Prosecutors say a modest house on Brown Street in Riverside doubled as a round-the-clock open air drug market.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney today announced the indictment of several Riverhead-area residents for their alleged roles in an extensive cocaine trafficking network run out of the Brown Street home.
Law enforcement launched an investigation into Timothy McKay Sr. and his home at 20 Brown Street in Riverside in July 2024; McKay allegedly operated a drug market at the residence 24/7, according to the district attorney’s press release.
Members of law enforcement surveilled the home and observed individuals walking up the driveway and into the yard of the residence, where they allegedly purchased narcotics from several of the people indicted, the press release states. An undercover detective with the district attorney’s Fentanyl Task Force purchased cocaine at the home on 26 different occasions from several members of the organization, according to the press release.
The alleged head of the operation was Robert E. “Boy” Love, 71, of Riverhead, according to the district attorney. Love’s home in Riverhead was searched by warrant in June; police recovered over 14 ounces of cocaine from the home and over $11,000 in cash, the press release said.
Love was previously arrested in 2012 after being accused by prosecutors of being the leader of a Bronx-to-Riverhead cocaine trafficking ring. He pleaded guilty to two felony charges in 2013.
In total, 18 search warrants were executed across Suffolk County, Nassau County, and Queens County as a part of the investigation; police recovered 14 ounces of cocaine, over 100 pounds of illegal cannabis, eight operable firearms, ammunition, over $170,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia such as a kilo press, scales, dilutants used in the manufacturing of crack cocaine, and packaging consistent with that used for the distribution of narcotics, according to the press release.
The Riverhead Police Department was involved in the investigation, along with other law enforcement agencies like the Suffolk County Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
“We thank the District Attorney’s Office for its tireless efforts and unwavering partnership with our police department,” Riverhead Police Chief Ed Frost said in a statement. “Together, we remain committed to our shared goal of holding accountable those who peddle poison in our community and threaten the safety and well-being of our residents.”
The following were arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins on July 11, according to the press release:
Robert E. “Boy” Love, of Riverhead was indicted for: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Collins ordered Love held on $2,500,000 cash, $5,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on Aug. 27 and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.
Timothy McKay Jr., 36, of Riverside, was indicted for: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony; Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony.
Collins ordered McKay Jr. held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $2,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on July 29 and faces up to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
Joe McKay, 52, of Riverside, was indicted for: Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony.
Collins ordered MCKAY held on $500,000 cash, $1,500,000 bond, or $1,500,000 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on Aug. 20 and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.
Prince Yellordy, 48, of Freeport was indicted for Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony.
Justice Collins ordered YELLORDY held on $1,500,000 cash, $3,000,000 bond, or $3,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on Aug. 25 and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.
The following were arraigned on the indictment before Justice Collins on July 17, according to the press release:
Timothy “Booty” McKay Sr., 56, of Riverside was indicted for: Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony; and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.
Collins ordered McKay Sr. held on $2,500,000 cash, $5,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on Aug. 22 and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.
Ronald “Boo” Love, 59, of Riverside, was indicted for: Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony.
Collins ordered Love placed on supervised release with GPS conditions during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on Aug. 28 and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.
Aleatra Eleazer, 37, of Northampton, was indicted for: Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.
Collins ordered Eleazer placed on supervised release with GPS conditions; her charges are not eligible for bail under New York State law. She is due back in court on Aug. 26 and faces up to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
Hallock “Hal” Luce V, 40, of Riverhead, was indicted for Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony.
Collins ordered Luce placed on supervised release with GPS conditions; his charges are not eligible for bail under New York State law. He is due back in court on Aug. 26 and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
Two additional people indicted have yet to be arrested and arraigned, the press release states.
“This investigation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations that spew poison into our communities,” Tierney said in a statement. “The defendants in this case allegedly turned a residential neighborhood into an open-air drug market, bringing violence and addiction to the doorsteps of Suffolk County families.”
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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