Boxes containing a mattress and toys are piled in the arms of a volunteer unloading a truck during an Oct. 15 giveaway in Robbins. Craig was a Board Member, the highest-ranking position in the Gangster Disciples. By using InfoTracer you agree to comply with the conditions set forth in the InfoTracer terms of service. Larry Hoover was given another life sentence in 1993 after federal officials wiretapped him in prison and charged him with drugs, extortion and running a 30,000-member criminal enterprise from behind bars. 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. 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The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Jeremy Franker and Conor Mulroe 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 th U.S.Attorneys Offices for the Eastern District of Missouri and the Northern District of Illinois. The Governor-of-Governors and Governors set member recruitment goals, enforce gang rules, collect and disperse dues and funds, and approve criminal activity to be carried out by gang members. Emailassign@whas11.com, visit ourFacebook pageorTwitter feed. 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. An official website of the United States government. According to the Chicago police, the Gangster Disciples and other big Chicago gangs have, over the past two decades, fragmented into factions that arent controlled at the top the way they used to be. Polling Place: Is Patrick Kane the greatest Blackhawk ever? of Community Supervision, GA Dept. Larry Hoover made a statement in the 1990s claiming that he had put his violent past behind him and that GD now meant Growth and Development, not Gangster Disciples. Experts theorize that flooding the market with drugs was intentional by politicians to imprison community-oriented blacks and hippies to suppress any dissent and prevent them from voting. Im not saying that, you know, Im going to vote for the guy, Harrell says of Trump. 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. 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. 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. Image from Chicago gang video provided by Jeffersontown Police Chief Rick Sanders, Indiana State Trooper struck, killed by driver accused of attempting to evade police, Beshear confirms 4 dead after severe weather makes its way through Kentuckiana, 'We can handle it': Fans brave the weather for Big Nita's Cheesecake. Murder in aid of racketeering is a death-eligible offense. Rev. ", 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. Official websites use .gov They are heavily organized, using code language to communicate, and have been reported in the news to use children as young as 8 years old to smuggle guns and drugs and carry out gang executions. Murder in aid of racketeering is a death- eligible offense. He reached in to a box and pulled out a copy of a letter from Trump on White House letterhead. Five Gangster Disciple members were convicted after an April . 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. LOUISVILLE, Ky. A group of seven men were indicted on federal racketeering charges in connection to the violent Gangster Disciples gang including an alleged high-ranking member originally from Kentucky, according to a release from the United States Department of Justice. Contact reporter Heather Fountaine athfountaine@whas11.comand follow her onTwitter (@WHAS11Heather)andFacebook. The "Treasurer" assists the governor in collecting dues for each state for the national Treasurer. The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to seeing this campaign through, and once and for all putting an end to the Gangster Disciples' reign of violence.. But recent indictments against Gangster Disciples members downstate and in Atlanta suggest that the corporate structure of the gang has remained in place. The gang protected its power and operation through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. 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. 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. Members of the gang identify themselves with the six-point Star of David, and pitchforks coming out the top. The Black Disciple Gangster Nation changed from a community organization back into a gang with an influx of drugs into the area. Certain defendants were also charged with murder, attempted murder, and various firearms crimes. Yates volunteered at some of them. Robinson was revered for breaking the color barrier, but dont forget about those who followed. Seven alleged members of the violent Gangster Disciples gang, including top national and state leaders, are in custody after multiple arrests this morning for their alleged participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, drug trafficking, and other crimes. This prosecution underscores that coordinated criminal activity will be met with a coordinated and focused law enforcement response by the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local level. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. It is a highly structured. The indictment describes the Gangster Disciples as a violent gang with a long history of lawlessness in the United States. John Harrell, pastor of Proviso Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. Hoover got arrested and went to prison and continued to run the gang from behind bars. We have strong partnerships with Federal agencies and are dedicated to thwarting gang violence. As a street gang, the Gangster Disciples had a board of directors, governors, regents, coordinators and, of course, soldiers to do the dirty work. National gang leader from Birmingham sentenced to 40 years on federal Utilizing firearms to injure or intimidate others cannot be tolerated and there is no question that the public is safer today because of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of all of the agencies that played a part in this investigation., Todays indictment is a result of investigative efforts in our Fairview Heights Resident Agency and strong partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, said Sean Cox, FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Some of these teams have names, such as "Hate Committee" or "Blacc Team. "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. To introduce the criminal nature of the Gangster Disciples to a new member, older members and leaders in the various local groups ordered newer members to commit crimes, including murder, robbery and drug trafficking. An estimated 2,000 people have been identified by police as members of gangs. Gangster Disciples history and positions of authority - Action News 5 "He's checking the money to make sure it's real," Sanders detailed. In 1973, Hoover was sentenced to. Other high-ranking members of the gang have been released from prison under the same law. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen, Samuel Stringfellow, Beth Boswell, and Michelle Parks of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Tennessee. Why does it take Donald Trump to do something like this? Gangster Disciples leader from Birmingham gets 40 years for - al They are also represented by a black flag (bandana). Tommy Lee Wilkins (Holloway), aka Tommy Gunz, 28, of Memphis, was a member of the security team in Memphis. The "Chief of Security" for each state protects the members of gangs within the state. All rights reserved. The indictment alleges he was conspiring with Anthony Dobbins, another board member, who was among those arrested. 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. Vancito Gumbs, 25, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was a member of the Gangster Disciples while at the . 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. Each "count" also has a Chief Enforcer. according to a release from the United States Department of Justice. