Operation Red Smiley
Beginning in May 2018, New Rochelle Police Detectives in the Special Investigations Unit became aware that heroin stamped with a Red Smiley face symbol was prevalent in New Rochelle and initiated an investigation. 27 suspects were arrested today. More than two kilos of heroin were seized along with marijuana and firearms. 50 defendants in total have been arrested due to this investigation. One suspect is still at large.
In February 2019, New Rochelle Police Detectives and Investigators from the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office were able to identify two key suspects: Jeffrey Brickle of this city and Rafael Rivera of the Bronx. Rivera was suspected of supplying the heroin, and was also under investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. He faces State charges as well as Federal charges for Drug Conspiracy and Sales.
The arrest of Rafael Rivera resulted in the identification of Kevin Lynch of Mount Vernon, who is suspected of dealing cocaine and other assorted contraband throughout Westchester County. Detectives quickly identified the members of his operation. On July 24, 2019 New Rochelle Police Detectives and members of the Pelham Police Department executed three search warrants in New Rochelle and Pelham. This led to the arrest of seven individuals and the recovery of Heroin, cash and drug paraphernalia.
Several members of the Brickle family have been charged during this investigation. The senior members of the Brickle family are Jeffrey Brickle, Sr. aka “Pops,” and Althea Cutler. These two suspects had numerous customers in New Rochelle and arranged for other family members to also distribute contraband. Jeffrey Brickle aka “Gunnar” is the grandson of Jeffrey Brickle, Sr. and also is charged in this case.
On September 10, 2019 five additional search warrants were executed in Yonkers, the Bronx, Mt Vernon, New Rochelle and Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania. A total of 50 individuals have been either arrested and charged prior to today, or are being charged today, with various charges in regard to this investigation. One suspect is still being sought. The charges range from misdemeanor drug possession to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class A felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (loaded firearm), a class C felony.
The New Rochelle Police Department would like to thank its law enforcement partners for their assistance in this investigation, specifically the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Mount Vernon Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, New York City Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Pelham Police Department and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department.
Suspects who have been charged:
- Jeffrey Brickle, 31, Tobyhanna, PA
- Akaimamin McGhee, 23, New Rochelle
- Denise Jones, 33, New Rochelle
- Latoya Thomas, 38, New Rochelle
- Michelle Giordano, Pelham, NY
- Joaquin Brickle, 35, New Rochelle
- Rafael Rivera, 40, Bronx, NY
- Shelton Smith, 59, Bronx, NY
- Jermaine Brickle, 46, New Rochelle
- Jeffrey Brickle Sr, 70, New Rochelle
- Kevin Lynch, 48, Mt Vernon, NY
- Joseph Milline, 62, New Rochelle
- William Kemp, 61, New Rochelle
- Kari Brickle, 29, New Rochelle
- Sakue Brickle, 29, New Rochelle
- Althea Cutler, 57, New Rochelle
- Esteban Perez, 30, New Rochelle
- Elmos Watkins, 40, New Rochelle
- Kristi Prela, 24, Yonkers, NY
- Divine Green, 45, New Rochelle
- Darryl Hollis, 58, New Rochelle
- Zaka Hussain, 26, Stamford, CT
- Jane Andreassi, 55, Port Chester, NY
- Marco Rabanales, 23, New Rochelle
- Cheryl Hollis, 57, New Rochelle
- Alejandro Fernandez, 23, New Rochelle
- Derek Dellaripa, 30, New Rochelle
- Andrew Lacerenza, 32, New Rochelle
- Onasses Hernandez, 40, New Rochelle
- Christina Lepore, 31, New Rochelle
- Mindy Lepore, 36, New Rochelle
- Shawna Bostick, 50, Mt Vernon, NY
- Andrew Sauro, 31, New Rochelle
- Richard Guila, 24, New Rochelle
- Krista Leggieri, 26, Tobyhanna, PA
- Jeanine Brickle, 44, New Rochelle
- Peter Shue, 60, Yonkers, NY
- Willie Graham, 67, Mt Vernon, NY
- Jeffrey Ianniello, 40, Mamaroneck, NY
- Leroy Brown, 69, New Rochelle
- Maurice Jackson, 43, Mamaroneck, NY
- Frank Martins, 50, New Rochelle
- Maureen Murray, 50, Mamaroneck, NY
- William Evans, 55, Yonkers, NY
- Charles Faulk, 47 , Yonkers, NY
- Jason Stewart, 42, New Rochelle
- Joanne Arroyo, 47, Yonkers, NY
- John Wells, 52, Yonkers, NY
- Rayette Brown, 53, Mt Vernon, NY
In compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.6, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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media@westchesterda.net
(914) 995-3586
