Gang member pleads guilty to role in fatal shooting of Poughkeepsie 15-year-old

A member of the "Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation" gang has admitted his role in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old Poughkeepsie High School student in 2020.

Brandon Soto pleaded guilty to federal charges on Oct. 27 for his connection to the killing of Jalani Jones, who was shot to death in the city of Poughkeepsie on Sept. 21, 2020.

Soto, a 25-year-old Brooklyn resident who is known as "Stacks," pleaded guilty in White Plains federal court to racketeering conspiracy, providing a firearm to a minor with reason to believe the minor would commit a crime of violence, and conspiracy to commit arson.

Soto remains in custody and his sentencing is scheduled for April 6, 2023. His attorney declined to comment.

Soto faces up to 35 years in prison, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

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Authorities have not said who pulled the trigger shortly after 6 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2020, when Jones was shot at the corner of Main and Clinton streets in Poughkeepsie.

The indictment alleged that Soto drove with a co-conspirator to Poughkeepsie that day and aided and abetted in the assault and murder of a minor.

Candles placed on North Clinton Street near Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie on September 22, 2020. A 15 year old was shot and killed wile walking on N Clinton Street Monday evening.
Candles placed on North Clinton Street near Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie on September 22, 2020. A 15 year old was shot and killed wile walking on N Clinton Street Monday evening.

In the killing of Jones, Soto was accused of giving a handgun to a juvenile whom he knew intended to use it to commit murder, according to an indictment. On Sept. 25, 2020 in Manhattan, Soto burned a BMW car that was used in the killing of Jones, records show.

The investigation led to 18 alleged members of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang being charged with various offenses that included robbery, racketeering and drug distribution in New York City and the Hudson Valley, including Westchester. The shooting of Jones was part of the gang's criminal activities, according to the indictment.

Sixteen people have been convicted in this case, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Michael P. McKinney covers growth and development in the Lower Hudson Valley for the USA Today Network.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie shooting: Man admits role in killing of teen Jalani Jones