Earlier today in Brooklyn federal court, Abel Mora, also known as “Moreno,” was sentenced to 135 months in prison by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis. Mora, identified as a member of the Trinitarios street gang, had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to a Hobbs Act robbery and discharging a firearm during an incident in East New York on August 13, 2023, where he robbed and shot an individual. After his guilty plea and while detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, Mora attempted to smuggle contraband into the facility. On June 24, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession of contraband in prison.
The sentencing was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.
“Mora not only shot and robbed a man in Brooklyn, he subsequently attempted to smuggle drugs, weapons and other contraband into prison,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office has zero tolerance for inmates that make jails less safe and will continue to aggressively prosecute gang members who victimize the public by engaging in gun violence and put innocents at risk as they go about their day.”
Nocella expressed appreciation for the efforts of the FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force and NYPD’s 75th and 101st Precincts during this investigation and prosecution.
“Abel Mora, a Trinitarios gang member, boldly attempted to smuggle drugs and weapons into a federal detention center despite previous convictions related to a gunpoint robbery and public shootout. His sustained propensity to criminality displays a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of others and the law. May today’s Operation Coast to Coast sentencing emphasize the FBI’s determination to hold accountable any gang member who jeopardizes the safety of our communities and our prisons,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.
“Abel Mora showed exactly why he is a danger to society – first by recklessly shooting and robbing New Yorkers in plain view, and then by trying to smuggle weapons and other contraband into a federal detention center,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “Today’s sentencing is a strong reminder that we will stop at nothing to identify and dismantle street gangs like the Trinitarios that are placing our communities at risk. I thank the NYPD investigators, all our law enforcement partners, and the prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work getting this dangerous criminal off our streets.”
Court documents show that Mora committed two shootings on August 13, 2023—one in Queens around 1 p.m., where he fired at a vehicle following an altercation captured on video surveillance; this incident caused neighborhood residents including children to flee for safety. Later that night outside 3441 Fulton Street in Brooklyn around 9 p.m., Mora used the same firearm in another shooting during which he robbed his victim’s backpack near a busy corner store with customers present inside and outside.
Mora was arrested on September 26, 2023 at his home. Authorities recovered from his bedroom radiator the firearm used in both shootings; it was loaded with thirteen rounds.
While detained at MDC after pleading guilty, Mora along with several co-defendants tried to bring contraband—including a scalpel, cell-phone charging equipment, lighters, cigarettes, and illegal narcotics—into MDC using a rope system documented by surveillance cameras inside the facility.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emily J. Dean, Dana Rehnquist, and Russell Noble from both Organized Crime and Gangs Section as well as General Crimes Section.
Abel Mora is age 24 from Far Rockaway, New York.
