Multiple Arrests, FBI and New York State Police Swarm New Rochelle

Written By: Robert Cox

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Dozens of New York State Police with FBI Agents and New Rochelle Police swarmed 360 Huguenot Street apartment building in downtown New Rochelle late Monday afternoon. Several cars were impounded. Boxes and suitcases are being carried out of the building.

In a complaint unsealed Tuesday afternoon before Judge Judith C. McCarthy in Federal Court U.S. Southern District, Pedro Chinnery and Jermaine Lightfoot were indicted on charges related to a national Narcotics Distribution Conspiracy

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Since approximately September 2018, the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, in cooperation with local and state law enforcement agencies, has been investigating a drug trafficking organization that distributes heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base, and powder cocaine in an around Poughkeepsie, New York and elsewhere.

Based on information learned from confidential informants, review of phone records, review of criminal history records, intercepted wire and electronic communications and completion of multiple controlled purchases of narcotics, law enforcement has learned that Pedro Chinnery and Jermaine Lightfoot, along with others known and unknown, are working together and with others to distribute narcotics.

Using a federal wire tap order, law enforcement intercepted wire and electronic communications, including phone calls and text messages, between and involving Pedro Chinnery and Jermaine Lightfoot, among others.

An unidentified Confidential Informant (“CI-1 “) was arrested by law enforcement in or about March 2021 and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

CI-1 has three prior felony narcotics convictions for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree (2000, 2001, and 2015), as well as felony convictions for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and third degree (2006), and misdemeanor convictions for endangering the welfare of a child (2006), resisting arrest (2006), obstructing governmental administration (2006), reckless driving (2006), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (2004).

In hopes of obtaining leniency with respect to that charge, CI-1 has met with the Government several times to proffer information.

CI-1 has known Pedro Chinnery and Jermaine Lightfoot, the defendants, for many years, and has pooled money with Pedro Chinnery and Jermaine Lightfoot, all acting together, on multiple occasions to purchase numerous kilos of cocaine. The narcotics activities of Pedro Chinnery and Jermaine Lightfoot, have continued through in or about 2021.

In or about 2017, Lightfoot and CI-1 were selling between three to five kilograms of cocaine per week in Schenectady, New York. Lightfoot and CI-1 would pay other individuals to transport the cocaine from Long Island to Schenectady by car, through the Southern District of New York.

Since at least in or about 2017, Chinnery has dealt cocaine in Poughkeepsie, New York, among other locations. Chinnery has at times stashed one to two kilos of cocaine at a time at a car wash in Poughkeepsie. Since in or about 2017, there were periods during which Chinnery sold cocaine at a rate of approximately two kilos per month.

CI-1 made trips with Jermaine Lightfoot to California and Las Vegas, Nevada, during which trips, CI-1, Jermaine Lightfoot and others acquired multiple kilos of cocaine, to bring them back to New York State.

This included one trip in or about 2018.

On or about November 20, 2018, cleaning staff at a certain hotel in Las Vegas found what appeared to be drugs in a certain room at a Hotel (“Hotel-1”), and contacted law enforcement shortly before 1: 00 p.m. that day. Law enforcement arrived at Hotel-1 shortly thereafter and recovered, among other things, approximately 2 kilograms of a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.

Hotel-1 records reflected that Hotel Room-1 was rented the day earlier, for two nights, by “Jamaine Lightfoot,” who was later identified as Jermaine Lightfoot. The Hotel-1 front desk staff stated to law enforcement, in substance and in part, that Jermaine Lightfoot was involved in renting a second room (“Hotel Room-2”). At the time of reservation of Hotel Room-2, Lightfoot was accompanied by a woman whom Lightfoot said was his wife and who would need her own room. The woman whom Lightfoot stated was his wife paid for Hotel Room -2 with a credit card.

Law enforcement then searched Hotel Room-2 pursuant to a warrant, and recovered, among other things, approximately 5.8 kilograms of a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, and approximately 2.1 kilograms of a substance that field-tested positive for heroin.

Lightfoot was observed on video surveillance footage, with a large rolling suitcase, inHotel-1 the day before the narcotics seizure. Surveillance footage shows, in substance and in part, Lightfoot checking in to Hotel-1, entering the elevator at the lobby and exiting on the floor on which both Hotel Room-1 and Hotel Room-2 were located. Swipe card records from Hotel-1 also show a keycard assigned to Lightfoot at check-in swiping into Hotel Room-1 multiple on November 20, 2018, including at or about 12:02 p.m.

