April 4, law enforcement in Memphis and Atlanta announced a major bust which they said resulted in the arrest ofdozens of leaders in GD. Witnesses said they heard Robinson tell Gangster Disciple members . U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today. Gangster Disciples history and positions of authority, Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion, Memphis and Atlanta announced a major bust. The "Treasurer" assists the governor in collecting dues for each state for the national Treasurer. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. Jurors concluded that the short, thin Dotson after a day of drinking, shot and killed his brother, Cecil Dotson, in the dark early morning hours of March 2, 2008. Investigators said Wednesday'sindictments and arrests are significant because they strikeblows to the gang's leadership. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. "It's a hard reality that many communities across the country do not enjoy a sense of security because of the Gangster Disciples," DOJ investigator David Jaffey said. Attorneys Beth C. Boswell and Annie Christoff of the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Shauna Hale of the Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Memphis, Tennessee serves as the Southern headquarters for Tennessee based street organizations in the Southern United States. Two years later, two of the survivors pointed to their "Uncle Junior" as the man who shot their dad and slashed at them knives, enough to convince the jury that Dotson was guilty of six murders and not the gang members he said committed the crimes. "It's really just about trying to build up a rep.", The teen said gang members are still an everyday encounter for him. This article provides an overview of the Chicago-based Gangster Disciples (GD) criminal gang, which has a history of criminal activity that makes it one of the most powerful and dangerous gangs in the Nation. Crawford was the Gangster Disciples "Chief Enforcer" for the State of Tennessee, meaning he was responsible for Gangster Disciple criminal activity in all of those regions. With the addition of this guilty plea . MEMPHIS, Tenn. Twenty-six people have been arrested as the result of a six-month cocaine trafficking investigation in North Memphis, law enforcement officials announced Thursday. The men arrested in Memphisface federal racketeering and drug charges;some of them even face attempted murder charges. Theotis Evans, 42, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on May 31, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Evans to 24 months; 3 years supervised release. Each defendant faces sentences of up to life in federal prison, not more than a $250,000 fine, plus 5 years supervised release along with a mandatory special assessment. "I don't see how they could have looked at everything in that time," McAfee said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); *Leave a comment below, especially if something is wrong or missing.*. Groups such as the Gangster Disciples, Crips, Bloods and Latin Kings are splintering into neighborhood cells with names like the Choppa Gang in Hickory Hill, Concrete Cartel in East Memphis, 4 Corners in Orange Mound, andDixie Homes Murder Squad,MajorFrank Winston of MPDs Multi-Agency Gang Unit said. The jury was selected in Nashville because of intense local news coverage of the case, and jurors heard more than two weeks' worth of emotionally grueling testimony. According to the superseding indictment, the defendants named in the RICO conspiracy committed attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of cocaine, crack and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidations of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples criminal enterprise and to promote and enhance the members position within the gang. Memphis, TN 38104 (901) 726-0555; Public Inspection File. MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Sixteen people suspected of leading a gang that originated out of Chicago in the 1970s are now in a West Tennessee jail. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. Jessie Dotson's defense contended the massacre was done by gang members who were angry at Cecil Dotson and were seeking to punish him for telling police that one of his fellow "Gangster Disciples" had drugs in the apartment where he was staying. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. by the ballot or the bullet." . Barrett Young, 54, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, on October 17, 2019, U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris, sentenced Young to 18 months; 3 years supervised release. In the 2000s, the music genre gained acceptance after winning an Academy Award for the song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp" from Hustle & Flow. These two large sections are home to a number of Memphis gangs and cliques, numerous apartment complexes, like Ridgecrest, and hoods like Spring Valley, Timberlake, or Schoolfield (SkoolField). Memphis, TN - Two members of the violent "Gangster Disciples" street gang were sentenced to federal prison. Timothy Brown, 39, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on April 2, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Brown to 18 months; 3 years supervised release. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. The DOJ said it had not used RICO in WestTennessee since sentencing Memphis drug lord Craig Petties in 2008. Yolanda Jones covers criminal justice issues and general assignment news for The Daily Memphian. [1][2], Gangs in the Memphis area are concentrated in high crime black neighborhoods like College Park, Hollywood, Hickory Hill, Parkway Village, Westwood, Raleigh, Frayser, Orange Mound, Whitehaven, Binghampton, Klondike and Smokey City; their presence is also felt in the suburbs of Tipton County, Tennessee. In the 1960s, the GD were a dominant force and were the first street gang to appear in Memphis Tennessee in the 1980s. why was waylon jennings buried in mesa az; chop pediatric residency EEO Report. Gangster Disciples in particular, is from the testimo ny of State witness Robert Walker, a f ormer chief of s ecurity f or the Memphis Gangster Disciples. Experienced police officers who have testified have said the attack left a crime scene that was the most gruesome they've seen. . Johnny Smith, 61, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on November 14, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays Jr., sentenced Smith to 60 months; 4 years supervised release. The Gangster Disciples are part of the "Folk Nation." Some members will claim to be members of "Growth and Development" and out of criminal activity. YG QT [400 Murda Gang]For every four men in Memphis, two will eventually join a gang. "It's like putting the Crips and Bloods together in a national convention. John Horn, the US attorney in Atlanta, said: 'These charges show how a national gang really can wreak havoc on communities across the country.'