A notorious drug kingpin involved in a Times Square narcotics operation faces unexpected release from prison.
According to the New York Post, Johnny "Ghost" Perez, 32, who operated a $10,000-weekly crack cocaine enterprise in Manhattan, secured early release through President Joe Biden's January mass commutation of federal sentences.
Perez, originally sentenced to eight years in federal prison, was one of nearly 2,500 federal inmates who received sentence reductions from Biden on January 17. Three other members of his drug operation also benefited from the presidential action, marking a significant development in the case that began with their 2021 arrests.
The criminal enterprise, described by authorities as a "24-hour open-air bazaar," operated through a sophisticated shift system at the intersection of 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue. Perez managed the night shift of the operation while his associate Aaron Starks supervised daytime activities. Their strategic location in Times Square enabled continuous drug sales throughout the day and night.
Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York detailed how the operation maintained its presence through carefully coordinated shifts. The morning-to-afternoon team would seamlessly transition to the evening crew, ensuring uninterrupted service to their clientele. The organization's efficiency and structure contributed to its substantial weekly revenue.
A law enforcement source expressed frustration with the commutations, stating to the New York Post:
This falls in line with the prevailing mindset — everyone who comes into the criminal justice system must be a victim. Never mind the fact that these people made it their business to create and exploit victims. Victims of addiction and poverty. It's literally their only business.
Starks, who received a six-year sentence for his role in the operation, also had his term reduced through Biden's commutation. Fellow defendants Sekou Simpson and Davon Mial, serving sentences of 3.5 years and 2 years and 3 months respectively, were among the beneficiaries of Biden's clemency actions.
The mass commutation occurred during Biden's final days in office, alongside 39 presidential pardons. The Bureau of Prisons has not provided additional information regarding the status of other defendants involved in the 2021 raid that dismantled the drug operation.
While prison records indicated Perez was scheduled for release in May, sources confirm he has already left federal custody following the presidential action. The early release of these convicted drug dealers has sparked debate about the implications of mass commutations on public safety and criminal justice reform.
Perez's release comes amid ongoing discussions about federal sentencing reform and presidential clemency powers. His case highlights the broader impact of Biden's decision to commute thousands of federal sentences before leaving office.
The NYPD and federal agents' efforts in 2021 to dismantle the Times Square drug operation now face new scrutiny as key figures return to society earlier than anticipated. Law enforcement officials express concern about the message these commutations send to both criminal enterprises and the communities affected by drug trafficking.
The implications of these releases extend beyond individual cases, potentially influencing future law enforcement operations and prosecution strategies in similar drug trafficking cases.
Johnny "Ghost" Perez led a lucrative crack cocaine distribution network in Times Square that generated $10,000 weekly before his arrest in 2021. His eight-year federal sentence was cut short through President Biden's mass commutation of nearly 2,500 federal inmates on January 17. The presidential action also benefited three other members of his drug operation, raising questions about the balance between criminal justice reform and public safety concerns in New York City's busy tourist district.
