Jamaica woman led Queens gun-running operation, DA says

The Queens DA’s Office showcased the recovered guns at a press conference Wednesday. Photo via Queens DA’s Office/Twitter

By David Brand

A 35-year-old Jamaica woman and two other Queens residents were arrested and charged with dealing illegal guns smuggled from Virginia, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Wednesday.

Jessica Heyliger, known as “Cess Milla,” and another defendant, Sharod King of Woodside, sold nearly two dozen guns to an undercover officer, with the majority of sales taking place in Astoria. The weapons were purchased online and shipped to Heyliger by a third defendant from Virginia, Laquan Benson, prosecutors said.

“Those who profit from selling guns illegally are merchants of death and mayhem,” Katz said in a statement. “Each gun removed from the streets of Queens represents a tragedy that has been averted.”

New York City, including parts of Queens, have seen a rise in gun violence in recent weeks. The number of shootings and gunshot victims has spiked in some Southeast Queens neighborhoods compared to last year, though the overall murder rate has actually decreased.

A fourth defendant, Mitchell Myree of Jamaica, also purchased weapons for Heyliger to resell, Katz said.

Heyliger, King and Myree were arraigned June 21 on a range of charges, including first-degree criminal sale of a firearm, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree conspiracy. 

Heyliger’s current attorney Scott Bookstein declined to comment on the case and said he was expecting a “change of counsel.” Attorneys for King and Myree did not respond to messages.

Benson awaits extradition from Virginia, according to the Queens DA’s Office.