DA: Feud between man charged in drug ring and rival lead to RPD officer’s murder

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Drugs, guns, and cash have been seized – and 12 people charged – after 17 busts across Monroe County.

The alleged ringleader is 29-year-old Rasheem Sullivan aka “Coop”, who investigators say was involved in a violent feud with another drug organization headed by Brandon Washington aka “B-Mac.” Investigators believe the feud lead to the murder of Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz. Sullivan is among the individuals named in the federal complaint.

The raids took place Wednesday in Rochester, Greece, and Sweden: the result of a long-term narcotics investigation, according to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.

Eleven guns, nine handguns, one assault rifle and one automatic shotgun were confiscated. Twenty-three grams of suspected crack cocaine, 8 grams of suspected cocaine, 320 grams of suspected fentanyl comprised in hundreds of pills, 6.8 pounds of suspected marijuana, 50 pounds of K2, 3.45 pounds of suspected marijuana laced with fentanyl and $22,464 in cash.

The 12 charged include: Michael Nesmith, 26; Evion Smith, 29; Stephen McCloud, 20; Rasheen Ross, 18; Zakiar Ross, 18; and Promys Pressley, 22. The remaining six arrests are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.

• Michael Nesmith was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
• Evion Smith was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia
• Stephen McCloud was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia
• Rasheen Ross was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia
• Zakiar Ross was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia
• Promys Pressley was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.

Mazurkiewicz was shot and killed on Bauman Street on July 21. His partner, Officer Sino Seng, was wounded.

He was 54 and a 29-year veteran.