The indictment describes the Gangster Disciples as a violent gang with a long history of lawlessness in the United States. The judge hasnt ruled. The long list of violent crimes alleged in this indictmentincluding two murders and multiple violent assaultsmake plain the threat to our communities posed by criminal organizations like the Gangster Disciples, said Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. Through his work at the agency they arrested 13 of the 21. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Members of the gang identify themselves with the six-point Star of David, and pitchforks coming out the top. Their children got toys. Certain defendants were also charged with murder, attempted murder, and various firearms crimes. Sean Clemon, 50, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the alleged Governor of the state of Missouri, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Other acts of violence alleged as part of the conspiracy include a nightclub stabbing in East St. Louis, Illinois, a nonfatal shooting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and multiple unsuccessful murder plots. Watch what we do. Robinson was revered for breaking the color barrier, but dont forget about those who followed. Before that, he spent several years working for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Chicago, as the Special Agent in Charge during the early 2000s, describing the gang as having ranks, like a military. For more information on the indictment on the Gangster Disciples members, click here. While in state prison for ordering the killing of a gang member in Chicago in 1973, he was sentenced in 1998 to life in federal prison for running a criminal enterprise the Gangster Disciples . An official website of the United States government. Hoover who prosecutors have called the most notorious gang leader in Chicagos modern history isnt charged in the indictment, which targets leaders of the Gangster Disciples in downstate Illinois and eastern Missouri in a racketeering case that includes two murders. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms says the Black Disciple Gangster Nation remains strong, with 30,000 members around Chicago and in 30 other states. This is a 70-year-old man in the twilight of his years who has serious medical complications and is seeking release to finally be with his wife, children and grandchildren after nearly 50 years of separation, Moore said. About 900 gang factions operate in Chicago today, police say. Anthony Dobbins, 53, of Troy, Illinois, an alleged national Board Member, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. Download the WHAS11 News app now. Hoover attorney Justin Moore said Tuesday he wasnt aware of the new indictment and questioned the idea that Hoover could have been involved in gang affairs from behind bars. Perry Harris, 29, of Cape Girardeau, an alleged Treasurer and Chief of Security for the state of Missouri, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. This investigation demonstrates ATFs commitment and the commitment of our law enforcement partners to ensure that Missouri and Illinois communities remain a safe place to live, work and raise families. Board Members: highest-ranking members after the Chairman. Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. Other acts of violence alleged as part of the conspiracy include a nightclub stabbing in East St. Louis, Illinois; a nonfatal shooting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and multiple unsuccessful murder plots. "We can't ignore that.". Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. The Gangster Disciples are a highly organized and ruthless gang that recognizes no geographical boundaries, and its members have far too long indiscriminately preyed upon and infected the good people of our communities like a cancer. Prosecutors claim Griffin had discussions with Dobbins intending to kill members of their own gang that were resisting the new leadership for a chapter in East St. Louis. Reverend Jesse Jackson was a frequent visitor who encouraged BGDN and other gangs to be politically active in demanding job opportunities in the construction industry and to foster accountability from local businesses. Yates and Harrell see it as ironic that Trump, who has refused to denounce white supremacists, signed the law that allowed Yates, a Black man, to leave prison. Racketeering, such as the alleged charges today, brazenly facilitates all kinds of illegal dealings that negatively affect the community. Sanders said the city must be able to recognize that gang influence is in the streets and identifying that may be the first step in curtailing the trend of unprecedented violence. Harrell, who spent time in prison for financial crimes about 20 years ago, says his goal is to feed people and help rehabilitate ex-offenders like himself. The BOPs intelligence component appreciates the opportunity to assist our federal partners in detecting and disrupting criminal activity related to inmates in the BOP's custody., Investigating organized crime and related financial schemes are a top priority for CI, said Tamera Cantu, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (CI), Chicago Field Office. