This is just one of the more than three dozen gangs found all over Tipton County. 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. We also wanted to know or did we? The organization is ruled by a national leadership of a corporate board-style group, prosecutors said during a three-week trial. Official websites use .gov Craig was a Board Member, the highest-ranking position in the Gangster Disciples. Griffin is in a federal prison in Kentucky. The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. January 25, 2021. Im not saying that, you know, Im going to vote for the guy, Harrell says of Trump. "By arresting these particular king pins we were actually taking off a lot of drugs, but more importantly we were stopping a lot of the violence," Sanders said. The indictment alleges he was conspiring with Anthony Dobbins, another board member, who was among those arrested. Watch what we do. Louisville saw a record breaking 173 homicides in 2020 and as the new year turned, that troubling trend has continued. Basically, they got de facto life sentences for drugs, Khalalah Jackson says of her husband and his co-defendants. The federal indictment was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. 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. Khalalah Jackson, whose husband was freed from prison under the First Step Act in November, was among those at the Robbins food giveaway. 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. One shows an incident in 2003 of how gangs use children to distribute drug. In 1973, Hoover was sentenced to. 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. 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. Yates volunteered at some of them. 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. 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. Several Black Disciple Gangster Nation members were sentenced to prison in 2014, for shooting up an apartment complex in Memphis in retaliation for intimidating a member. Boxes containing a mattress and toys are piled in the arms of a volunteer unloading a truck during an Oct. 15 giveaway in Robbins. Vancito Gumbs, 25, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was a member of the Gangster Disciples while at the . Coach Ezra Hendrickson, Fire looking to prove doubters wrong, Baseball quiz: Remember what happened after Jackie, Kahleah Copper: Precious mettle for the new-look Sky. Among those arrested were Anthony Dobbins, 53, of Troy, and Warren Griffin, 51, of Lancaster, Kentucky, both alleged members of the Gangster Disciples' board who have been operating out of East . Several of its members are known to be active and retired military. sweeping racketeering indictment against the Gangster Disciples. Larry Hoover (1950- ) - BlackPast.org James Yates (right) talks with Robbins Park District president Andrea Roberson about logistics for his food drive. Here are the key players and concepts, according to the indictment. Coach Ezra Hendrickson, Fire looking to prove doubters wrong, Baseball quiz: Remember what happened after Jackie, Kahleah Copper: Precious mettle for the new-look Sky. Though Hoover was not accused of wrongdoing, the indictment alleged that in September 2014, Gangster Disciples members Anthony Dobbins and Warren Griffin discussed how Hoover had recently appointed them as "board members," a powerful position directly beneath Hoover that gave them authority over the gang's national operation. Gangster Disciples Prison Gang Profile & Structure - InfoTracer The DEA labeled Hoovers conviction as the beginning of the end for the Black Disciples Gangster Nation. These are the people who keep gangs like the Gangster Disciples alive, year in and year out, generation after generation. By using InfoTracer you agree to comply with the conditions set forth in the InfoTracer terms of service. That is why it is so significant that todays indictments charge top leaders within the Gangster Disciples. 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. Volunteers unload hundreds of boxes containing food during an Oct. 15 giveaway in Robbins. The "Treasurer" assists the governor in collecting dues for each state for the national Treasurer. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Many were recruited while in prison. Sanders launched a task force in the early 2000s with the DEA in Chicago focusing on taking out the Top 21 major players in organized crime, Gangster Disciples included. We have strong partnerships with Federal agencies and are dedicated to thwarting gang violence. 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. Craig . East St. Louis, Ill. The United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Steven D. Weinhoeft, announced today that seven alleged members of the violent Gangster Disciples gang, including top national and state leaders, have been charged in a federal indictment accusing them of a years-long interstate RICO conspiracy involving multiple murders, drug trafficking, and other crimes. released a report in 2011 that revealed that at least 53 gangs are represented in the military, particularly the branches of the Army. 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. The indictment says the two men threatened to kill anyone who challenged their authority and, on May 18, 2018, shot and killed a rival Gangster Disciples board member on the South Side of Chicago. The health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities, the presidents letter said. All rights reserved. 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. The Black Disciples Gangster Nation is one of the primary drug-dealing organizations in the Midwest, selling up to $100 million in drugs per year. 