Earlier today in Brooklyn federal court, Marcus Pittman, also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese,” pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm resulting in death during a kidnapping, robbery, and murder of a marijuana dealer that took place on July 25, 2024. Pittman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto.
The announcement was made by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.
“Today, the defendant pleaded guilty to an execution-style, drug-related killing carried out in the rear of a U-Haul van in brutal fashion,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Marcus Pittman was the trigger man of this robbery crew that traveled to our District for the purpose of kidnapping and robbing marijuana dealers. I commend our excellent prosecutors, the FBI Special Agents, and NYPD detectives whose outstanding work has brought all six defendants to justice for their brutal crimes.”
“With five other defendants, Marcus Pittman orchestrated a kidnapping and armed robbery of two local marijuana dealers before executing a restrained captive in the back of a U-Haul,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Pittman demonstrated an utter disregard for human life by shooting a defenseless rival in cold blood. May today’s plea send a message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable anyone who travels to our city to wage unnecessary violence and death.”
According to court filings and statements made during the proceeding, Pittman and his co-defendants carried out an armed robbery and kidnapping overnight from July 24 into July 25, 2024. They drove from Maryland to Queens with the intent to rob two drug dealers identified as John Doe #1 and John Doe #2. Co-defendants Jerome Waters and William Barnett met with the victims at a stash house under false pretenses before brandishing weapons.
After restraining both victims with zip ties inside the stash house, Pittman and others forced them into vehicles—a Jeep and a U-Haul van—while stealing approximately 30 pounds of marijuana from the location. The group then drove through Queens with both victims still restrained at gunpoint. Jalon Garrett held John Doe #2 at gunpoint while Pittman guarded John Doe #1 in the U-Haul van driven by Calvin Israel. Shortly after, Pittman shot John Doe #1 inside the van’s rear compartment.
The group returned to Maryland following the incident. First responders later found John Doe #1’s body still bound by zip ties among bags of marijuana.
All five co-defendants—Barnett, Delonta Pittman (Marcus’s brother), Waters, Garrett, and Israel—have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in these crimes and are awaiting sentencing.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which coordinates efforts among federal, state, local, tribal law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime through locally based strategies.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Adam Amir from the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.
Defendant:
– Marcus Pittman (“Nacho”/“Cheese”), age 30, Baltimore
Co-defendants who have pleaded guilty:
– Delonta Pittman (“D Lo”), age 31
– Jerome Waters (“the Engineer”/“Rome”), age 23
– Calvin Israel, age 23
– William Barnett, age 27
– Jalon Lenny Garrett, age 20
E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 24-CR-413 (S-2) (KAM)
