rochester, including the duplex residence at 325/327 Lexington Avenue, the upstairs apartment at 171 Maryland Street, the upstairs apartment at 316 Lakeview Park and 672 West Main Street, each for the purpose of possessing, manufacturing, distributing, and using controlled substances.

Rivera possessed firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities and used violence and threats of violence against unaffiliated persons who attempted to sell illegal controlled substances within their territory and against certain witnesses who were viewed as hostile to the interests of M.D.B.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Cannon, New York Field Office, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Ciminelli, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Jamie J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division.

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New York Field Division