By FOX13Memphis.com News Staff. Only subscribers can view or add comments. All rights reserved. He earned nine life sentences. Forty-eight alleged members of the violent Gangster Disciples Gang - including the top leaders in Tennessee and Georgia - have been charged in two indictments and accused of conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise that included multiple murders, attempted murder and drug crimes. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. Everyone in town expected this to be a whipping. 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Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. Most shockingly, a former Atlanta-area police officer described as a 'bad apple' was also indicted. 3 Almighty Vice Lord Nation: 3.1 Bloods: 3.2 Gangster Disciple Nation: 3.3 Almighty Black P. Stone Nation: However, prosecutors did identify some of the men they expect to face the harshest punishments: As DOJ and local law enforcement made the indictments in WestTennessee known, investigators in northern Georgia made a similar announcement. Defense attorney Gerald Skahan said his client wasn't happy with the verdict, but understood it, as did the defense team. Protecting children by combating the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes. Demarcus Deon Crawford, 36, was sentenced Monday after he pleaded guilty in June to racketeering conspiracy for serving as the gang's "chief enforcer" for Tennessee . "It's like putting the Crips and Bloods together in a national convention. Operation Gangster's Paradise finally . "He had the courage to come in here and point out his uncle.". United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "This case demonstrates our ability and resolve to aggressively prosecute and hold accountable those who engage in organized criminal enterprises and gang conspiracies in furtherance of racketeering. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, and to diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade. The "Chief of Security" for each state protects the members of gangs within the state. Formed in 1974 as a 60-man operation, the GD has matured into a centralized criminal organization with nearly 30,000 members in . 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. Despite Memphis being home to larger nationwide gangs such as the Crips (Hoovers), Bloods (Pirus), GDs, BDs, Vice Lords (Four . In 2015, the cousin of Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham was targeted in a robbery/homicide after a drug deal gone wrong. The leader of each count is called a "First Coordinator" or "First C."A "Regent" is a leader responsible for several counts within a state. (901) 544-4231 MEMPHIS, Tenn. Two boys left to die during a bloody rampage in a Memphis home turned into key witnesses who helped convict their uncle of six murders in one of the city's worst mass slayings. "They also committed assaults, kidnappings, and attempted murders against individuals they believe to be rival gang members," Stanton added. 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Memphis, TN - Tarius Montez Taylor, a/k/a "T," 30, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Copyright 2016 WMC Action News 5. "Gangster Disciples exposed in trial," 2 July 1997,The Pantagraph Bloomington "Big 4: Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, Crips, . "We're not going to stop. Antonio Goss, 43, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, on February 4, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Goss to 120 months; 3 years supervised release. The gang's hierarchy is based on the premise that 'the enterprise will be ready to step in and run the United States should its government fail,' the indictment claimed. . "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. All rights reserved. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today. 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The following defendants pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Memphis over the last 2 weeks: Demarcus Crawford, 35, a/k/a "Trip," entered a guilty plea on June 7, 2019 to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. Rafael Garza, 47, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on July 31, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays Jr., sentenced Garza to 210 months. Gangster Disciples are not strangers to run-ins with the law. It began with the Memphis Drug Enforcement Administration looking into just three suspected drug offenders back in 2016, but ended up having a far larger impact. During the change of plea hearing on June 7, 2019, Crawford admitted that he ordered the shooting of rival gang members for retaliation and to maintain his position within the Gangster Disciples, and that he participated directly and indirectly in the activities of the gang, including acts of attempted murder and narcotics trafficking. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent organizations. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Operation .38 Special demonstrates our ability and resolve to aggressively prosecute and hold accountable those who engage in organized criminal enterprises and gang conspiracies in furtherance of racketeering. " or on the facebook group page" https://www.facebook.com/groups/436928323642135/?re. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/16-alleged-gangster-disciples-members-indicted-federal-racketeering-charges. They wore shirts and ties and spent the time coloring. Memphis, TN - Six Gangster Disciples, including the "Enforcer" for the State of Tennessee, have pled guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity.U.S. Crawford will now take a long trip to the federal penitentiary for his violent gang leadership and activity.". Market data provided by Factset. Gangster Disciple "Chief Enforcer" For the State of Tennessee Sentenced to 25 Years for RICO Conspiracy Memphis , TN - Demarcus Deon Crawford, 36, a/k/a/ "Trip," has been sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect. They started when 20-year-old Brandon Webber was shot by U.S. 1.3 Demolished. Robert Jones, whoissued kill orders, killed people himself, kidnapped people, and sold drugs. Reducingviolent crime by networking withlocal programs that targetviolent crime and providing these programs with tools to be successful. . The counts' Chief Enforcers additionally head up "enforcement teams" and "clean-up crews," comprised of members who enforce the rules and administer discipline against those who do not. Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion, Gangster Disciples the "epitome of organized crime. 1 North memphis. Membership dues are collected and budding gangsters are taught to peddle drugs or torch their cars and homes to collect insurance money. Male members of GD are referred to as "Brothers of the Struggle," and female members are referred to as "Sisters of the Struggle.". 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. EEO Report. Sinaloa Cartel distributor who supplied Crips, Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords for two decades gets 15-year term White House designates most threatening transnational crime groups . Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. One of those indicted included former police officer Vancito Gumbs, who tipped off fellow gang members about police attempts to catch them and claimed he acted as a hit man for the gang. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. The DeKalb County chief of police said they received multiple reports about the officer using illegal drugs. Our commenting policy can be viewed here. One of the main priorities of the Department of Justice is to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations and so, 34 people have now been sentenced for their roles in this. According to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department in 2010, there were approximately 182 gangs with 8,400 gang members in the county. "They might have been thinking about as it was being put forward. Then in October 2015, aGangster Disciples member went before a judgeto answer for killing an18-year-old. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. History: Also known as Black Gangster Disciples, GDs, or BGDs, the gang's origins go back to the 1960s and the south side of Chicago. and I was like, 'No,'" a teenager said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Another indictment unsealed in Memphis, Tenn., charged another 16 alleged Gangster Disciple members, according to authorities. GD hasa very structured hierarchical organization. The DOJ said it had not used RICO in WestTennessee since sentencing Memphis drug lord Craig Petties in 2008. An indictment filed in federal court in Atlanta last week names 32 people and a second indictment in Memphis, Tennessee, charges 16 more. He said he didn't report them to police because he feared for his life. In Atlanta, leaders said the Gangster Disciples have groups, called "counts" or "decks,'' in more than 30 states, especially in the southeastern United States. Unseen Footagesixteen members of the 7th Street Murda Squad were indicted on federal drug charges in Memphis.Members of the Memphis Drug Enforcement Administ. At one point, Cedric pointed at a photo of him in the hospital. In the 1960s, the GD were a dominant force and were the first street gang to appear in Memphis Tennessee in the 1980s. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Rico Fason, 33, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, on May 20, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Fason to 90 months; 4 years supervised release. Marcus Joyner, 35, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on July 12, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced Joyner to 30 months; 2 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. The State of Tennessee was divided into specific area codes that defined the separate divisions or "sets" of the Gangster Disciples. The GD are involved in criminal activity in more than 30 states. Tawana Rice, 42, conspiracy to commit money laundering, on June 18, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Rice to time served; 2 years supervised release. Those same jurors will decide beginning Tuesday if Dotson should be sentenced to death by injection. Will local change happen after Tyre Nichols death? Each "count" also has a Chief Enforcer. 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. Abstract. In 2021, there were approximately 102 gangs with 13,400 gang members in the city. Jackie Arnold, 49, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering, on July 17, 2019, U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Arnold to 180 months; 4 years supervised release. According to Shipp, the defendant was from the Mitchell Heights section of the gang and "at that particular time he was a active chief of security over the entire city of Memphis." As such, the defendant ranked just below Kaos, and because T-Money was out of town, the defendant effectively ranked second in the Memphis Gangster Disciples. Rules and Codes The following written rules were recorded by Jacobs (1983) in the 1970's. . 586. . 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. This office is proud to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to disrupt the Gangster Disciples gang and punish their leaders and members for the violence and lawlessness that they perpetrate across West Tennessee. At the top of the national group is the "Chairman," a man known as L.H. Green's murder was sparked by a fight between members of rival Memphis gangs - the Gangster Disciples and the Vice Lords. "CJ solved it," said prosecutor Ray Lepone. Underneath the Chairman are "Board Members," who maintain contact with state and regional leaders--the "Governor-of-Governors," "Governors," and"Assistant Governors.". The Gangster Disciples began in Chicago after the leaders of two different gangs, the Black Disciples and the Supreme Gangsters, joined forces in the 1970s. Assistant governors collect dues from individual groups, called "counts" or "decks.". Nummer 6 - 2017; Nummer 5 - 2017; Nummer 4 - 2017; Nummer 3 - 2017; Nummer 2 - 2017 [7], In 2013, the FBI arrested Gangster Disciples Folk Nation members[8] on charges of sex trafficking and forced child prostitution. All rights reserved. Memphis, TN - Demarcus Deon Crawford, 36, a/k/a/ "Trip," has been sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Years later, and now a high-ranking Black Disciple, Tony got caught with possession of guns and drugs within 1,000 feet of a school. 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