Two members of the Bronx-based 5zzly crew, part of the Blood Hounds Brims gang, have pleaded guilty to carjacking charges at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Jaquell Blackwell entered his plea on August 20, 2025, while his co-defendant Abdoul Azika pleaded guilty earlier on July 9, 2025. Both cases were heard before United States District Judge Allyne R. Ross. Each defendant faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The announcement was made by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Field Office.
“Blackwell and Azika, wielding weapons and threats of grievous harm, forced their victims to give up their vehicles and instilled terror in their communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “They will now be held accountable for their crimes, and our Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to eradicate gangs responsible for violent crime.”
Nocella also thanked the Nassau County Police Department for its assistance with the case.
“Jaquell Blackwell and Abdoul Azika committed a series of violent carjackings by brandishing weapons to forcibly steal cars from their victims,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “These gang members repeatedly terrorized our communities by threatening violence to ensure fearful compliance. The FBI continues to facilitate successful disruptions via Operation Summer Heat by protecting our citizens from violent offenders.”
Court documents show that both defendants were involved in armed carjackings and robberies throughout New York City and Long Island as members of the 5zzly crew. They each admitted guilt for a carjacking that took place early on March 19, 2023, when they approached a vehicle parked in Garden City, threatened the driver with a knife and gun, ordered him out of the car using forceful language, then stole the vehicle after he complied.
Additionally, Blackwell admitted to another armed carjacking in Elmont on June 7, 2023. Azika acknowledged responsibility for two more armed carjackings that occurred in South Farmingdale and Massapequa on June 5, 2022.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca M. Schuman and Kamil R. Ammari from the General Crimes Section.
Abdoul Azika is age 21; Jaquell Blackwell is age 20; both are residents of Bronx, New York.
