Does anybody remmeber the Wild Cowboys era in Washington Heights?

Things were crazy back then, i remember the cowboys when they use to come to DYCKMAN and chill on 204th and POST, one of them had that pearl lexus coupe when they first came out. The 90's were crazy we use to go to highbridge and rumble with f.k and m.b.s the tiroteos afterwards were crazy and its funny cuz the same dudes we had beef with was the same ones we was gettin money with when we got older!!

Hey Big T, I do remember buying mesculin from jew park and weed from the fat brothers, then go and smoke it at the view.(where the long metal structure overlooking the bridge).

As far as the spanish culture movies, you hear alot about Black and White people from the streets that made a difference or not. Not many about latinos.

FYI. RUBEN was just released from JAil! And deported to DR..

i grew up in cypress 141 been there since 1975 i knew alot of them. nobody know how cypress was until they lived there

I grew up with them i have two brothers in that gang there names are Danny and Victor alot of stuff in that book is a lie u just have to ask the ones that were there i also grew up with Lenny an his brother Nelson and another true friend but he's like my other brother Jose aka PAC we grew doing alot of stuff on the block like football stickball everything u could imagine we did it all an don't forget one more guy Jimmy that's all.

I remember the when they use to send me to new jersey to buy cam2 racing gasoline for the bikes an we use to race before there was alot of fun back in the days the late 80's and the early 90's were the best days for anybody that grew up that time.

I remember those days very well seems like yesterday when all the guys~ The Ball Busters chiquitin and them to the Royal Playboys Lenny Pasqualito were making so much money you see them rap videos of today our generation lived it. 20 -30 bottles of the best champagne at every table they would compete who had the most bottles on their section But uptown stuck together at the clubs mad young pushing jaguars porsches Bmw Benz Ferraris at 16 17 18 as their first cars. Letting the bums of Brooklyn & Queens know who was Money Making Manhattan.

is this neric lol

Big N ny_ny wrote:

I grew up with them i have two brothers in that gang there names are Danny and Victor alot of stuff in that book is a lie u just have to ask the ones that were there i also grew up with Lenny an his brother Nelson and another true friend but he's like my other brother Jose aka PAC we grew doing alot of stuff on the block like football stickball everything u could imagine we did it all an don't forget one more guy Jimmy that's all.

Big N ny_ny wrote:

I grew up with them i have two brothers in that gang there names are Danny and Victor alot of stuff in that book is a lie u just have to ask the ones that were there i also grew up with Lenny an his brother Nelson and another true friend but he's like my other brother Jose aka PAC we grew doing alot of stuff on the block like football stickball everything u could imagine we did it all an don't forget one more guy Jimmy that's all.

Hey neric whats cooking. I hope you are doing well. Last time I ran onto you was in the Bronx in some kitchen cabinet place. Stay cool

in jail without no bail

Defendant Information

Indictment: 5292/2002

1. Nicholas Bohan*(Age-Unknown)
640 West 171st Street, Apt. 2B
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree
Max. Exposure: 16 2/3 to 50 years

2. Jose Garcia* A/K/A “Chino”(Age-27)
615 West 172nd Street, Apt. 4C
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 3rd degree
Max. Exposure: 37 ½ to 75 years

3. Raymond Martinez*(Age-28)
285 Fort Washington Avenue, Apt. 23
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree, C.S. Marijuana 2nd degree (2 counts)
Max. Exposure: 38 to life

4. Reynaldo Montilla* A/K/A “Gordo”(Age-24)
709 West 170th Street, Apt. 53
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S. Marijuana 2nd degree
Max. Exposure: 11 1/3 to 32 years

5. Michael Polanco A/K/A “Tek”(Age-19)
544 Academy Street, Apt. 47D
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree (2 counts)
Max Exposure: 25 to life

6. John Swift*(Age-27)
1365 St. Nicholas Avenue, Apt. 3S
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree (2 counts)
Max Exposure: 37 ½ to 75 years

7. Christopher Torres* A/K/A “White Chris”(Age-23)
707 West 171st Street, Apt. 1F
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree, C.S. Marijuana 2nd degree
Max. Exposure: 53 ½ to life

