Connecticut's 960 Gang Loses Another Member to Life Sentence

A Member of the Notorious 960 Gang Receives a Life Sentence

For the second week in a row, a member of Waterbury’s notorious 960 gang has been sentenced to life in prison. Twenty-nine-year-old Malik Bayon, also known as “Pop” and “Dirt,” was handed a life sentence by a federal court in Bridgeport, along with an additional five-year term for his crimes. Prosecutors have accused him of committing multiple murders, engaging in drug trafficking, and participating in other violent acts.

Bayon was arrested on September 16, 2021, and during his apprehension, he was found flushing fentanyl down a toilet. Law enforcement also discovered a gun, extended magazines, and ammunition in his home. Since that time, he has remained in custody.

In February of the previous year, Bayon was found guilty of several serious charges, including conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, murder, and two counts of causing death using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. These convictions marked a significant step in the ongoing effort to combat the activities of the 960 gang in Waterbury.

The investigation into Bayon and his associates was part of a larger multi-agency operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Waterbury Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). These agencies are working together to address drug trafficking and the associated violence in the area.

The case against Bayon stems from a 36-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Hartford on September 14, 2021. This indictment charged Bayon and 15 other members of the 960 gang with a variety of offenses, including racketeering, murder, attempted murder, assault, gun possession, drug trafficking, and obstruction of justice.

Key Incidents Linked to Bayon

During the trial, evidence revealed that on October 31, 2017, Bayon joined other members of the 960 gang in a drive-by shooting near Porter and Bank streets in Waterbury. The incident targeted members of a rival gang, resulting in one person being injured. Investigators recovered 17 shell casings at the scene, which were linked to four different guns.

On November 22, 2017, Bayon and fellow gang members Zaekwon McDaniel and Tahjay Love shot at Clarence Lewis and Antonio Santos, who were in a car outside a Waterbury restaurant. The vehicle fled the scene at high speed before crashing, and both victims later died. Evidence showed that shell casings from two of the guns used in this shooting were connected to the earlier incident on October 31, 2017.

Another incident occurred on December 29, 2017, when Bayon, McDaniel, and Love shot and injured a father of a rival gang member who was taking out the trash in front of his home. The gang members had previously filmed themselves wearing sky masks in front of the location before carrying out the attack.

Gang Activities and Criminal Behavior

To promote their gang, Bayon and his associates created rap videos that glorified violence, gun possession, and drug dealing. Many of these videos contained lyrics directly tied to criminal activities committed by the gang.

McDaniel and Love, who were also involved in the gang, have both been found guilty of various charges. On September 9, McDaniel was sentenced to life imprisonment with a mandatory 10-year consecutive term. Love is awaiting sentencing.

These cases highlight the ongoing struggle against organized crime in Waterbury and the broader Connecticut region. The efforts of law enforcement agencies continue to focus on dismantling such groups and bringing those responsible for violent crimes to justice.