Gang Member Charged in 2019 Murder of Innocent Bystander

NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Nearly six years after a tragic shooting claimed the life of an innocent bystander on Liberty Street, authorities have arrested a reputed gang member in connection with the crime.

Arrest in Longstanding Case

Federal prosecutors announced that Kalif Cox, a member of the violent Makk Ballas gang, has been charged with the murder of Amed Alberto Alvarado-Baquedano, who was fatally shot on September 21, 2019.

Alvarado-Baquedano had been celebrating his birthday outdoors when he was struck by a stray bullet. He later died from his injuries, leaving the Newburgh community devastated and demanding justice.

Breakthrough from Federal Investigations

The case remained unsolved for several years until federal task forces ramped up pressure on gang networks operating in the Hudson Valley.

In 2023, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force launched “Operation Bandemic,” a large-scale takedown of gang-related activity in the region. That operation generated new intelligence, which detectives continued to pursue.

Detective Chris Nedwetzky, assigned to the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, worked closely with federal agents to build upon those leads. The effort culminated in a follow-up crackdown known as “Operation Vandemic.”

This latest investigation targeted the Forbes List, a violent Middletown-based subset of the national Makk Ballas gang.

The Forbes List Gang

According to investigators, the Forbes List gang ran a sophisticated criminal enterprise that spanned multiple states. Members allegedly used modified minivans to traffic guns and narcotics across the country.

In addition to large-scale drug distribution, the group was accused of carrying out:

Shootings and violent assaults
Firearms trafficking
Armed robberies
Fraud schemes

Authorities say Cox played an active role in this network and that his alleged actions directly connect him to the 2019 Newburgh homicide.

Indictments and Arrests

Earlier this week, prosecutors unsealed a series of indictments that formally charged Cox with the murder of Alvarado-Baquedano. Officials say the arrest represents a major step toward justice for the victim’s family and sends a strong message about the consequences of gang violence.

Multi-Agency Collaboration

The success of the case, investigators note, relied heavily on cooperation among local, state, and federal agencies. The City of Newburgh Police Department worked alongside the NYPD, City of Middletown Police, Town of New Windsor Police, New York State Police, and the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, among other federal partners.

Their combined efforts ultimately broke open a cold case that had lingered in the community’s memory for years.

Justice After Six Years

The indictment of Cox provides long-awaited accountability in a case that had haunted Newburgh since 2019. For many residents, the announcement represents not only justice for Alvarado-Baquedano and his family but also hope that continued enforcement will reduce gang violence in the Hudson Valley.

As the case moves forward in federal court, officials emphasize their commitment to dismantling dangerous networks like the Forbes List and preventing similar tragedies in the future.