Topline: A Bronx woman admitted she lied under oath while backing a self-defense claim in the federal murder trial of Kevin Perez.
Published: July 26, 2026 7:04 am ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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NEW YORK, NY — A Bronx woman has admitted she lied under oath while testifying for the defense in the federal murder trial of Kevin Perez, a high-profile Manhattan case that included racketeering, murder, attempted murder, and firearm charges.
According to a Justice Department announcement, Ashanti Washington, also known as “Shani Boni,” pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky to perjury tied to Perez’s March 2025 trial. Prosecutors said Washington testified on March 17 and 18, 2025, and lied about central facts connected to the murder charge Perez was facing.
Federal prosecutors said Perez, who also goes by “Kay Flock,” claimed at trial that he shot the victim in self-defense. Washington, who was with Perez at the time of the killing, falsely told jurors the victim had threatened to shoot and kill Perez, but she has now admitted that threat never happened.
The government said Washington’s false testimony had an immediate and direct impact on evidentiary rulings during the trial. Perez was later convicted on racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, and a firearm discharge count, acquitted on the murder count, and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Washington, 24, now faces up to five years in prison on the perjury charge. The release said the case is assigned to U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels and did not indicate whether Washington’s guilty plea could affect any part of Perez’s underlying case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Woman Admits She Lied About Death Threat While Testifying in Murder Trial
A Bronx woman admitted she lied under oath while backing a self-defense claim in the federal murder trial of Kevin Perez.
By Randy Shaw
Published: July 26, 2026 7:04 am ET
NEW YORK, NY — A Bronx woman has admitted she lied under oath while testifying for the defense in the federal murder trial of Kevin Perez, a high-profile Manhattan case that included racketeering, murder, attempted murder, and firearm charges.
According to a Justice Department announcement, Ashanti Washington, also known as “Shani Boni,” pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky to perjury tied to Perez’s March 2025 trial. Prosecutors said Washington testified on March 17 and 18, 2025, and lied about central facts connected to the murder charge Perez was facing.
Federal prosecutors said Perez, who also goes by “Kay Flock,” claimed at trial that he shot the victim in self-defense. Washington, who was with Perez at the time of the killing, falsely told jurors the victim had threatened to shoot and kill Perez, but she has now admitted that threat never happened.
The government said Washington’s false testimony had an immediate and direct impact on evidentiary rulings during the trial. Perez was later convicted on racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, and a firearm discharge count, acquitted on the murder count, and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Washington, 24, now faces up to five years in prison on the perjury charge. The release said the case is assigned to U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels and did not indicate whether Washington’s guilty plea could affect any part of Perez’s underlying case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Woman Admits She Lied About Death Threat While Testifying in Murder Trial
A Bronx woman admitted she lied under oath while backing a self-defense claim in the federal murder trial of Kevin Perez.
By Randy Shaw
Published: July 26, 2026 7:04 am ET
NEW YORK, NY — A Bronx woman has admitted she lied under oath while testifying for the defense in the federal murder trial of Kevin Perez, a high-profile Manhattan case that included racketeering, murder, attempted murder, and firearm charges.
According to a Justice Department announcement, Ashanti Washington, also known as “Shani Boni,” pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky to perjury tied to Perez’s March 2025 trial. Prosecutors said Washington testified on March 17 and 18, 2025, and lied about central facts connected to the murder charge Perez was facing.
Federal prosecutors said Perez, who also goes by “Kay Flock,” claimed at trial that he shot the victim in self-defense. Washington, who was with Perez at the time of the killing, falsely told jurors the victim had threatened to shoot and kill Perez, but she has now admitted that threat never happened.
The government said Washington’s false testimony had an immediate and direct impact on evidentiary rulings during the trial. Perez was later convicted on racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, and a firearm discharge count, acquitted on the murder count, and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Washington, 24, now faces up to five years in prison on the perjury charge. The release said the case is assigned to U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels and did not indicate whether Washington’s guilty plea could affect any part of Perez’s underlying case.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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