8. Jose Valette* A/K/A “Ho”(Age-26 or 27)
1420 Amsterdam Avenue, Apt. 4E
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree
Max. Exposure: 25 to 50 years

Indictment: 5293/2002

1. Alberto Augustine A/K/A “Ramon”(Age-50)
226 West 150th Street, Apt. 6E
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree (2 counts)
Max. Exposure: 50 to life

2. Rolando Cruz*(Age-Unknown)
Address: Unknown
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree
Max. Exposure: 33 1/3 to life

3. Francis Delarosa (Age-26)
500 West 171st Street, Apt. 5B
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree (2 counts)
Max. Exposure: 62 ½ to life

4. Juan Fereira* A/K/A “Flecha”(Age-38 or 39)
1253 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree (4 counts), C.S.C.S. 2nd degree (3 counts), C.S.C.S. 3rd degree (4 counts)
Max. Exposure: 166 2/3 to life

5. Juan Carlos Ferrara A/K/A “Brincas”(Age-22)
2102 Amsterdam Avenue, Apt 3E
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree (3 counts), C.S.C.S. 3rd degree
Max. Exposure: 41 2/3 to 125 years

6. Juan Garcia (Age-30)
212 Broadway Terrace, Apt. 28
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree
Max. Exposure: 37 ½ to life

7. Vincente Lopez* A/K/A “Negron”(Age- 37)
1253 St. Nicholas Avenue, Apt. 6E
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree (5 counts), C.S.C.S. 2nd degree (2 counts), C.S.C.S. 3rd degree (2 counts)
Max. Exposure: 165 2/3 to life

8. Samuel Polanco A/K/A “Geraldo”(Age-28)
1253 St. Nicholas Avenue, Apt. 6E
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree
Max. Exposure: 37 ½ to life

9. Jose Reyes Ventura (Age-35)
27 Audubon Avenue, Apt. 8
New York, NY
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 1st degree (2 counts)
Max. Exposure: 58 1/3 to life

10. John Doe A/K/A J.D. Papa (Age-Unknown)
Address: Unknown
Charges: Conspiracy 2nd degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree
Max. Exposure: 33 1/3 to life

Indictment: 5294/2002

1. John Hildalgo*(Age-22)
500 West 171st Street, Apt. 3A
New York, NY
Charges: C.S.C.S. 1st degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree
Max. Exposure: 33 1/3 to life

2. Antonio Wilton* A/K/A “Africa”(Age-28)
601 West 192nd Street, Apt 5C
New York, NY
Charges: C.S.C.S. 1st degree, C.S.C.S. 2nd degree
Max. Exposure: 37 ½ to life

*- In Custody

@ westside, that's not the Wild Cowboys. That indictment happened like 8-10 years old and that didn't even have anything to with the real cowboys. I remember the cops and D.A. tried to amp it up by calling them the Young Cowboys and trying to imply that this was the new generation of cowboys but it was bullshit. I know a few people charged on this indictment and was particularly close to John Hidalgo, aka Studd. This was just a bunch of weed and nickel-n-dime coke dealers with nothing in common with each other, but the NYPD tried to link them together and make it look like it was this major conspiracy and tried to tie them in with the Wild Cowboys, it was a fucking joke.

So don't get this confused with the real Wild Cowboys (or the Lenny Boys, as we knew them back then).