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 will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate the terror gang members inflict upon our communities, and will exhaust every available resource, including the federal RICO statute, to bring them to justice. The Atlanta case is being investigated by the FBI Atlanta's Safe Streets Gang Task Force (composed of members of the FBI, Alpharetta Police Department (PD), Atlanta PD, Clayton County PD, DeKalb PD, Forest Park PD, GA Dept. Gangster Disciples (Folk Nation): Prison Gang Profile Police search for suspects in string of armed robberies in Radcliff, Louisville man killed days before signing record deal, mother seeking justice, 'We got multiple calls': Suspect in car break-in turns himself in after WHAS11's Crime Stoppers report. The lawlessness these gangs bring to our cities is terribly destructive and oftentimes difficult to prosecute. James Yates was sentenced two decades ago to life in prison after a jury found that he was a governor of the Gangster Disciples in charge of distributing drugs for the street gang in Chicagos south suburbs. Hoover is serving a life sentence in a super-max prison in Colorado. "For a long time, Louisville denied we had gangs, and I said it then, and I say it now, we have to recognize and be transparent that we have gangs, and they're committing a lot of this violence," Sanders said. Hoover has asked a federal judge in Chicago to reduce his life sentence under a reform measure called the federal First Step Act, which allows people convicted of crack-cocaine offenses to challenge their sentences in light of subsequent changes in federal sentencing guidelines. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Tommy Lee Wilkins (Holloway), aka Tommy Gunz, 28, of Memphis, was a member of the security team in Memphis. An official website of the United States government. 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. None of those guys is reverting to the streets and getting involved in crime.. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. BOS, SOS: Brothers (or sisters) of the struggle. Moving swiftly after winning convictions of Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover and other high-ranking gang members two weeks ago, authorities indicted eight additional men Friday in a. 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. The symbol of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation stemmed from the three previous gangs just mentioned above. 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. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Eight fellow soldiers were tried in connection with the death. The U.S. attorney in Atlanta announced on Wednesday a sweeping racketeering indictment against the Gangster Disciples, a multistate criminal organization accused or murder, extortion, drug dealing on a large scale, prostitution, financial fraud and more. (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 . The gang employs a structured hierarchy, with leadership positions such as national "Board Members" and state "Governors." According to the indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a violent street and prison gang founded in the 1960s that has engaged in large-scale drug trafficking and violence throughout the United States. He said, I want to give back to Robbins, Roberson says. The judge hasnt ruled. 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. Why does it take Donald Trump to do something like this? Gangster Disciples leaders sentenced to prison Gangster Disciples history and positions of authority - Action News 5 To enforce discipline among Gangster Disciples and adherence to the strict rules and structure, members and associates were routinely fined, beaten and even murdered for failing to follow the gangs rules. He wasnt supposed to come home at all. A 12-count indictment was returned by a grand jury on April 27, and unsealed today in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia. Many were skeptical, including the Chicago Tribune. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. According to court documents, the Gangster Disciples are a violent gang with a decades-long history of lawlessness and a presence throughout the United States, including in state and federal prisons. Board Members: highest-ranking members after the Chairman. Dobbins is being held in the same prison where Hoover is being held, the federal super-max in Florence, Colorado, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. 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). The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Conor Mulroe and Jeremy Franker of the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali M. Summers of the Southern District of Illinois, with substantial investigative support from the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Northern District of Illinois. You've got grandfathers, fathers and sons all members of a gang, said Jeffersontown Police Chief Rick Sanders. The Memphis case is being prosecuted by David N. Karpel of the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. GD hasa very structured hierarchical organization. We hope this indictment warns the leaders of these gangs that Atlanta is not a good place to do business., As the indictment alleges, the Gangster Disciples flooded communities throughout the southeast and beyond with large amounts of drugs, and ruthlessly used fear, intimidation, and even murder to promote and protect their nationwide criminal enterprise, said U.S. Attorney Stanton. Robinson was revered for breaking the color barrier, but dont forget about those who followed. Gangster Disciples boss Larry Hoover directed gang appointments from On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins are accused of killing Ernest Wilson, a rival Board Member, in Chicago, Illinois. The Black Disciple Gangster Nation changed from a community organization back into a gang with an influx of drugs into the area. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. An official website of the United States government. On April 28, 2018, Clemon, Maxwell and Harris, on orders from Smith, allegedly killed Leroy Allen as part of a leadership dispute at a Gangster Disciples meeting in Bridgeton, Missouri. They are also represented by a black flag (bandana). Glass was also sentenced for firearms crimes. Tennessee Gangster Disciples member known as 'Creeper da Reeper Formed in 1974 as a 60-man operation, the GD has matured into a centralized criminal organization with nearly 30,000 members in Chicago and spreading into at least 35 other States with several thousand more members. Alleged Leaders of Gangster Disciples Indicted on Federal Racketeering After a somewhat-quiet offseason, the Fire are widely picked to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and miss the playoffs again. Members of the gang identify themselves with the six-point Star of David, and pitchforks coming out the top. The BOP'sintelligence componentappreciates 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. Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover appointed 2 gang leaders from By Frank Main and Jon Seidel Jan 26, 2021, 4:55pm PST 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. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins allegedly killed Ernest Wilson, a rival Board Member, in Chicago, Illinois. Yates says he thinks more Americans than ever support moves to rehabilitate ex-offenders, which led to the passage of the First Step Act. We are committed to dismantling violent gangs like the Gangster Disciples and holding their members accountable for criminal conduct., These charges target national and state leaders of one of the most notorious street gangs in America, said Steven D. Weinhoeft, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Polling Place: Is Patrick Kane the greatest Blackhawk ever? Contact reporter Heather Fountaine athfountaine@whas11.comand follow her onTwitter (@WHAS11Heather)andFacebook. The violence perpetrated by the Gangster Disciples in this district and nationwide has long been a particular focus of our top law enforcement agencies. They organize community clean-up events, "Stop the Violence" rallies, and events to feed the homeless as a way to mask their criminal activities. Volunteers from the Jacksons organization were at Yates event, helping unload trucks and handing off boxes of food. With the charges unsealed today, we are taking an important, powerful step in the fight to disrupt and dismantle gangs operating in this region. Other high-ranking members of the gang have been released from prison under the same law. The Black Gangster Disciples became known as, "a young street organization striving for a place of high recognition and respect in the City of Chicago" (Emery, n.d., p. 11). The gang protected its power and operation through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. Frank Smith, 47, of Naperville, Illinois, an alleged national Board Member, is charged withRacketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO)conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. Harrell walked up to one of the food boxes that were being given away in Robbins. These charges show how a national gang like Gangster Disciples can wreak havoc here and in communities across the country, with crimes that run the gamut from murder to drug trafficking to credit card fraud. Date: January 22, 2021 Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov Atlanta Shauntay Craig, aka Shake, and Donald Glass, aka Smurf, both leaders of the national gang, the Gangster Disciples, have been sentenced for racketeering conspiracy involving murder. The Robbins Park District let Yates stage his food giveaway in a parking lot down the street from the suburbs police station. 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,and multiple unsuccessful murder plots. A group of seven men allegedly connected to the gang were indicted in January, among them was Warren Griffin originally from Lancaster, Kentucky. The two rival gangsters united together to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation ( BGDN ). "A Governor is aware of and coordinates much of the (gang's) criminal activity within that state," the indictment says. ", Clean-up crews: These are enforcement teams who work for the Chief Enforcer, administering discipline (including assault and murder) to members who violate the rules. May 4, 2016 1:29 PM PT. 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 indictment filed by federal prosecutors accuses Griffin, also known as 'GG' and 'Big Head' of murdering a rival Gangster Disciples board member in Chicago back in 2018. Sanders said hes happy to be back policing in his hometown of Louisville, but shakes his head at the uptick of killings as of late. 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. On April 28, 2018, Clemon, Maxwell, and Harris, on orders from Smith, allegedly killed Leroy Allen as part of a leadership dispute at a Gangster Disciples meeting in Bridgeton, Missouri. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the information obtained using InfoTracer searches may not always be accurate and up to date as we do not create, verify, or guarantee the accuracy or the amount of information provided through our service. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. According to the indictment, the Gangster Disciples is a violent street and prison gang founded in the 1960's that has engaged in large-scale drug trafficking and violence throughout the United States. Five Gangster Disciple members were convicted after an April . You always have naysayers, he says. Rev. Black Gangster Disciple Nation On The Basis Of The Del Vikings record breaking 173 homicides in 2020 and as the new year turned, that troubling trend has continued. The "Chief of Security" for each state protects the members of gangs within the state. Shauntay Craig, 37, of Birmingham, Alabama, held the rank of Gangster Disciples "Board Member". Law enforcement officials said GDis a highly organized and sophisticated gang. Kentucky man, others facing federal charges for gang activity - WTOL The U.S. attorney in Atlanta announced on Wednesday a sweeping racketeering indictment against the Gangster Disciples, a multistate criminal organization accused or murder, extortion, drug. 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 case was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. NASHVILLE, Tenn., - June 30, 2017 - A federal grand jury in Nashville, Tenn., returned a 40-count indictment yesterday, charging 11 members of the Gangster Disciples with conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise that included multiple murders, including the murder of a witness; a drug distribution conspiracy; and multiple other crimes of violence in aid of The F.B.I. John Harrell, pastor of Proviso Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood, says his Black Men United group has organized many large food drives in the Chicago area and in other parts of the country this year. 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. Some of these teams have names, such as "Hate Committee" or "Blacc Team. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. They'll usually deal cocaine and heroin, according to the Department of Justice. "We can't ignore that.". On April 28, 2018, Clemon, Maxwell, and Harris, on orders from Smith, allegedly killed Leroy Allen as part of a leadership dispute at a Gangster Disciples meeting in Bridgeton, Missouri.