A member of Brooklyn’s 5-9 Brims gang is facing life in prison after being found guilty of murdering a member of a rival gang, prosecutors with the Eastern District of New York announced Monday.
Marvin Pippins, also known as “Mukk,” was convicted by a federal jury on April 24 for the murder of Sean Peart, a Real Ryte gang member, by shooting at him six times while he sat in a car in Bedford Stuyvesant on December 19, 2015.
He was also found guilty on counts of racketeering conspiracy, murder conspiracy, narcotics trafficking and use of a firearm.
“As found by the jury, Pippins brazenly committed a gang-related murder with a gun, in broad daylight in Brooklyn, taking another human’s life on behalf of his criminal enterprise which also trafficked drugs and perpetrated fraud in our community,” said Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Evidence presented at the two-week trial showed that Pippins and other members and associates of the 5-9 Brims engaged in drug trafficking and fraud, and committed acts of violence — including murder — between January 2012 and December 2019.
Prosecutors also alleged that Pippins sold crack and cocaine and committed numerous financial frauds, including possession and use of stolen identities, fraudulent checks and access devices such as credit cards and bank account information.
“Pippins will now face very serious consequences for a brutal crime that was motivated by a senseless feud with rivals,” Peace said. “Today’s verdict demonstrates the commitment of this Office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent gangs that threaten the safety of our communities.”
The court heard that during the seven year period, the 5-9 Brims were feuding with a rival faction, known as “Real Ryte,” whose members also operated in the borough.
Pippins testified at the trial that he had killed Peart to avenge his brother’s death and not to boost his status in the 5-9 Brims gang. He told the court he believed he would be killed next by the person who had killed his brother.
This defense was rejected by the jury. A source close to the case said that Peart was in California at the time of Pippin’s brother’s murder and did not carry out the killing.
When sentenced, Pippins faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment.