I think the trailer is dope and can't wait to see the finished product. To be honest I'm a little envious though because I always wanted to put together a documentary on them myself and even joked around with Lenny and Nelson's brother, Burt. about it a few times.
I just hope they really do the story justice because it's an incredible and amazing story of not just rags to riches but of an incredible era in NYC. The crack era was the most devastating period this city and country has ever and probably will ever see, yet somehow my fondest memories are from those days. It really was like the Wild. Wild, West and it started on the streets of Washington Heights.
I hope the documentary really explores not just Wild Cowboys rise and fall, but also the whole Washington Heights. How a small community of mostly immigrant Dominicans became the epicenter of the nation's drug trade. Much has been said about Harlem's drug lords but to be honest many dudes from the Heights would put them guys to shame, real talk. There's no telling how much money went through the Heights. The difference is that the guys in Harlem spent their money in Harlem so everyone saw all the fancy cars, businesses, etc. but a lot of the money made in the Heights went back to the Dominican Republic to build mansions, housing complexes, malls, gas stations, nightclubs, etc. The Dominican Republic was practically built on the money made in the streets of Washington Heights.
I also hope the documentary goes back to Yayo and how ingenious it was of him to start selling crack in such small portions. Keep in mind people were freebasing for years but they usually had to buy a few grams raw (which was very expensive in those days) then cook it themselves, some may remember when comedian Richard Pryor burnt his face freebasing. Yayo's idea of selling it already cooked and in small affordable portions literally changed the game forever and when he recruited Lenny and Nelson it was over.
Another thing I hope the documentary touches on is the fact that while Lenny, Nelson and the rest of their crew were going wild, shooting, murdering, kidnapping, etc., in the Bronx and Washington Heights everything was alright but as soon as they shot a White Boy on the Westside Highway it was the beginning of the end for them. I think that's worth noting because it seems that's why things got so out of control in those days because the mentality of law enforcement, from the NYPD to the LAPD and everywhere in between was let THEM all kill themselves and we'll just come through and clean up the mess. but as soon as it spills over and affects THEM then they start investigations and start demanding justice however when it was confined to the hood they didn't give a fuck.
And last but not least, I hope the documentary explains what made Nelson turn on his own crew. I never in a million years thought that would happen, I knew that someone was going to start talking or had already started talking because to arrest that many people someone had to be talking but for Nelson who I remember saying "snitches get stitches" back in the day start working with the cops that was totally unexpected. So if they get an interview with Nelson or Lenny explaining why they turned on their crew then I'll definitely pay whatever the cost of the DVD is. And an interview with Pasqualito, Platano, Danny or any of the others about how they feel about what Nelson did would be crazy!

I'm just glad that the their story is finally going to be heard because for years I've been hearing about all these other supposedly street legends and I just laugh and think they were nothing compared to the Lenny Boys aka the Wild Cowboys. Finally the world will know their story.

I think the trailer is dope and can't wait to see the finished product. To be honest I'm a little envious though because I always wanted to put together a documentary on them myself and even joked around with Lenny and Nelson's brother, Burt. about it a few times.

I just hope they really do the story justice because it's an incredible and amazing story of not just rags to riches but of an incredible era in NYC. The crack era was the most devastating period this city and country has ever and probably will ever see, yet somehow my fondest memories are from those days. It really was like the Wild. Wild, West and it started on the streets of Washington Heights.

I hope the documentary really explores not just Wild Cowboys rise and fall, but also the whole Washington Heights. How a small community of mostly immigrant Dominicans became the epicenter of the nation's drug trade. Much has been said about Harlem's drug lords but to be honest many dudes from the Heights would put them guys to shame, real talk. There's no telling how much money went through the Heights. The difference is that the guys in Harlem spent their money in Harlem so everyone saw all the fancy cars, businesses, etc. but a lot of the money made in the Heights went back to the Dominican Republic to build mansions, housing complexes, malls, gas stations, nightclubs, etc. The Dominican Republic was practically built on the money made in the streets of Washington Heights.

JAY I am trying to figure out who you are I see you moved to staten island
my homie david friscos brother lives in staten island too

Jay 171 wrote:

