Trini extradited to New York for murder

Gareth Vialva, also called "Volvo," was escorted to Miami by two US Marshals aboard American Airlines flight 1818. They later connected to another aircraft and landed at JFK International Airport, New York, where Vialva was taken into federal custody.

Vialva is suspected of being a member of a notorious gang in the United States. On November 14, Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls ordered that Vialva be extradited to face the charges. Mc Nicolls found that the US government had presented a prima facie case to the court for Vialva be extradited.

Vialva was arrested by members of the Interpol Branch headed by Sgt Wendell Williams at a house at Perkins Street, Arouca, in July. They were assisted by officers of the Northern Division Task Force.

Attorney Ian Brooks appeared for Vialva, while the US government was represented by David West and Sunita Harrikissoon.

Vialva was indicted on May 25, 2005, on charges of murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and illegal use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted in the US, he faces a sentence of life imprisonment. Vialva’s arrest warrant was issued by Joan Azrack, US Magistrate Judge, sitting in the US District Court, Eastern District of New York.

Six other gang members were arrested on a 26-count indictment on the same day, but FBI and NYPD intelligence officers reported that Vialva fled to Guyana before sneaking into Trinidad. The other gang members were charged with five murders, the shooting of two NYPD officers, a 13-year-old boy, and rival gang members.

According to the court documents, Vialva is suspected to be a member of a violent gang operating in Brooklyn, New York. The gang is known as the Folk Nation, Black Gangstas, and Black Gangsta Disciples. The Folk Nation is a nationwide gang active in numerous cities and prisons across the United States.

According to the documents, the Folk Nation gang is active in Brooklyn, where it is alleged they have murdered, shot at, stabbed and robbed members of several rival groups in the area. It is also alleged that they murdered and shot innocent bystanders.

Vialva is charged with the October 14, 2001, murder of Tabatha Buckman, the 34-year-old manager of a fast food restaurant in Brooklyn. Buckman was caught in the crossfire while Folk Nation members attempted to kill rival gang members believed to have been inside the restaurant.

According to the summary of facts, Vialva drove two fellow gang members in his car to get a gun from another gang member for the purpose of attempting to murder rival gang members. According to the Assistant US Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, Vialva was aware of the plan and agreed to participate in the murders. After collecting the gun, it is alleged that he drove his car with the two gang members past the restaurant.

One gang member, acting as a lookout, signalled Vialva to pop the trunk so that another member in the trunk could begin shooting. This was done. It was there that Buckman was shot dead. It is also alleged that Vialva then drove to a gas station where he and the gang members vacuumed the shell casings from the shooting out of the trunk.