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John A. Horn of the Northern District of Georgia, U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III of the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge J. Britt Johnson of the FBIs Atlanta Division and Special Agent in Charge A. Todd McCall of the FBIs Memphis Division made the announcement. 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 Gangster Disciples is highly structured, disciplined and deadly, according to U.S. Attorney John Horn in Atlanta. An official website of the United States government. The Gangster Disciples have a clear organizational structure which reportedly includes a chairman, board members, governor of governors, governor, chief enforcer and count. 8 New Indictments Seek to Cripple Hoover'S Gang Dismantling violent gangs at the highest levels remains a priority for the U.S. Attorney's Office., Today's Gangster Disciple arrests across nine states merely marks the first wave of the FBIs strategic campaign to dismantle this violent criminal organization, said Special Agent in Charge Johnson. Law enforcement officials said GDis a highly organized and sophisticated gang. 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. Gangster Disciples history and positions of authority, Judge sets bond for 76-year-old woman accused of killing terminally ill husband, Memphis and Atlanta announced a major bust. This prosecution underscores that coordinated criminal activity will be met with a coordinated and focused law enforcement response by the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local level. Governors typically coordinate much of the criminal activity that occurs within a particular state. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. By Frank Main and Jon Seidel Jan 26, 2021, 4:55pm PST Theres been a need for years.. They also teach new members about gang codes, rules, regulations, and technology. May 4, 2016 / 3:51 PM / CBS/AP. It also promoted the Gangster Disciples enterprise through member-only activities, including conference calls, birthday celebrations of the gangs founder, the annual Gangster Ball, award ceremonies and other events. 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 lawlessness these gangs bring to our cities is terribly destructive and oftentimes difficult to prosecute. The federal indictment was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Further, Gangster Disciples members would teach other members how to commit certain crimes, including frauds and would provide drugs on discount to other Gangster Disciples members for resale. Within Georgia, the leadership of the Gangster Disciples resided mostly in metro Atlanta, yet the reach of the crimes committed extended into far south and west Georgia. Governor of Governors: Regional officer in charge of the governors. The long list of violent crimes alleged in this indictment including two murders and multiple violent assaults make 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. 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. See GD. The Black Disciples Gangster Nation initiate new members with beat-downs by fellow gang members, murders, and other violent crimes. Download the WHAS11 News app now. Two leaders of the Gangster Disciples, a national street gang with roots in Chicago, were sentenced on Friday for a racketeering conspiracy involving murder. Yates says he knows that many prosecutors, law enforcement officers and others will never believe hes now a do-gooder. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Sometimes they wear Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and other teams clothing from their original city, though they do not always match colors. The Drug Enforcement Administration Cape Girardeau Resident Officeinvestigated this case with theATF, 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 indictment was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. They use front organizations to integrate themselves in the communities they live in. Griffin is in a federal prison in Kentucky. Alleged leaders of Gangster Disciples indicted on racketeering charges But he still opposes the release of Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover, whos also trying to get out of prison under the First Step Act. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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 federal racketeering indictment unsealed Wednesday depicts an almost corporate organization spread out over several states. 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. The letters were in every box. Barry Boyce, 44, of Charleston, Missouri, an alleged member of the gang, is charged with RICO conspiracy. Alleged Leaders of Gangster Disciples Indicted on Federal Racketeering 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. The gang is well known for the distribution of narcotics and white collar crimes. 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. The results of that poll, in a word: Oof. Hoover is seeking a reduction in his life prison term. Each state additionally has a "Chief Enforcer," responsible for enforcing the gang's codes and regulations. Racketeering, such as the alleged charges today, brazenly facilitates all kinds of illegal dealings that negatively affect the community. After a somewhat-quiet offseason, the Fire are widely picked to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and miss the playoffs again. GD hasa very structured hierarchical organization. Gangster Disciples Gang Initiation and Colors, a political action committee dubbed V.O.T.E. Craig . May 4, 2016 1:29 PM PT. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. Racketeering, such as the alleged charges today, brazenly facilitates all kinds of illegal dealings that negatively affect the community. 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. 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. 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. 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. Lancaster is in Garrard County, about 100 miles east of Louisville. They'll usually deal cocaine and heroin, according to the Department of Justice. Eleven Alleged Members of the Gangster Disciples Indicted in They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. Yates says he was dumbfounded when he returned to Robbins after getting out of prison. "The violence that we're seeing now concerns me," Sanders said. The gang employs a structured hierarchy, with leadership positions such as national Board Members and state Governors. Each of the defendants is alleged to be a member or leader of the Gangster Disciples and to have conspired to conduct the gangs affairs through a pattern of racketeering. 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. Gang members had suspected the second man might do the same, prosecutors said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Reporting from Washington . how interested you are in the Fire, whose season begins Saturday against New York City FC at Soldier Field. The GD are involved in criminal activity in more than 30 states. Opinions differ on how to define Gangster Disciples. 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. It had a compilation of video captured by police cameras that illustrated the influence gangs had on the streets of Chicago. You have to harm or kill somebody as part of your initiation, there's a lot of torture that might be involved, Sanders said. The DEA labeled Hoovers conviction as the beginning of the end for the Black Disciples Gangster Nation. April 4, law enforcement in Memphis and Atlanta announced a major bust which they said resulted in the arrest ofdozens of leaders in GD. 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. Michael Drummound, 49, of Marietta, was a member of the Gangster Disciples. The letter explained that the food was coming from USDAs Farmers to Families Food Box program. 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.