I think the trailer is dope and can't wait to see the finished product. To be honest I'm a little envious though because I always wanted to put together a documentary on them myself and even joked around with Lenny and Nelson's brother, Burt. about it a few times.
I just hope they really do the story justice because it's an incredible and amazing story of not just rags to riches but of an incredible era in NYC. The crack era was the most devastating period this city and country has ever and probably will ever see, yet somehow my fondest memories are from those days. It really was like the Wild. Wild, West and it started on the streets of Washington Heights.
I hope the documentary really explores not just Wild Cowboys rise and fall, but also the whole Washington Heights. How a small community of mostly immigrant Dominicans became the epicenter of the nation's drug trade. Much has been said about Harlem's drug lords but to be honest many dudes from the Heights would put them guys to shame, real talk. There's no telling how much money went through the Heights. The difference is that the guys in Harlem spent their money in Harlem so everyone saw all the fancy cars, businesses, etc. but a lot of the money made in the Heights went back to the Dominican Republic to build mansions, housing complexes, malls, gas stations, nightclubs, etc. The Dominican Republic was practically built on the money made in the streets of Washington Heights.
I also hope the documentary goes back to Yayo and how ingenious it was of him to start selling crack in such small portions. Keep in mind people were freebasing for years but they usually had to buy a few grams raw (which was very expensive in those days) then cook it themselves, some may remember when comedian Richard Pryor burnt his face freebasing. Yayo's idea of selling it already cooked and in small affordable portions literally changed the game forever and when he recruited Lenny and Nelson it was over.
Another thing I hope the documentary touches on is the fact that while Lenny, Nelson and the rest of their crew were going wild, shooting, murdering, kidnapping, etc., in the Bronx and Washington Heights everything was alright but as soon as they shot a White Boy on the Westside Highway it was the beginning of the end for them. I think that's worth noting because it seems that's why things got so out of control in those days because the mentality of law enforcement, from the NYPD to the LAPD and everywhere in between was let THEM all kill themselves and we'll just come through and clean up the mess. but as soon as it spills over and affects THEM then they start investigations and start demanding justice however when it was confined to the hood they didn't give a fuck.
And last but not least, I hope the documentary explains what made Nelson turn on his own crew. I never in a million years thought that would happen, I knew that someone was going to start talking or had already started talking because to arrest that many people someone had to be talking but for Nelson who I remember saying "snitches get stitches" back in the day start working with the cops that was totally unexpected. So if they get an interview with Nelson or Lenny explaining why they turned on their crew then I'll definitely pay whatever the cost of the DVD is. And an interview with Pasqualito, Platano, Danny or any of the others about how they feel about what Nelson did would be crazy!
I'm just glad that the their story is finally going to be heard because for years I've been hearing about all these other supposedly street legends and I just laugh and think they were nothing compared to the Lenny Boys aka the Wild Cowboys. Finally the world will know their story.

Naa, I'm not living in Staten Island I don't know why is says that. I'm living in Brooklyn now but my Moms is still on the block (171) so I'm still up there alot. My name is John (Big fat kid, lol), you might not remember me cause I was a little too young to really roll with them in the beginning, although I played football on the block with them (full tackle with equipment and everything, I remember we had the black and yellow Steelers jerseys). They use to kick my ass!!! Cause I was always big for my age. Lenny and Nelson loved sports and were crazy on the football field too. I remember our rivalry was with Wee Wee and his team from, I believe it was, 188 Street. Lenny and Nelson were extremely competitive and went HARD. I remember one day we were practicing in Highbridge Park and Frente (remember him?) said something that Nelson didn't like and they squared off. It was a crazy fight with shoulder pads on and no helmets, it looked like a hockey fight. That was one of the best fights I ever seen. Nelson got the best of it and then we all continued practicing (including Nelson & Frente) as if nothing ever happened, those were the days. I also remember one day we were playing touch football in the street and Lenny and David had a little squabble, David was a lot skinnier so it wasn't really a good match but after a few punches (mostly Lenny's punches) we all continued playing and that was that. In those days you could shoot a fair one and when it was over it was over, those were the days!

And of course I know David and may he rest in peace Frisco, and their other brothers Hippie (el Feo's partner, who should be coming home soon), Derek who always stayed clear of "the business" and even their little sister Jennifer who's a school teacher now.

