Long Island Gang Member From Gets 22 Years In Conspiracy, Sending 'Clear Message': DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A 20-year-old man was sentenced to 22 years in prison in connection with a long-term investigation into violence committed by members of the violent criminal street gang, the Bloodhound Brims, from August 2021 through February 2024, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney's office said Monday.

Joel Badger, 20, of Medford, pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy and first-degree robbery in January, making him one of 31 defendants charged and now convicted, according to Tierney's office.

Badger's attorney, Chase Brown of Central Islip, said that his client "was facing in excess of 50 years but this plea guarantees a fixed sentence" that allows "a second chance" for him once he gets out.”

Tierney said Badger's sentence "should send a clear message to all gang members that gang violence will not be tolerated in Suffolk County."

“I promised the people of Suffolk County that we would make sure gang members in our community are held accountable for their actions," he said. "I promised that not only would we bring consequential, long-term conspiracy indictments, but we would also follow through on those indictments and ensure that the defendants go to prison for a significant period of time."

"This case is a perfect example of that," he added.

Badger was an active member of the Brims, according to prosecutors.

In February 2024, following an investigation led by the DA's Gang Task Force and the Suffolk police, 31 members and associates of the Brims were charged in a 103-count indictment covering three long-term conspiracies and 34 separate incidents, including 18 shootings, three armed robberies, and the recovery of 12 loaded handguns used in 13 shootings, prosecutors said.

Badger was convicted for his role in a conspiracy to commit murder with fellow gang members from August 2021 through February 2024, and he committed violence at the direction of higher-ranking gang members to earn status or promotions within the gang, according to prosecutors.

One of the acts of violence was the murder of Kimberly Midgette, a 44-year-old schoolteacher, who was shot and killed in Hempstead by members of the gang on April 1, 2023, prosecutors said.

Badger, who, along with others, mistakenly believed her to be a rival gang member, is currently pending prosecution for the substantive murder charge in Nassau County, according to prosecutors.

He also pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery for when he and two others lured an unsuspecting victim to a parking lot in Ridge on Sept. 27, 2023, prosecutors said, adding, that the victim arrived, Badger displayed a firearm and robbed the victim before one of his accomplices slashed the victim with a knife.