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Mark “Markie” Ogilvie, 24, Tyron “Yayo” McCallum, 26, Travis “Trav” Clarke, 24 and Jason “White” Dutch, 30, were each indicted on several felony counts after an investigation into several homicides that took place in Mount Vernon on March 11, 2012.
In the span of approximately six hours on that date, three men were shot and killed within the city.
The first victim, Russell Watkins, a GMG associate, was shot while riding his dirt bike in front of a series of witnesses on Seventh Avenue. The investigation into that murder is ongoing, though it is believed the suspect is a member of a rival street gang, the Goonies.
In retaliation, two associates of the Goonies were “hunted down,” shot and killed later that day.
Shortly before 9 p.m., Stephon Ramsey was shot and killed as he attempted to leave his home. The victim suffered gunshot wounds to the back of his head and right thigh. He died in Jacobi Medical Center eight days later.
Approximately two hours later, Cleveland Baxter was shot while driving his BMW. He died in Mount Vernon Hospital the next day. Six rounds were found in his body in the subsequent autopsy.
Ogilvie has been charged with two counts of second degree murder, two counts of conspiracy and five counts of criminal possession of a weapon. McCallum has been charged with one count of murder, two counts of conspiracy and five counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Each is a felony offense.
Clarke is charged with one count of murder and conspiracy and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, while Dutch faces one count of conspiracy, one count of criminal possession of a weapon, one count of hindering prosecution and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
The next court date for each of the defendants is Dec. 17. Each faces life in prison if they are convicted of their crimes.
In a statement, DiFiore said that these criminals are guilty of diminishing the quality of life in Mount Vernon.
“These street gangs and their members live in an alternate reality,” she said. “The real reality is that their actions impact the quality of life for everyone in the city. The countless indirect victims of their violence are the families, school children, business owners, shopkeepers, virtually every resident of the city.””
The investigation into the three shootings was coordinated between the prosecutor’s office, the Mount Vernon Police Department, State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the FBI.
“In our targeting these gangs, the city of Mount Vernon has seen its gun violence homicides reduced by 75 percent in just one year,” DiFiore said. “The public’s help in these prosecutions is the keystone in holding these defendants accountable and maintaining a safer city and more vibrant for everyone.”
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