Bronx-based rapper Kevin Perez, known as “Kay Flock,” and several alleged members of the “Sev Side” and “Third Side” gangs are facing serious federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and murder. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell announced the unsealing of the indictment, highlighting a concerted effort to combat gang violence in New York City.
The indictment names Kevin Perez, a.k.a. “Kay Flock,” along with Devon Mason, Ervin Beamon, Nicholas Johnson, Sean Smith, and Jossi Castro, all allegedly affiliated with “Sev Side,” also known as “DOA.” A separate Superseding Indictment, unsealed earlier, charged Iszayah Rowson and Michael Gant, linked to the “Third Side” gang, which prosecutors say is closely tied to Sev Side. These charges underscore the severity of gang-related crime in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan.
Image alt text: Law enforcement photo showing six defendants named in the Sev Side gang indictment, Kevin Perez, Devon Mason, Ervin Beamon, Nicholas Johnson, Sean Smith, and Jossi Castro.
Kay Flock himself faces the most severe charge: the gang-related murder of Hwascar Hernandez on December 16, 2021, in Hamilton Heights. Furthermore, Perez, Mason, Beamon, Johnson, Rowson, and Gant are accused of multiple violent crimes, including attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, stemming from seven shootings in the Bronx between June 2020 and February 2022. These incidents paint a picture of escalating gang warfare and its devastating impact on the community.
The arrests were carried out by the NYPD, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Mason, Johnson, and Castro were apprehended in the Bronx, while Rowson and Gant were already in federal custody. Perez was transferred from state to federal custody. Smith and Beamon are currently fugitives. The coordinated operation signals a strong stance against gang activity and gun violence in the city.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated, “Over a span of several years, the members of these gangs allegedly terrorized neighborhoods in the Bronx and Manhattan by killing and shooting other people. Through these charges, we will hold Sev Side and Third Side members responsible for plaguing our communities with gun violence.” His words emphasize the devastating consequences of gang violence and the determination of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell echoed this sentiment, saying, “The deadly nexus of gangs and illegal guns in New York City is a grave threat to public safety in our city. Combatting this crisis is the NYPD’s top priority, and today’s indictments are another step toward ridding our streets of violence and fear.” These statements highlight the collaborative effort between federal and local authorities to tackle the issue head-on.
According to court documents, Sev Side and Third Side, operating primarily in the 48th Precinct in the Bronx since at least 2019, allegedly engaged in indiscriminate shootings targeting rival gang members. The gangs are also accused of using social media and music to promote their activities and glorify violence, referencing real acts of aggression in their content. This highlights the modern methods gangs use to spread their influence and incite further violence.
The disputes between Sev Side, Third Side, and rival gangs in the Bronx and Manhattan have resulted in a series of violent acts, including:
- December 16, 2021: Kevin Perez (Kay Flock) allegedly murdered Hwascar Hernandez in Manhattan.
- November 10, 2021: Perez, Mason, and Beamon allegedly shot at rival gang members.
- February 10, 2022: Mason allegedly shot at a rival gang member, injuring an innocent bystander.
- June 20, 2020: Perez, Gant, and Rowson allegedly shot at rival gang members.
- June 26, 2020: Johnson allegedly shot at a rival gang member.
- July 7 & 16, 2020: Gant allegedly shot at rival gang members on two separate occasions.
- December 13, 2020: Rowson allegedly shot at a rival gang member.
These incidents represent a pattern of violence and disregard for public safety allegedly perpetrated by the defendants.
Image alt text: Table outlining defendants, ages, charges, and potential penalties in the Sev Side and Third Side gang racketeering case.
The charges carry significant penalties. Kevin Perez faces a mandatory life sentence or potentially the death penalty. Devon Mason, Ervin Beamon, Nicholas Johnson, Iszayah Rowson, and Michael Gant face maximum life sentences with mandatory minimums of 10 to 20 years. Sean Smith and Jossi Castro face maximum sentences of 30 and 20 years respectively. These penalties reflect the seriousness of the charges and the potential consequences for those involved in gang-related violence.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended the NYPD for their investigative work and thanked the New York County and Bronx County District Attorney’s Offices for their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Espinosa, Jim Ligtenberg, and Ni Qian are leading the prosecution.
It is important to remember that these charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. However, the indictments represent a significant step in the ongoing fight against gang violence and illegal gun activity in New York City, with “Kay Flock” at the center of this high-profile case.
