STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Gorilla Stone Mafia has become a prominent gang in the borough of Staten Island in recent years.
Earlier this week it was tied to another shooting. A 53-year-old man shot and killed outside the Stapleton Houses Monday was identified as the father of reputed “Gorilla Stone Mafia” gang leader John Pena.
Here is a look into the Stapleton-based gang and its inner workings.
GANG OVERVIEW
The Gorilla Stone Mafia is a subset of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation, both of which are factions of the United Blood Nation, commonly referred to as the East Coast Bloods, authorities say.
The Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation made headlines in 2020 with the arrest of 18 alleged members, who authorities tied to various crimes across several communities in New York state. Prosecutors at the time claimed the founder of the gang leads a disciplined hierarchy of members who assault rivals, deal drugs and even scam COVID-relief programs through a sham nonprofit, the Daily News reported.
On Staten Island, the Gorilla Stone Mafia was described by one police source as a “pretty big set,” with what he described as “definitely more than 20 (members).” He said the crew spans across multiple police precincts and has been investigated over the years for shootings, robberies and trafficking hard drugs.
While known to congregate in the Stapleton area, the gang recruits members from across the Island.
Court documents describe the UGSN as a criminal organization that is as vast as it is ruthless. Comprised of a “prison lineup” and “street lineup,” the gang is run out of the New York prison system by Dwight (Dick Wolf) Reid, authorities say. The city’s local sets are referred to as “caves,” while the gang is reported to also have a presence in North Carolina and Florida.
JOHN PENA
John Pena is the reputed leader of the dangerous street gang, “Gorilla Stone Mafia.” (File photo)
The younger Pena is accused of shooting and killing Mark Bajandas, of Mariners Harbor, while Bajandas was visiting the memorial of a former Gorilla Stone Mafia member, Avanti Brock, who was killed in 2020.
Pena, who is behind bars, is also linked to another fatal shooting. He is accused of killing Francisco (Franky) Gonzalez, 23, in June 2021 while the victim slept in his New Brighton home. The victim was shot three times — twice in the temple and once in the cheek.
Mario Gallucci, the attorney representing John Pena, said his client “completely denies the allegations against him and is looking forward to his trial.”