Federal prosecutors have unsealed a 15-count indictment charging eleven members of the Trinitarios street gang with a series of violent crimes, including the murder of popular New York influencer Ariela Mejia-Polanco. The indictment, announced on July 21, 2026, details a spree of violence spanning from September 2023 to September 2025 across the Bronx, New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley.
Indictment Details and Charges
The suspects, all members of the Bad Boys 7 (BB7) faction of the Trinitarios gang, face charges of murder, assault, robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking, and wire fraud. The indictment also includes the gunpoint robbery of an international record artist. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, "As alleged, the BB7 Trinitarios, operating from their historical headquarters in the Bronx, terrorized communities in New York City, Westchester, and northern New Jersey, night after night."
Murder of Ariela Mejia-Polanco
Six alleged BB7 members—Justin Martha, Michael Mercedes Marte, Jose Peralta Gomez, Manuel Abad Rivas, Wilfren Carbuccia, and Jeilin Portes Guaba—are charged with the August 2025 slaying of 32-year-old social media star Ariela La Langosta, whose real name was Ariela Mejia-Polanco. She was shot multiple times and found dead in her car on the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon. Mejia-Polanco, who had over half a million Instagram followers and appeared in Tekashi 6ix9ine's "Wapae" music video, was killed after the group attempted to carjack her black Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG SUV.
Other Murders and Robberies
Darwin Martinez, known as "Mole," was separately charged with the July 2025 murders of Gabriel Alvarez and Adam Waldropt at a Bronx car meet. Additional killings occurred in the Bronx, Newark, and Paterson. Some gang members were also charged with the June 2025 gunpoint robbery of prominent Dominican musician Bulin 47. The gang allegedly used a GPS tracker to follow the rapper from Massachusetts to a hotel parking lot in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and robbed him of high-value jewelry. A twelfth defendant, Jarol Ledesma, was charged with Hobbs Act robbery and interstate stalking in connection with that robbery.
Law Enforcement Response
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch credited the takedown to the NYPD's "precision policing strategy and relentless work targeting dangerous gangs and guns." FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. added, "Today's outcome sends a clear message: this type of violence will never be tolerated in New York. The FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force remains steadfast in our mission to dismantle violent gangs, protect the American public, and deliver justice for the victims."
The alleged Trinitarios gang members face life in prison if convicted of racketeering conspiracy. Officials hope the bust sends a strong warning to other gangs in the city.
