PHILADELPHIA, PA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern), published as received.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero and announced today that Alexander Malave, 31, of Reading, Pennsylvania, co-founder and Top General of a gang he named the Sevens, was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment followed by a consecutive mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment.
Malave was one of 14 defendants charged with various offenses involving the violent acts of the Sevens gang, whose members represented other gangs such as the Gangster Disciples, Bloods, and Crips. Ten offenders pled guilty. Malave was convicted, along with Karvarise Person, 33; James Goode, 47 and Shaquile Newson, 29, by a jury on June 2, 2022, of offenses including conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise; conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and of a minor; violent crime in aid of racketeering, including kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and discharging a firearm in the course of committing a violent offense - all arising from his leadership in in the “Sevens” gang, which took control over and operated out of a 50-room boarding house on South 4th Street in the City of Reading.
One trial witness testified that when the Sevens gang took over the boarding house, it was “like Russia invading Ukraine.” Malave was one of the gang’s most violence members. In the course of committing his violent offenses, he kidnapped, maimed, assaulted, imprisoned, and otherwise wreaked havoc and harm to those he encountered. For example, during one vicious attack, Malave grabbed a man from behind and savagely used a knife to slice him from ear to ear, causing him excruciating pain and permanent disfigurement. After he was sliced and maimed, the man was kept locked naked in a closet for three days, provided no food or water, during which time the Sevens gang members kept watch and discussed who would kill him. During the course of the three days, the man was also subject to additional beatings. On another occasion, Malave shot another individual in an attempt to demonstrate the Sevens gang’s power and control over the boarding.
“Today’s sentencing ensures the permanent end of Malave’s reign of terror over the City of Reading and the demise of the Sevens gang,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “We will continue to partner with our local counterparts to bring the resources necessary to investigate, prosecute and dismantle violent gangs.
The sentencing of the “Seven’s” leader, Alexander Malave, to a lifetime in federal prison should serve as a warning to criminal organizations that perpetuate violence and terrorize our communities,” said HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker. “HSI’s resolve to disrupt the abhorrent acts and to dismantle the criminal enterprises of gangs in order to restore safety to our community’s streets is and always will be absolute.”
"This Gang and its members were responsible for despicable criminal acts in our community," said John T. Adams, Berks County District Attorney. "Again, I would like to thank our Federal Partners for the collaborative effort with local authorities to dismantle this Criminal enterprise and for seeking Justice for the victims in this case. Hopefully, today's sentencing sends a message that this type of criminal conduct will not be tolerated in our community, and those that violate our Laws will receive significant penalties for their actions. "
“The sentencing of Alexander Malave to life in prison for his role as a leader in the Sevens gang will ensure that he will never again terrorize and prey on innocent victims like he did in the City of Reading,” said Reading Police Chief Richard A. Tornielli. “The Reading Police Department, with our partner law enforcement agencies, will continue to prioritize the investigation and dismantling of criminal organizations that conduct acts of violence in our city. I want to thank Homeland Security Investigations and the US Attorney’s Office for their hard work and collaboration on this and other cases that will continue to make the City of Reading a safer place.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Reading Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sherri A. Stephan and Justin Ashenfelter.