Drug Distribution in Poughkeepsie, New York

Law enforcement used a second Confidential Informant (“CI-2”) in their investigation to obtain information regarding the organization and to make controlled purchases of narcotics from Pedro Chinnery. As part of that cooperation, beginning in August 2020, CI-2 provided background information regarding the organization, as well as other criminal activity related to other separate investigations in Dutchess County.

CI-2 became an unpaid registered confidential human source with the New York State Police.

CI-2 has prior convictions of criminal contempt in the second degree (2019), criminal contempt in the second degree (2017), aggravated family offense (2013), assault in the third degree (2012), unauthorized use of a vehicle in the third degree (2011), assault in the third degree (2009), petit larceny (2009), criminal contempt in the second degree (2009), false written statement (2009), and attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (2008).

On December 16, 2020, as part of his/her cooperation with law enforcement, CI-2 made one controlled purchase of approximately 20 grams of powder cocaine from Chinnery. Before CI-2 met with Chinnery, law enforcement agents searched CI-2 and his/her car, confirmed that CI-2 had no contraband on CI-2’s person or in his/her car, and gave CI-2 another $1,000 of previously recorded buy money and a recording device. Law enforcement then surveilled CI-2 as he/she drove to and entered a carwash in Poughkeepsie, New York, (the “Car Wash”). At the Car Wash, law enforcement agents observed Chinnery meet and speak with CI-2. CI-2 and Chinnery then returned to their respective cars and left the Car Wash.

Subsequently, law enforcement observed CI-2 travel to a prearranged location. At that location, CI-2 turned over to law enforcement a clear plastic bag containing approximately 20 grams of white powdery substance, and confirmed that Chinnery had given it to him/her in exchange for $1,000.

Pedro Chinnery has distributed cocaine through an individual who has conducted numerous sales in Poughkeepsie, New York (“CC-1”).

On or about April 27, 2021, at approximately 6:32 p.m., Chinnery received an incoming call from CC-1. During that recorded call, the following conversation occurred, in substance and in part:

CHINNERY: Yeah, what’s up man? You still wantthat or what?

CC-1: Yeah, I grab that, that Nigga that helped me finish that quicker tonight

CHINNERY: You got that money up for it?

CC-1: For that? Yeah, yeah yeah

At approximately 6:55 p.m., Chinnery received an incoming call from CC-1.

CC-1: I’ll be there five minute

CHINNERY: Whaa ….. might need ten minute. Ah-right, whatever.

At approximately 7:48 p.m., Chinnery received an incoming call from CC-1.

CC-1: Both, both bags are the same material, right?

CHINNERY: Uh-um

CC-1: What?

CHINNERY: No

CC-1: What the fuck!, Nigga?

CHINNERY: Fuck what? Nigga? Ain’t nothin to talk about. What-chu mean? What, What?

CC-1: No, I mix em together?

CHINNERY: Nobody told you to do that (unintelligible) but if you did? You did. Don’t matter I guess. I have no …. I didn’t tell you to do that. I gave you one…

A confidential informant (“CI-3”) 3 working with the New York State Police has purchased cocaine from CC-1 on multiple occasions. For instance, on or about April 28, 2021, at approximately 6:59 p.m., CI-3 met CC-1 at a location in the vicinity of a certain address on South Road in Poughkeepsie, New York (the “South Road Location-I”), and exchanged $200 for four plastic bags containing a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.

In 2019, CI-3 worked with law enforcement in hopes of obtaining leniency for another individual facing criminal charges. With respect to the above purchases from CC-1, CI-3 volunteered to help law enforcement, was not seeking leniency with respect to a criminal charge and was not offered or provided with money. CI-3 has no criminal history.

On or about April 29, 2021, at approximately 10:02 p.m., Chinnery made an outgoing call to CC-1. During that recorded call, the following conversation occurred:

CHINNERY: Um, you got some change?

CC-1: A little bit

CHINNERY: Well before you go home come on holler at me. I’m at the car wash.

CC-1: Ahight ahight

Pedro Chinnery and Jermaine Lightfoot have used a courier to transport narcotics.

On or about February 27, 2021, at approximately 1:57 p.m., Chinnery received a call from Lightfoot.

