ALLEGED PIMP IS SENTENCED TO A MAXIMUM TERM OF UP TO 12 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR CONSPIRING TO COMMIT MURDER WHILE IN CUSTODY ON RIKERS ISLAND

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that 31 year-old Alfonso Washington, has been sentenced for conspiring to murder an alleged rival pimp while in custody on Rikers Island.

Washington, a predicate felon, of 300 West 139^th Street, Manhattan, was convicted last month of one count of Conspiracy in the 2^nd degree. State Supreme Court Justice Caesar Cirigilano sentenced Washington to an indeterminate term of 6 to 12 years imprisonment. The people had asked for a term of 10 to 20 years imprisonment.

Washington, while being detained at the City jail on Rikers Island, agreed to pay an undercover detective whom he believed to be a "hitman", four thousand dollars to murder a business rival who Washington believed was responsible for an incident in December 2001, in which Washington was shot.

A second defendant, 31 year-old Crystal Rhodes, Washington’s girlfriend, pled guilty last April to one count of Attempted Facilitation in the 2^nd degree, for her role in the conspiracy. Sentencing is set for Tuesday, May 18, 2004 in Part M60.

Washington is scheduled to appear in State Supreme Court, Part T5, on Monday, May 17, 2004, to face the charges on which he was originally detained, Promoting prostitution, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Stuart Levy, and Assistant District Attorney Amir Toossi, of the Investigations Division prosecuted this case.