Repeat Offender Released Early Accused of Plotting Attack on Rival Drug Dealer
In a shocking turn of events, Joseph Baker, a recidivist gangbanger, was accused of orchestrating an attack on a rival drug dealer while behind bars. He allegedly ordered five fellow gang members to shoot the rival in the legs in exchange for $10,000. However, when authorities went to arrest Baker at Cayuga Correctional Facility, where he was serving time for drug possession, he had mysteriously disappeared.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney expressed frustration over Baker’s early release, pointing the finger at Governor Kathy Hochul for allowing a violent offender like Baker back on the streets. Tierney emphasized that the early release disrupted their investigations and compromised public safety.
Baker’s release was part of a larger effort by Governor Hochul to ease prison overcrowding amid a statewide corrections staffing shortage. However, Tierney noted that Baker did not have suitable housing upon release, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the policy.
State prison records show that Baker was serving time for felony drug possession at Queensboro Correctional Facility before being released after a parole board interview. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly also criticized Hochul for releasing scores of inmates early due to the staffing crisis.
Indictment and Investigation
Baker, along with Lavell Leftenant, Isaac Smith, Ibn Turner, Dashad Eubanks, and Amber Vasquez, were indicted for their involvement in the alleged attack on the rival drug dealer. A multi-agency investigation was launched after two people were shot, including an innocent bystander, and illegal firearms were recovered from the suspects.
Recorded phone calls and digital evidence from the prison led investigators to Baker, who allegedly ordered Turner to carry out the shooting. The indictment includes 23 counts related to the incident, with Baker, Leftenant, and Eubanks held without bail, while Smith and Vasquez are held on bail. Turner is awaiting extradition from Georgia.
Mac Baller Brims Gang Indictment
In a separate announcement, Tierney revealed that 22 alleged members of the Mac Baller Brims street gang were indicted on 167 counts for various crimes committed between January 2021 and April 2025. The charges include 17 shootings, 3 armed robberies, 40 narcotics sales, and possession of 22 illegal firearms.
The indictment sheds light on the ongoing efforts to combat gang-related violence and hold offenders accountable for their actions. Tierney commended law enforcement agencies for their work in uncovering these alleged criminal activities.
Overall, the cases highlight the challenges of balancing public safety with prison population management, especially in the face of staffing shortages and policy changes that impact inmate releases.
