Ninedee Gang Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison

Maliek Miller, a leader of the Brooklyn-based Ninedee Gang, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murder of former federal witness Shatavia Walls. The sentencing took place on October 24, 2024, in federal court in Brooklyn, as announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Miller was convicted in June 2024 of murder in-aid-of-racketeering for the killing of Walls in July 2020. His convictions also included racketeering, conspiracy to commit murder in-aid-of racketeering, unlawful use and possession of firearms, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The FBI and NYPD played significant roles in the investigation and prosecution.

The Murder of Shatavia Walls

Shatavia Walls became a target for the Ninedee Gang after she testified against a gang member, Shakeem Boykins, in June 2019. Boykins was convicted and sentenced to 110 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following her testimony, Walls was labeled a 'rat' in posters around the Pink Houses, a housing complex in East New York, Brooklyn, where the Ninedee Gang operated.

On July 4, 2020, Walls was involved in a physical altercation with Ninedee Gang members, including Miller, who called her a 'snitch' and fired a shot in the air. This altercation led to a plan to murder Walls, which was executed on July 7, 2020. A hit team from the Ninedee Gang, including Quintin Green and Joe Santana, chased and shot Walls multiple times. She succumbed to her injuries ten days later.

Sentencing and Reactions

In addition to Miller's life sentence, several co-defendants received significant prison terms. Quintin Green was sentenced to 420 months, Joe Santana to 264 months, Kevin Wint to 110 months, and Shakur Bey to 60 months. Wint had rented a hotel room for the shooters near John F. Kennedy International Airport.

United States Attorney Nocella expressed hope that the sentence would bring solace to Walls' family, stating, "For his brutal crimes of conviction, Miller will spend the rest of his life in a federal prison." FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr.

emphasized the importance of collaboration in holding violent offenders accountable, while NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch highlighted the significance of the sentence in making East New York safer.

The Ninedee Gang, known for its violent activities within and outside the New York City Housing Authority complex, has been a longstanding rival to another gang in the Pink Houses. Miller's sentencing marks a significant step in dismantling the gang's operations and ensuring justice for victims like Shatavia Walls.