DA: Bloodhound Gang Banger Gets 22 Years

A Bloodhound Brims gang member who admitted taking part in a murder conspiracy tied to the mistaken killing of an innocent Long Island schoolteacher has been sentenced to 22 years behind bars.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced Joel Badger, 20, of Medford, received the prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree conspiracy and first-degree robbery. He was one of 31 Bloodhound Brims members and associates charged in a sweeping 103-count indictment following a years-long gang investigation.

Authorities said the investigation uncovered three criminal conspiracies, 18 shootings, three armed robberies and the seizure of 12 loaded handguns linked to 13 shootings. All 31 defendants have now been convicted.

According to prosecutors, Badger admitted participating in a conspiracy from August 2021 through February 2024 in which gang members committed violence to gain status within the Bloodhound Brims.

The conspiracy included the April 1, 2023 killing of 44-year-old schoolteacher Kimberly Midgette in Hempstead. Prosecutors said gang members mistakenly believed Midgette was a rival gang member before fatally shooting her. Badger remains under prosecution in Nassau County on the substantive murder charge.

Badger also admitted taking part in an armed robbery in Ridge on Sept. 27, 2023. Prosecutors said he and two accomplices lured a victim to a parking lot, where Badger displayed a handgun before another suspect slashed the victim with a knife.

“This sentence should send a clear message to all gang members that gang violence will not be tolerated in Suffolk County,” Tierney said. “I promised the people of Suffolk County that we would make sure gang members in our community are held accountable for their actions.”

Justice Anthony S. Senft Jr. sentenced Badger to 22 years in state prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.