CHINNERY: what I’m still here but I sent the bitch back nigger

LIGHTFOOT: What

CHINNERY:you want me to tell her to come back

LIGHTFOOT: yeah

CHINNERY: nigger I been waiting for you. I been here for an hour and some change my nigger like

LIGHTFOOT: .One hour oh wow

CHINNERY: yo this nigger is crazy though yeah alright I’m, I’m, I’m she coming

Based on surveillance of a certain address in Uniondale, New York, Chinnery, Courier-1, and Lightfoot met on February 27, 2021, where, it is alleged, Lightfoot provided drugs to Chinnery, and also provided drugs to Courier-1 for Courier-1 to transport to Schenectady

On or about February 28, 2021, at approximately 3:57 p.m., Chinnery received a call from Lightfoot:

CHINNERY: Hmmhmm. Where you at? You still up here? or you you back?

LIGHTFOOT: Nah nah I’m back.

CHINNERY: Oh aight.

LIGHTFOOT: Yea I’m back. Um yea shorty was tryin to get more money out me yesterday.

CHINNERY: What she tryin to get out of you $50 so she can go in a motherfuckin hotel room?

LIGHTFOOT: Yea she got $300 on the hotel room so that ain’t make no sense to me.

CHINNERY: You know she got 3 she got 3 kids so you gotta do the math. $100 for each kid nigga. Each of em took the ride.

On February 27, 2021, Courier-1 traveled to Schenectady and was present in Schenectady on February 27, 2021. Lighfoot, Chinnery and Courier-1 leftUniondale, Lightfoot accompanied Courier-1 to Schenectady in a separate car as Courier-1 transported the drugs in her car (which Lighfoot believed would help avoid law enforcement scrutiny), after which Lighfoot gave Courier-1 cash for Courier-l’s hotel room, which was an expense Courier-1 incurred in the course of transporting the drugs.

On May 17, 2021, at a location in the vicinity of Haverstraw, New York, law enforcement observed Pedro Chinnery meet with Courier-1 and observed Courier-1 then meet with another individual (“CC-2”).

On May 17, 2021, after the meetings in the vicinity of Haverstraw, New York the New York State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Courier-1 was traveling, as its license plates were registered to a different vehicle. Courier-1 was found to be driving with a suspended license, which had been suspended for an insurance lapse. NYSP arrested Courier-1, searched her person, and recovered approximately· 91 grams of a powdery substance that was field tested to contain cocaine.

At approximately 6: 10 p.m., Chinnery made an outgoing call to Jermaine Lightfoot, the defendant.

LIGHTFOOT: Yeah, How everything working out

CHINNERY: They caught (Courier-1’s first name)

LIGHTFOOT: Hmm?

CHINNERY: They caught (Courier-1’s first name)

LIGHTFOOT: I can’t hear you

CHINNERY: They caught (Courier-1’s first name)

LIGHTFOOT: Who the fuck is that?

CHINNERY: The white bitch.

LIGHTFOOT: I was just calling her phone just this second before I called you

CHINNERY: Wehh they grabbed her up.

LIGHTFOOT: For what?

CHINNERY: She She went to go grab something.

LIGHTFOOT: Huh?

CHINNERY:(unintelligible) she went to go grab something

LIGHTFOOT:For who?

LIGHTFOOT:Yo?

CHINNERY: (UI)

CHINNERY: You know (UI) we having that conversation my nigga

LIGHTFOOT: Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on

CHINNERY: I wouldn’t even call you about it if it wasn’t, motherfucking, you know a situation that was around, you heard?

OnMay 17, 2021 at approximately 6:49 p.m., Chinnery made an outgoing call to Lightfoot.

LIGHTFOOT: yo, nah she tried to all me I didn’t answer that shit

CHINNERY: Why (UI)

LIGHTFOOT: fuck that, why I didn’t answer

CHINNERY: yea I wanna hear (UI) you gonna have to change the phone anyway

LIGHTFOOT: nigger I’m not talking on her line you crazy you know whats goin on… nobody, nigger we been doin this shit for a millions years no way you get grabbed, they grab your phone, and they give it back to you… (UI noise) and there’s work involved. it don’t happen its not happening its part of the its part of the situation not gettin your phone back… unless they want you hang yourself more and they know you gonna get right out and then the mother fuckers gain, everything you say motherfuckers gonna make it visible by talking to you about the situation. you what I’m saying over the joint. it’s the only way.

