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Ex-leader of Brooklyn anti-violence 'GodSquad' gets probation for child endangerment
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Ben Feuerherd
Published Apr 24, 2026
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Ben Feuerherd / Gothamist
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Apr 24, 2026
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The former leader of a Brooklyn anti-violence nonprofit was sentenced to probation on Friday after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor for endangering the welfare of a child.
Judge Donald Leo sentenced Edward Richard Hinds to three years of probation at a brief hearing in Brooklyn Supreme Court Friday morning. Hinds previously led the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, a robust anti-violence group based in East Flatbush that’s known as the GodSquad.
Hinds pleaded guilty in February to a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child after he was indicted in 2024 on seven criminal counts, including sexual misconduct and criminal sexual act in the third degree.
At the time of his indictment, the Brooklyn district attorney’s office accused Hinds of engaging in sex acts with his victim, who was younger than 17 at the time. The sexual contact happened in December 2022, the indictment states.
The indictment does not describe how Hinds came into contact with the victim, but the GodSquad said in a statement that he was a “minor connected to our program.”
Hinds did not speak at the sentencing hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes on Friday. He did not respond to questions outside of the courthouse. The case was prosecuted by the Staten Island DA’s office after the Brooklyn DA’s office recused itself.
Hinds, who was born in Jamaica, was named interim director of the GodSquad in 2022 and led the anti-violence nonprofit for more than a year until he was accused of wrongdoing in 2024.
The advocacy group promotes communication and cooperation between Brooklyn residents and the NYPD in an effort to curtail violence in East Flatbush and across the borough. It has received millions of dollars in city contracts for the work in recent years, according to data kept by the city comptroller’s office.
In response to the sentencing, the GodSquad's board chair Pastor Louis Straker Jr. said in a statement that it was painful to confront Hinds’ misdeeds.
“While this outcome brings a level of legal closure, we recognize that matters of this nature leave a lasting impact, and our hearts remain with all those affected,” Straker said.
“Over the past year, we have taken meaningful steps to strengthen our organization, including reinforcing internal safeguards, enhancing oversight, and ensuring that all of our programs operate within safe, accountable and transparent environments,” he added.
Tagged
brooklyn
public safety
Ben Feuerherd
Ben Feuerherd covers public safety and policing for WNYC and Gothamist. He previously covered federal courts for The New York Post and The Messenger. His work has also appeared in POLITICO, the Daily Beast and NBC New York. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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