Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal Drive-By Shooting of NYC Sommelier
Jeremiah Bascombe admits to first-degree manslaughter in death of Vernard Floranda, who was struck by a stray bullet.
Jeremiah Bascombe, 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on Tuesday for his role in the 2024 drive-by shooting that killed Vernard Floranda, a sommelier at the Michelin-starred restaurant Café Boulud in New York City.
Floranda, 46, was fatally struck in the chest by a stray bullet on October 2, 2024, as he waited to cross the street near his apartment shortly after midnight. Prosecutors stated that gang members from the Bronx fired into a crowd from a car that Bascombe, then 19, was driving.
Bascombe and two accomplices were arrested two weeks after the shooting and charged with murder, conspiracy, and weapons possession. On Tuesday, Bascombe appeared in a Manhattan courtroom and withdrew his not guilty plea, agreeing to the reduced charge.
During the proceedings, Bascombe answered affirmatively to Judge Ann Scherzer's questions, confirming his understanding of the rights he was waiving by pleading guilty. He confirmed he was voluntarily pleading guilty to killing Floranda, lifting his chained right hand as far as possible.
Judge Scherzer indicated she plans to sentence Bascombe to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 17.
Bascombe's alleged accomplice, Jason Texeira, 20, is scheduled to go to trial on October 13, facing charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy, and weapons possession. The plea status of the third individual, who was a minor at the time of the arrest, is unclear.
Prosecutors previously stated that detectives used extensive surveillance footage to trace the movements of Bascombe and his accomplices on the night of the killing. The footage reportedly showed Bascombe leaving his Bronx home, picking up the other two teens, driving to Manhattan to commit the shooting, and then fleeing the scene.
Floranda, originally from outside New York City, had been living in the city for two years at the time of his death. Before working at Café Boulud, he was a sommelier at another acclaimed restaurant, Gramercy Tavern, and had previous experience at establishments in Las Vegas and San Francisco. His mother described him as having dreams of opening his own wine bar. Floranda was also noted to have a love for plants and gardening.
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