"Hernandez and Perez were arrested earlier this morning and are scheduled to appear for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Seth D. Eichenholtz. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. stated that the defendants are accused of escalating a dispute over drugs into a fatal incident. The prosecution states that a dispute over a drug debt between the defendants and Kornegay, a customer, escalated, resulting in Kornegay taking drugs, money, and other items from Hernandez and Perez."
"They acknowledged the cooperation of the FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force, the NYPD Queens South Homicide Squad, the 102nd Precinct Detective Squad, and the Queens County District Attorney's Office in the case. Nocella stated that his office is committed to preventing deaths related to drug and gun crimes, while Barnacle emphasized the importance of dismantling violent criminal organizations."
Two men, Rafael Hernandez (also known as "Cap" and "Ralphy") and Joibel Perez (also known as "J.P."), were indicted on murder and related federal charges in connection with the February 26, 2021 killing of Akil Kornegay in Queens. Authorities allege a dispute over a drug debt escalated after Kornegay allegedly took drugs, money, and other items, prompting the defendants to pursue and kill him. Text messages between Hernandez and Kornegay show a heated exchange over the debt, with Hernandez demanding payment. Multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies cooperated on the investigation. Conviction could carry life imprisonment.
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