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ROCHESTER — Four defendants, Tyshawn Simmons, 34, Franklin Brock, Jr., 23, Franklin Brock, Sr., 43, and Tina McDonald, 44, all of Rochester,were sentenced in connection with a long-term, violent drug distribution ring in the City of Rochester.
Defendant Simmons was sentenced to 330 months in prison for the murder of Ryan Adams. Franklin Brock, Jr., who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Brock’s father, Franklin Sr., who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, was sentenced to five years’ probation. Tina McDonald, a girlfriend of Tyshawn Simmons, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who handled the case, stated that Simmons murdered Ryan Adams because he believed that Adams had cooperated with law enforcement or intended to do so. Simmons shot Adams six times on Halloween night in 2012, while Adams sat in the driver’s seat of his car on Lincoln Street in Rochester. Adams managed to get out of the car and walk approximately 400 feet looking for help before collapsing.
Franklin Brock, Jr. conspired with Simmons and others to sell drugs. Brock, Jr. admitted to possessing guns during the conspiracy. Franklin Brock, Sr. helped his son sell crack cocaine during the term of the conspiracy.
Tina McDonald conspired with Simmons and others to distribute heroin. Among other things, she stored heroin in her residence where she lived with her children, and brought the heroin out of her residence to give to Simmons and others in the conspiracy for distribution to customers. McDonald also allowed other co-conspirators to store a gun in her residence. That gun was used by co-conspirator Marquis McMillian to shoot someone that he and Simmons suspected of having cooperated with police. After the shooting, McMillian hid the gun in McDonald’s house. Thereafter, another member of the conspiracy came to pick up the gun and, at Simmons’ direction, McDonald showed him where the gun was hidden in her house. McMillian was previously sentenced to 25 years for his role in the conspiracy.