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. Today, hes distributing a different kind of commodity in those same suburbs: food. Ronald Safer, a defense lawyer who was a federal prosecutor on the Gangster Disciples case, has said hed still prosecute Yates and other ranking members of the gang but would seek significantly less prison time for most. The new indictment says one member of the gang, Anthony Dobbins, told another, Warren Big Head Griffin, in September 2014 that Hoover had appointed them as board members the highest rank in the gangs leadership. The Gangster Disciples is highly structured, disciplined and deadly, according to U.S. Attorney John Horn in Atlanta. Jackson, 48, recently wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber, thanking him for his freedom and saying he and his wife had started several ventures, including a clothing line and The Visionaries Initiative, an anti-violence group. The Federal Bureau of Investigation today announces the arrest of Shauntay Lamarr Craig, an alleged leader of the violent Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise, at New Orleans, Louisiana. "He's pulling a gun from his waistband," Sanders said. We have strong partnerships with Federal agencies and are dedicated to thwarting gang violence. (FBI/Contributed, YHN) Two leaders of the Gangster Disciples, a notorious national gang, were sentenced on Friday in federal court for a racketeering conspiracy involving murder . With the charges unsealed today, we are taking an important, powerful step in the fight to disrupt and dismantle gangs operating in this region. As a street gang, the Gangster Disciples had a board of directors, governors, regents, coordinators and, of course, soldiers to do the dirty work. Larry Hoover is a founder and former leader of the Chicago street gang the Gangster Disciples, and was the Vice President of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation when he combined his gang with the Black Disciple Nation temporarily. "A Governor is aware of and coordinates much of the (gang's) criminal activity within that state," the indictment says. 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Identification: Symbolism plays a large part in the Gangster Disciples' culture. The FBIs Safe Streets Gang Task Forces recognize no boundaries either, and we are committed to identifying, disrupting and dismantling the most violent gangs that seek to harm our communities. Shauntay Craig, 37, of Birmingham, Alabama, held the rank of Gangster Disciples "Board Member". Frank Smith, 47, of Naperville, Illinois, an alleged national Board Member, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen, Samuel Stringfellow, Beth Boswell, and Michelle Parks of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Tennessee. The Gangster Disciples is a violent gang that began in Chicago in the 1970s when the Black Disciples and the Supreme Gangsters merged, the Atlanta indictment says. We aint looking back. Its like 1960 or 1950, Yates says. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. Have a news tip? This case results from investigations by ATF, FBI, Federal Bureau of Prisons, IRS Criminal Investigation, Missouri Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, Bridgeton Police Department, Cape Girardeau Police Department, and Chicago Police Department. The federal racketeering indictment unsealed Wednesday depicts an almost corporate organization spread out over several states. If convicted of the racketeering conspiracy charged in Count 1, each defendant could receive as much as life in prison and a $250,000 fine. In 1973, Hoover was sentenced to. To have his name continuously thrown into the affairs of others and to be used as a scapegoat for criminal activity he has no connection to needs to cease.. CHICAGO (AP) _ Five members of the Gangster Disciples street gang have been indicted in the killings of two fellow gang members, in what one prosecutor Thursday called ``cold, steely, calculated business decisions. One of the victims was cooperating with investigators. Gang members are known to wear Georgetown Hoyas or Duke Blue Devils clothing. We also wanted to know or did we? The lawlessness these gangs bring to our cities is terribly destructive and oftentimes difficult to prosecute. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins are accused of killing Ernest Wilson, a rivalmember in Chicago. Official websites use .gov Warren Griffin, 51, of Lancaster, Kentucky, an alleged national Board Member, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. BOS, SOS: Brothers (or sisters) of the struggle. Each state additionally has a "Chief Enforcer," responsible for enforcing the gang's codes and regulations. Boxes containing a mattress and toys are piled in the arms of a volunteer unloading a truck during an Oct. 15 giveaway in Robbins. This illustrates, when we work together, how effective our law enforcement alliances are in pursuing and eradicating violent street gangs to make our communities safer.. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins are accused of killing Ernest Wilson, a rival Board Member, in Chicago, Illinois. Murder in aid of racketeering is a death-eligible offense. Eight fellow soldiers were tried in connection with the death. Black blocks can strengthen Black communities, cities and states.. Louisville saw a record breaking 173 homicides in 2020 and as the new year turned, that troubling trend has continued. Yates, 51, was freed in April under the federal First Step Act, which allows imprisoned drug criminals like him to seek a reduction in their sentences because of changes imposed after they were sent to prison in the penalties for distributing crack cocaine. Michael Drummound, 49, of Marietta, was a member of the Gangster Disciples. The federal indictment was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. InfoTracer expressly prohibits the use of information you obtain from search results (a) to discriminate against any consumer; (b) for the purpose of considering a consumers eligibility for personal credit or insurance, employment, housing, or a government license or benefit; or (c) otherwise to affect a consumers economic or financial status or standing. The F.B.I. The gang protected its power and operation through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. ForAppleorAndroidusers. In Georgia, for example, the Gangster Disciples brought money into the gang through, among other things, drug trafficking, robbery, carjacking, extortion, wire fraud, credit card fraud, insurance fraud and bank fraud. The Black Gangster Disciples was a gang from chicago that ended up splitting into two separate gangs in the 90s (black disciples (BGDs) and gangster disciples (GDs)).Some gangs still hold the black gangster disciple name out of chicago and never split up. Criminal - Organized Crime and Gang Section. Barry Boyce, 44, of Charleston, Missouri, an alleged member of the gang, is charged with RICO conspiracy. But recent indictments against Gangster Disciples members downstate and in Atlanta suggest that the corporate structure of the gang has remained in place. It also says Dobbins, 53, whos from downstate Troy, a suburb of St. Louis, and Griffin, 51, from Lancaster, Kentucky, threatened to kill anyone who resisted their authority, though it doesnt say how authorities got that information. Perry Harris, 29, of Cape Girardeau, an alleged Treasurer and Chief of Security for the state of Missouri, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. Some of these teams have names, such as "Hate Committee" or "Blacc Team. Governor of Governors: Regional officer in charge of the governors. He was accompanied to the Oval Office by Hoovers attorney, who explained that Hoover is being held in the Colorado Supermax prison alongside killers for economic crimes and that he was unfairly targeted because he was gaining political power from the Chicago community. With the charges unsealed today, we are taking an important, powerful step in the fight to disrupt and dismantle gangs operating in this region. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. They're controlled by a chairman of the board, and then they have a board of directors, one in prison, one outside below those people are the governors and they control the territories," Sanders said. "They were very disciplined, very organized," Sanders said. Flipboard James Yates, a former high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples, formed the Revitalization of Robbins Initiative after his life prison sentence was overturned and he was released in April under the federal First Step Act. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. The RICO conspiracies charged here include attempted murder, narcotics trafficking, extortion, firearms crimes, obstruction of justice and other crimes in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples enterprise and to raise funds for the gang. Im not saying that, you know, Im going to vote for the guy, Harrell says of Trump. Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. Larry Hoover grew up in Chicago and became the leader of the Supreme Gangsters, which merged with a rival gang to become the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. Sanders shared a presentation with WHAS11 News that he created in the early 2000s. Violators may be subject to civil and criminal litigation and penalties. April 4, law enforcement in Memphis and Atlanta announced a major bust which they said resulted in the arrest ofdozens of leaders in GD. Copyright 2016 WMC Action News 5. Yates says he thinks more Americans than ever support moves to rehabilitate ex-offenders, which led to the passage of the First Step Act. But U.S. Attorney John Lausch urged U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber last year to keep Hoover in federal prison for the rest of his life. almost corporate organization spread out over several states. The Black Disciples Gangster Nation colors are blue and black, and they use a Star of David-like tattoo with tridents protruding from the upper angles as their symbol. Yates says he knows that many prosecutors, law enforcement officers and others will never believe hes now a do-gooder. Chief Enforcer: The gang member in each state who is responsible for enforcing codes, rules and regulations of the gang. Basically, they got de facto life sentences for drugs, Khalalah Jackson says of her husband and his co-defendants. The Gangster Disciples have a clear organizational structure which reportedly includes a chairman, board members, governor of governors, governor, chief enforcer and count. Lock An official website of the United States government. None of those guys is reverting to the streets and getting involved in crime.. Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover appointed 2 gang leaders from prison, feds say They're now charged with killing a rival 'board member' of the notorious street gang in 2018 on the South Side. GD hasa very structured hierarchical organization. Anthony Dobbins, 53, of Troy, Illinois, an alleged national Board Member, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. Khalalah Jackson, whose husband was freed from prison under the First Step Act in November, was among those at the Robbins food giveaway. Moms carted away boxes of food, clothing and blankets. The indictment also alleges various acts of drug trafficking by Gangster Disciples members, including an ongoing scheme to smuggle the synthetic drug K2 into Missouri state prisons. Criminal Investigation is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners in this case to bring these criminals to justice.. [citation . Opinions differ on how to define Gangster Disciples. Theres been a need for years.. The Black Disciple Gangster Nation was responsible for the death of Army sergeant Juwan Williams during a brutal initiation beating that included kicks to the head. He reached in to a box and pulled out a copy of a letter from Trump on White House letterhead. Warren Griffin, 51, an alleged Board Member in the Gangster Disciples is originally from Lancaster, Kentucky, according to a federal indictment unsealed in January. If convicted of the racketeering conspiracy charged in Count 1, each defendant could receive as much as life in prison and a $250,000 fine. They also teach new members about gang codes, rules, regulations, and technology. James Yates (right) talks with Robbins Park District president Andrea Roberson about logistics for his food drive. He wasnt supposed to come home at all. He and seven other high-ranking members of the Gangster Disciples have been released from prison under the 2018 law, signed by President Donald Trump with bipartisan support, intended to promote rehabilitation and cut the costs of incarceration. how interested you are in the Fire, whose season begins Saturday against New York City FC at Soldier Field. "He's checking the money to make sure it's real," Sanders detailed. The gang also provided financial and other support to members charged with or incarcerated for gang-related offenses and members who were fugitives from law enforcement were provided safe houses in which to hide from police. record breaking 173 homicides in 2020 and as the new year turned, that troubling trend has continued. Assistant governors collect dues from individual groups, called "counts" or "decks.". This case results from investigations by ATF, FBI, BOP, IRS CI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Missouri Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, Bridgeton Police Department, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Mississippi County Sheriffs Office, and Chicago Police Department. This is just one of the more than three dozen gangs found all over Tipton County. Barksdale died in 1974 of complications from internal damage suffered in a shooting. The availability and accuracy of information is largely dependent on various public sources from which the information is aggregated. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The median income of Robbins, a town of 5,400 a few miles south of Chicago, is only $13,000, according to the last census. The Black Disciple Gangster Nation changed from a community organization back into a gang with an influx of drugs into the area. Information obtained through InfoTracer is not to be used for any unlawful purposes such as stalking or harassing others, or investigating public officials or celebrities. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, were vocal advocates for the law, and Kanye West lobbied for it during a White House visit. The indictment alleges he was conspiring with Anthony Dobbins, another board member, who was among those arrested. May 4, 2016 1:29 PM PT. Yates volunteered at some of them. They'll usually deal cocaine and heroin, according to the Department of Justice. The other shows a gang-related shooting captured by police cameras in the middle of the day. The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A locked padlock He says he got help for his food giveaway from bigger organizations such as Black Men United. An estimated 2,000 people have been identified by police as members of gangs. Gangster Disciples represent with the colors blue and black. Dominque Maxwell, 28, of Cape Girardeau, the alleged Assistant Governor of the state of Missouri, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. Other high-ranking members of the gang have been released from prison under the same law. James Yates, a former high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples, formed the Revitalization of Robbins Initiative after his life prison sentence was overturned and he was released in April under the federal First Step Act. of Community Supervision, GA Dept. Craig was a Board Member, the highest-ranking position in the Gangster Disciples. Hoover is serving a life sentence in a super-max prison in Colorado. Lancaster is in Garrard County, about 100 miles east of Louisville. Reporting from Washington . The BOP takes seriously our mission to protect the safety and security of our correctional institutions and the public, said Miranda Faust, Administrator of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Branch. ATLANTA -- Alleged members of the Gangster Disciples, including high-ranking leaders and a former Atlanta-area police officer who prosecutors say claimed to be a . On May 18, 2018, Dobbins and Griffin shot and killed Earnest Don Smokey Wilson, 65, a rival Gangster Disciples board member, in the 7100 block of South Euclid Avenue in Chicago, according to the East St. Louis indictment.
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