{"id":22684,"date":"2025-09-12T16:43:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/2025\/09\/12\/alleged-gun-traffickers-held-without-bail-for-transporting-weapons-drugs-to-queens\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T16:43:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:43:18","slug":"alleged-gun-traffickers-held-without-bail-for-transporting-weapons-drugs-to-queens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/2025\/09\/12\/alleged-gun-traffickers-held-without-bail-for-transporting-weapons-drugs-to-queens\/","title":{"rendered":"Alleged Gun Traffickers Held Without Bail for Transporting Weapons, Drugs to Queens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Case<\/h2>\n

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the arraignment of a Jamaica man and his accomplice from Georgia for allegedly transporting illegal firearms and drugs into southeast Queens following a six-month investigation.
\nPhoto courtesy of DA\u2019s office<\/p>\n

The Indictment<\/h2>\n

A Queens grand jury indicted a Jamaica man and his accomplice on weapons and drugs charges for trafficking illegal guns from Georgia into southeast Queens. Teddy Gaston, 39, of Linden Boulevard, and Jezerel Huston, 41, of Macon, Georgia, were arraigned Sept. 9 in Queens Supreme Court on a 194-count indictment charging them with criminal sale of a firearm and other weapons charges, criminal sale of a ghost gun, criminal sale of a controlled substance, conspiracy and other related crimes.<\/p>\n

The Investigation<\/h2>\n

A six-month joint investigation with the NYPD and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed that the duo allegedly worked in concert to purchase firearms in Georgia and transport the weapons to be sold in Southeast Queens. The investigation included undercover buys of more than 70 firearms, ammunition, and drugs from the defendants, with most of the transactions taking place in a McDonald\u2019s parking lot in Rosedale.
\nQueens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the arraignment of a Jamaica man and his accomplice from Georgia for allegedly transporting illegal firearms and drugs into southeast Queens following a six-month investigation.
\nPhoto courtesy of DA\u2019s office<\/p>\n

Details of the Investigation<\/h2>\n

According to the indictment and the investigation, members of the Queens District Attorney\u2019s office, the NYPD, and HSI began a firearm trafficking investigation involving Gaston, known on the streets as \u201cJD Yikes, and Huston in March. Huston would allegedly procure firearms in Georgia, transport them to New York, and provide them to Gaston, who would then sell the weapons in Queens. An undercover officer conducted eight controlled buys with the defendants between April 7 and Aug. 29. The transactions resulted in the seizure of 59 firearms, including seven assault weapons and one ghost gun, 98 fentanyl pills, approximately 100 grams of cocaine and multiple rounds of ammunition. Many of the purchases allegedly took place at a McDonald\u2019s parking lot on Merrick Boulevard and 244th Street in Rosedale.<\/p>\n

Arrest and Charges<\/h2>\n

On Sept. 9, Gaston and Huston were arrested at the intersection of 241st Street and Merrick Boulevard by members of the NYPD, HSI, and Suffolk County Police while on the way to a pre-arranged gun sale transaction. A total of 18 additional firearms, including five assault weapons, were seized during the arrest. Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino remanded Gaston and Huston into custody without bail and ordered them to return to court on Oct. 6.<\/p>\n

Reaction from Authorities<\/h2>\n

\u201cOver the course of six months, members of my Major Narcotics Unit worked in close collaboration with the NYPD\u2019s JFK Task Force Unit and HSI to bring these defendants to justice,\u201d Katz said. \u201cI extend my gratitude to the brave undercover officer who placed himself in harm\u2019s way to help build the case.\u201d \u201cAs alleged, these defendants masterminded a gun and drug trafficking network that funneled firearms, fentanyl, and other narcotics into our neighborhoods and in turn, created a supply line that fueled violence and harmful addiction,\u201d HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel said during the press conference.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The arrest and indictment of Teddy Gaston and Jezerel Huston mark a significant milestone in the efforts to combat gun and drug trafficking in Queens. The case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the need for continued vigilance in the fight against illegal firearms and narcotics. If convicted, Gaston and Huston face up to 25 years in prison.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n