LIGHTFOOT: but she usually don’t play games so I know she workin she doin she don’t usually play games

CHINNERY: play games as in what my nigger

LIGHTFOOT: As far as like trying rob a nigger and shit like that she don’t that

CHINNERY:yea

CHINNERY.: Alright nigger I’m scared to death now nigger

LIGHTFOOT: you better be… you better be

CHINNERY: where I’m going?

LIGHTFOOT: huh

CHINNERY: where should I go? cause I’m leavin (UI) I don’t really know where I should go

LIGHTFOOT: (UI) right now

CHINNERY: I’m goin ATL nigger (UI)

Additional Communications between Pedro Chinnery and

Jermaine Lightfoot Regarding Narcotics Trafficking

On March 23, 2021, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Chinnery received an incoming call from Lightfoot.

CHINNERY: I’m sayin’ what’s ..what’s the ..what’s that number lookin like right now.

LIGHTFOOT:Man we ain’t gonna do all that man. You around or you not around. We ain’t gonna do all that shit.

CHINNERY: Nah man I need to know man cause niggas is really rnotherfuckin’ offerin’ me a pretty penny man. So, I’m tryin’… I’m tryin’ to be (UI) c’mon man. You know what’s goin’ on man. What street you on man?

LIGHTFOOT: What’s you… P… I don’t know man. If somebody in there is selling good, then get it.

CHINNERY: It’s about the number man (UI) everybody got somethin’ good right now man.

LIGHTFOOT: Nah I’m sayin,.Somebody get a good ticket, just get it.(yawn) shit.

CHINNERY: You get that other thing yet?

LIGHTFOOT: Yeah I’m at the 3-0.

On March 26, 2021, at approximately 9:07 a.m., Chinnery received an incoming call from Lightfoot.

CHINNERY: Whats up man, you aint need no more of that stuff that I gave you, man? Huh?

LIGHTFOOT: Naah, I didn’t, I didn’t like that, like that one

CHINNERY: What chu want the other one?

LIGHTFOOT: (laugh)

CHINNERY: I got four (unintelligible)

CHINNERY: I’ll call you when I get down there

LIGHTFOOT: Alright

CHINNERY: Take this phone with you please

LIGHTFOOT: I am

CHINNERY: Ah right

END

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:

Two suspects were observed taken into custody.

Westchester County Police Department helicopter assisting.

19 thoughts on “Multiple Arrests, FBI and New York State Police Swarm New Rochelle”

  1. Hi Jamine,
    Since you are a resident, what part do you think or have observed the owners and management has in all of this? Clearly there is a systemic problem when these situations occur so often.
    I don’t know how much you pay in rent, but regardless, isn’t it ultimately the responsibility of the landlord that gains the profits to keep residents safe? Do children live in this building? Are the entrance ways secure? What are your insights as to why this keeps happening at this property?

  2. As a current tenant in the 360 Huguenot building, I’ve speculated long enough why all those folks who don’t seem educated at all can afford to live here and drive fancy cars. Now I don’t have to wonder.

  3. Black American fall guy? Fall guy? Was Jeffrey Dahmer a fall guy? Drug dealers are killing communities. These arrests aren’t distractions. Post your address so they can safely deal from your home.

  4. This is what Noam and Chuck has brought to New Rochelle with their hyper development, skyline ruining, crooked, big money launderers that you won’t see in handcuffs, just the usual designated Black American Criminal fall guy.

  5. Lived and raised In new Rochelle all my life I guess all these skyscraper’s attract a lot of character’s!! first is the mafia at o’kiernan’s pub, then is the gang’s, and now is a very organized heroin, coke, fentanyl, organization…based out of poughkeepsie NY, and Schenectady, NY.. 3️⃣6️⃣0️⃣ HUGUENOT ST.LOlllllllll. who said new Rochelle is a safe city in crime, I am glad I moved out 5️⃣ years ago…🤦🤔🤦🤔

  6. Nothing new with this town but this is a first and that’s a brand new building you get what you get and don’t get upset. I hate raising my child here and wished I could leave NR is getting worst and worst. May street I was told was dealing besides the projects. Guns are still getting fired and people getting killed or injured. I make sure I give myself and my child a curfew. People are loosing their minds and COVID isn’t to be blamed. We the people failed our kids and failed to fight to put the right people in office to help our kids. It takes a village to raise the kids and so does we the people of New Rochelle.

  7. That’s one of those new, crazy expensive apartment buildings that have been erected in downtown New Rochelle and if the tenants are affording to live there & arrests have been made, one could only imagine what they’re doing to afford the rent

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