A Manhattan gang member has been sentenced to 25 years in jail for the 2019 killing of Roberto Vasquez, an innocent bystander who was mistaken for a rival gang member. Luis Filpo, 25, had already pleaded guilty to crimes of conspiracy to commit murder in furtherance of racketeering and assault with a dangerous weapon. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the sentence will run consecutively to Filpo’s current state term.
According to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, “Luis Filpo walked up to a car and opened fire, killing Vasquez and wounding another occupant.” He pointed out that Filpo’s error in mistaking Vasquez for a gang foe exacerbated the senseless loss. Clayton praised the meticulous efforts of federal law enforcement and their partners in delivering a strong message to gang members about the harsh repercussions of such illegal conduct, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Filpo’s group, known as the “200s,” operated from Inwood, Manhattan, and participated in various illegal operations from at least 2016 until March 2020. These activities included drug trafficking and violence, such as shootings and murder, with the goal of supporting the gang, protecting its territory, and reinforcing its reputation.
On the evening of January 31, 2019, Filpo and other gang members pursued Vasquez’s vehicle, and when it stopped, Filpo approached it and fired rounds, erroneously targeting Vasquez. When imposing Filpo’s sentence, U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer emphasized the gravity of the crime, noting that Filpo had constituted himself “judge, jury, and executioner,” as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In addition to the prison term, Filpo was sentenced to three years of supervised release. The successful case resulted from significant investigation by law enforcement authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department. The case was handled by the office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit, with Assistant United States Attorneys Mathew S. Andrews, Frank J. Balsamello, Patrick R. Moroney, and Thomas J. Wright leading the prosecution.