. Membership dues are collected and budding gangsters are taught to peddle drugs or torch their cars and homes to collect insurance money. Only subscribers can view or add comments. Everyone in town expected this to be a whipping. Members of the Gangster Disciples are accused of committing murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, credit card fraud, robbery and extortion. This prosecution was brought as part of the Department of Justices Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/16-alleged-gangster-disciples-members-indicted-federal-racketeering-charges. The fact that this star is known as the Star of David pays homage to co-founder David . U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today. ", 19 Gangster Disciples members were arrested. It was the next day, March 3, before police were called and found Dotson Jr. in the bathtub. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; JPD Gang Enforcement Team; Memphis Police Department; Shelby County Sheriffs Office; 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force; 26th, 25th, and 30th Judicial District Attorneys Generals Offices; Sheriffs Offices for Tipton, DeSoto, Madison, and Fayette Counties; and the Police Departments of Bartlett, Germantown and Columbia. Byron Montrail Purdy, aka "Lil B . On May 29, 2015, a group of Gangster Disciples murdered a recent graduate of Memphis University School. Legal Statement. If a member violates a gang rule, the ChiefEnforcer must authorize a "Kill on Sight" order or a "green light," which authorizes physical punishment against that member. The State of Tennessee was divided into specific area codes that defined the separate divisions or "sets" of the Gangster Disciples. With the addition of these 6 recent guilty pleas, 14 of the 16 gang members have now been found guilty for their roles in the conspiracy. Protecting children by combating the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes. It comes after the Memphis riots on Wednesday night. Crawford will now take a long trip to the federal penitentiary for his violent gang leadership and activity.". Operation Gangsters Paradise finally came to a close Thursday with the law enforcement giving out time to 34 people. 1.3 Demolished. In the 1970's, the leaders of two different Chicago-based gangs, Reducingviolent crime by networking withlocal programs that targetviolent crime and providing these programs with tools to be successful. At the time, the leaders of two different groups, the Black Disciples and the Supreme Gangsters, aligned their groups and created the Gangster Disciples (GD). Roy Rodgers, 54, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on March 12, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Rodgers to 27 months; 3 years supervised release. Were very pleased to deliver justice and to accomplish that, U.S. Attorney Michael Dunavant said. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. (If you want to fight mma/box) "contact us on" uflmightymouse@gmail.com. All rights reserved. The Gangster Disciples first emerged in significant numbers in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1980s, the first modern street gang to do so. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Here's an explanation of the extensive coordination and organization of the infamous gang. He also told someone he killed people as a hit man for the gang. Our commenting policy can be viewed here. Then in October 2015, aGangster Disciples member went before a judgeto answer for killing an18-year-old. Memphis Police Officer B. Johnson stares off into the distance while responding to a homicide call in North Memphis Sept. 17, 2020. All rights reserved. Os Gangster Disciples surgiram em nmero significativo em Memphis, Tennessee, na dcada de 1980, sendo a primeira gangue de rua moderna a conseguir o feito. Ricky Dortch, 56, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on May 31, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays Jr., sentenced Dortch to 15 months; 3 years supervised release. The defense tried to point the finger at several known gang members. Hem; Artiklar; Nummer. While the district attorneys office is turning the page, the information gathered and connections made across the last few years will continue to pay dividends moving forward. The DeKalb County chief of police said they received multiple reports about the officer using illegal drugs. 2 Gang Sets. It's unclear how long each man arrested in this operation will spend in prison if convicted. The focus is on stopping theGangster Disciples'reign of terror in many communities. He testified that during the attack, he went to call for police and tried to fight off his uncle before ending up in the bathtub with a kitchen knife in his head. Coverage of the key happenings in our city including city hall, education, and more. The GD are involved in criminal activity in more than 30 states. 16 suspected Gangster Disciples leaders arrested, RAW: DOJ releases info on Gangster Disciples indictments. The national leader of the gang, known as the chairman, is in prison and is identified in the indictment as L.H [Larry Hoover]. Public Affairs Among those 'governors of governors' charged includeAlonzo Walton, who oversaw a region that included Georgia, Florida, Texas, Indiana and South Carolina; Terrance Summers who oversaw Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida; and Adrian Jackson who was governor of governor for the western states, including California. She previously was a reporter at The Commercial Appeal. "This is a very serious threat. The Knoxville set was known by its area code "865," Chattanooga by its area code "423," Nashville by its area code "615," Columbia by its area code "931," Jackson by its area code "731," and Memphis by its area code "901." GD hasa very structured hierarchical organization. **All Lists Are Currently Being Updated**. In 2021, there were approximately 102 gangs with 13,400 gang members in the city. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. Juan Cisneros, 36, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on April 12, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays Jr., sentenced Cisneros to 121 months; 5 years supervised release. Memphis Gangs Key: Red = Blood/Vice Lords | Blue = Crips/Gangster Disciples | Black = Unknown | Dark Purple = Mixed | Green = former housing projects . MEMPHIS, Tenn. "He had the courage to come in here and point out his uncle.". We're not going to give up. Formed in 1974 as a 60-man operation, the GD has matured into a centralized criminal organization with nearly 30,000 members in . Instead it was a fist fight.". Memphis, TN - Tarius Montez Taylor, a/k/a "T," 30, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. A 12-count indictment was returned by a . The message from these cases is clear: No matter what your role is in the conspiracy, or what your position, title, or gang nickname is, if you are a member of a criminal gang, your days are numbered and there will be a reckoning.". "Gangster Disciples exposed in trial," 2 July 1997,The Pantagraph Bloomington "Big 4: Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, Crips, . MEMPHIS, Tenn. A three-year federal drug trafficking investigation has been completed, with dozens of gang-affiliated drug traffickers being sentenced. Focused mostly on crime and drug trade in Memphis, authorities zeroed in on the Gangster Disciples. These guilty pleas are the latest convictions in a large RICO conspiracy case, "Operation .38 Special", which was originally indicted in May, 2016, charging a total . Gangs in the Memphis area are concentrated in high crime black neighborhoods like College Park, Hollywood, Hickory Hill, Parkway Village, Westwood, Raleigh, Frayser, Orange Mound . 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