Man I miss Frisco till this day he was one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

And a little trivia fact for all the youngsters reading this they never named themselves "The Wild Cowboys" in fact they never named themselves anything. Back in those days everyone in the street just knew them as the Lenny Boys. Legend has it that the name Wild Cowboys came from the cops who while doing survellience on them saw them wearing Dallas Cowboys jerzeys and felt that was a good name for them and it really was, fit them to a tee cause those days it was like the Wild West out here and they were Wildest of all the Cowboys out here.

you definately were from the block I knew a fat johnny who used to hang with a cat named ruben.
do you know a kid named allen well he was my partner
and yes I do remember frente He was a funny cat and one time lennys best buddy until frente started hitting the pipe
btw nelson was crazy nice with his hands
and regarding lenny and nelson snitching yea it also suprised the hell out of me
I used to be in the bullpen talking about all kinds of shit with him not knowing that he had already turned, but I tell you one thing they snitched not because they were soft but just because they are cold hearted they do not care about nobody and by that time there was a lot of friction between the selpuvedas and pac victor and especially fat d

Jay 171 wrote:

Naa, I'm not living in Staten Island I don't know why is says that. I'm living in Brooklyn now but my Moms is still on the block (171) so I'm still up there alot. My name is John (Big fat kid, lol), you might not remember me cause I was a little too young to really roll with them in the beginning, although I played football on the block with them (full tackle with equipment and everything, I remember we had the black and yellow Steelers jerseys). They use to kick my ass!!! Cause I was always big for my age. Lenny and Nelson loved sports and were crazy on the football field too. I remember our rivalry was with Wee Wee and his team from, I believe it was, 188 Street. Lenny and Nelson were extremely competitive and went HARD. I remember one day we were practicing in Highbridge Park and Frente (remember him?) said something that Nelson didn't like and they squared off. It was a crazy fight with shoulder pads on and no helmets, it looked like a hockey fight. That was one of the best fights I ever seen. Nelson got the best of it and then we all continued practicing (including Nelson & Frente) as if nothing ever happened, those were the days. I also remember one day we were playing touch football in the street and Lenny and David had a little squabble, David was a lot skinnier so it wasn't really a good match but after a few punches (mostly Lenny's punches) we all continued playing and that was that. In those days you could shoot a fair one and when it was over it was over, those were the days!
And of course I know David and may he rest in peace Frisco, and their other brothers Hippie (el Feo's partner, who should be coming home soon), Derek who always stayed clear of "the business" and even their little sister Jennifer who's a school teacher now.
Man I miss Frisco till this day he was one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
And a little trivia fact for all the youngsters reading this they never named themselves "The Wild Cowboys" in fact they never named themselves anything. Back in those days everyone in the street just knew them as the Lenny Boys. Legend has it that the name Wild Cowboys came from the cops who while doing survellience on them saw them wearing Dallas Cowboys jerzeys and felt that was a good name for them and it really was, fit them to a tee cause those days it was like the Wild West out here and they were Wildest of all the Cowboys out here.

Another tidbit of trivia for anyone who reads this and doubts the relevance of the Wild Cowboys in NYC's drug gang history and feels that maybe the people here, who lived it, are exagerating a bit.

In the classic movie about the 80's crack epidemic " New Jack City" starring Wesley Snipes and Ice T, there's two references to the Wild Cowboys. The first is an indirect reference but in the second it's clear they're talking about the Wild Cowboys. Towards the beginning of the movie when Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) introduces his crew to the "new" crack cocaine he says "the Columbians and Dominicans have shown us the way" (at the 12:00 mark). Then the second, and most direct, reference is when Nino Brown cut the Italians out and the mobster goes back and tells his boss about it. In the scene at the bar he says, "the snitch was right, Nino and his Cash Money Monkeys over there they're dealing with those spicaroos up on Broadway and 171st, he don't even deny it" (at the 24:00 mark). Of course we know that Lenny, Nelson, Danny, Pasqualito, etc. lived on 171st Street between Broadway and Fort Washington Avenue.

I remember that because when New Jack City was first released a whole crew of us from 171 street (between Audubon & Amsterdam) went to the 24 hour theater in Times Square (remember that? it was grimey and nasty but the only place to watch a movie at 3am, after closing the spot. lol) anyway when they said that we went wild in the theater because they actually mentioned our block in a major feature film about drugs, it was crazy.

No doubt my brother, I'd love to be a part of that on any level, let me know.