Federal prosecutors have indicted 11 members of the Trinitarios street gang, specifically its Bad Boys 7 (BB7) faction, on charges including five murders, a spate of robberies, carjackings, and narcotics trafficking. The indictments, unsealed Monday, detail a pattern of alleged criminal activity spanning from September 2023 to September 2025 across the Bronx, New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley.
Six alleged BB7 members face charges for the August 2025 slaying of Ariela Mejia-Polanco, known as social media influencer Ariela La Langosta. She was found with multiple gunshot wounds in her vehicle on the Cross County Parkway in Mount Vernon. Mejia-Polanco, who had over half a million Instagram followers and appeared in rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine's "Wapae" music video, was allegedly targeted for her Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG SUV in an attempted carjacking.
US Attorney Jay Clayton stated that the BB7 Trinitarios "terrorized communities" from their Bronx base. The indictment includes 15 counts, such as murder, assault, robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking, and wire fraud. In addition to La Langosta's death, the gang is charged in the July 2025 murders of Gabriel Alvarez and Adam Waldropt during a Bronx car meet, as well as two other killings in the Bronx and New Jersey.
Darwin Martinez, an alleged gang member identified as "Mole," is separately charged in the July murders. The indictment also includes charges related to the June 2025 armed robbery of Dominican musician Bulin 47. Prosecutors allege the gang used a GPS tracker to follow the artist from Massachusetts to a New Jersey hotel parking lot, where they stole high-value jewelry. A twelfth defendant, Jarol Ledesma, faces charges for Hobbs Act robbery and interstate stalking in connection with this incident.
Law enforcement officials emphasized the collaboration between agencies. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch highlighted the impact of the NYPD's "precision policing strategy" and its focus on gangs and firearms. FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. reiterated the commitment to dismantling violent gangs and seeking justice for victims.
The alleged Trinitarios members face potential life sentences if convicted of racketeering conspiracy. All defendants were awaiting arraignment on Monday.