February 05, 2012

Brooklyn Girl Recants Testimony on Alleged ‘Bloods’ Sex Ring

August 31, 2010 | BROOKLYN COLLEGE

By Jacqueline Cahill and Martin Hladik

A 15-year-old girl who had accused an alleged Bloods gang member of sex trafficking, has recanted her grand jury testimony, it was revealed today in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Judge John Walsh adjourned the trial pending an investigation into this new development in the case of Lathaniel Mccoy, who was indicted on several counts of promoting prostitution and sex trafficking, as well as endangering the welfare of a child.

“If the testimony is based on perjury, I am going to make a motion to have the testimony dismissed because the indictment was based on lies,” said Mccoy’s attorney, Pamela S. Roth.

Another alleged victim, who refused to testify in front of the grand jury, also sent Roth a signed affidavit stating that police forced her to give a false statement accusing Mccoy, the lawyer said.

Mccoy is one of eight people accused of running several prostitution rings around the Bushwick, Brownsville, and East New York neighborhoods, for which prosecutors contend that young girls, some from middle school, were recruited.

The Brooklyn D.A.’s office did not comment. The defendant’s next court appearance was scheduled for October 12.