Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times 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. Emailassign@whas11.com, visit ourFacebook pageorTwitter feed. Shauntay Craig, 37, of Birmingham, Alabama, held the rank of Gangster Disciples "Board Member". A different world.. 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. Lock He reached in to a box and pulled out a copy of a letter from Trump on White House letterhead. You have to harm or kill somebody as part of your initiation, there's a lot of torture that might be involved, Sanders said. 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. 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 newspaper, however, acknowledged the power of Hoovers political activism to combat systemic racism, which then included a political action committee dubbed V.O.T.E. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Sometimes they wear Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and other teams clothing from their original city, though they do not always match colors. 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. 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. The "Literature Coordinator" maintains contact lists, meeting minutes, membership applications, and other documents. Tennessee Gangster Disciples member known as 'Creeper da Reeper 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. Hoover is seeking a reduction in his life prison term. 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. Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. By using InfoTracer you agree to comply with the conditions set forth in the InfoTracer terms of service. Official websites use .gov Those gangs are generational. Gangster Disciples Gang Initiation and Colors, a political action committee dubbed V.O.T.E. The Atlanta RICO conspiracy indictment names the following defendants and their alleged roles within the Gangster Disciples: Shauntay Craig, 37, of Birmingham, held the rank of Gangster Disciples board member; Alonzo Walton, 47, of Atlanta, held at different relevant times the positions of governor of Georgia and governor of governors, the latter position controlling Georgia, Florida, Texas, Indiana and South Carolina; Kevin Clayton, 43, of Decatur, Georgia, was the chief enforcer for the state of Georgia; Donald Glass, 26, of Decatur, served as a first coordinator of the eastside group of the Gangster Disciples; Lewis Mobely, 38, of Atlanta, was an enforcer; Vertious Wall, 40, of Marietta, was a first coordinator for the Macon Gangster Disciples group; Adrian Jackson, 37, of San Jose, California, was the national treasurer for the Gangster Disciples; Terrence Summers, 45, of Birmingham, held at different relevant times the positions of governor of Alabama and governor of governors for Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida; Markell White, 43, of Atlanta, was a regional leader in Macon; Ronald McMorris, 34, of Atlanta, was first coordinator of the Atlanta group; Perry Green, 29, of Decatur, was a member of the Gangster Disciples and acted as enforcer of a Gangster Disciples group; Dereck Taylor, 29, of Macon, was a member of the Gangster Disciples and acted as security for a Macon group; Alvis ONeal, 37,of Denver, was a senior member of and money launderer for the Gangster Disciples; Jeremiah Covington, 32, of Valdosta, Georgia, was a first coordinator for the Valdosta region; Antonio Ahmad, 33, of Atlanta, was the chief of security for the state of Georgia; Eric Manney, 39, of Atlanta, was a member of the Gangster Disciples and stored multiple guns at his house; Quiana Franklin, 33, of Birmingham, served as treasurer for the state of Alabama; Frederick Johnson, 37, of Marietta, was a chief enforcer for a Gangster Disciples group; Charles Wingate,25, of Conyers, Georgia, was chief of security for a Covington, Georgia group; Vancito Gumbs, 25, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was a member of the Gangster Disciples while at the same time serving as a police officer with the DeKalb County Police Department; Thomas Pasby, 42, of Cochran, Georgia, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; Denise Carter, 41, of Detroit, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; Carlton King Jr., 25, of Cochran, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; Kelvin Sneed, 26, of Cochran, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; Arrie Freeney, 32, of Detroit, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; Myrick Stevens, 26, of Madison, Wisconsin, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; Curtis Thomas, 45, of Cochran, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; Yohori Epps, 36,of Marietta, was a member of the Gangster Disciples; and. "The violence that we're seeing now concerns me," Sanders said. Black Gangster Disciple Nation On The Basis Of The Del Vikings 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. Five Charged With Killing Fellow Gang Members | AP News The violence perpetrated by the Gangster Disciples in this district and nationwide has long been a particular focus of our top law enforcement agencies. Barksdale died in 1974 of complications from internal damage suffered in a shooting. As one member of Yates crew flipped burgers on a grill and another worked a DJ booth, parents pulled up in cars, kids in tow. These are the people who keep gangs like the Gangster Disciples alive, year in and year out, generation after generation. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The Black Disciple Gangster Nation changed from a community organization back into a gang with an influx of drugs into the area. 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. An official website of the United States government. 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. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins allegedly killed Ernest Wilson, a rival Board Member, in Chicago, Illinois. 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. That is why it is so significant that todays indictments charge top leaders within the Gangster Disciples. April 4, law enforcement in Memphis and Atlanta announced a major bust which they said resulted in the arrest ofdozens of leaders in GD. how interested you are in the Fire, whose season begins Saturday against New York City FC at Soldier Field. The Black Disciples Gangster Nation initiate new members with beat-downs by fellow gang members, murders, and other violent crimes. For more information on the indictment on the Gangster Disciples members, click here. One shows an incident in 2003 of how gangs use children to distribute drug. Members of the gang identify themselves with the six-point Star of David, and pitchforks coming out the top. Chairman: the national leader, who is currently in prison but still communicates with gang leadership, the indictment claims. ForAppleorAndroidusers. But recent indictments against Gangster Disciples members downstate and in Atlanta suggest that the corporate structure of the gang has remained in place. 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. The two rival gangsters united together to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation ( BGDN ). 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. Gangster Disciple arrests include 2 working in East St. Louis The DEA labeled Hoovers conviction as the beginning of the end for the Black Disciples Gangster Nation. The Memphis RICO conspiracy indictment names the following defendants and their alleged roles within the Gangster Disciples: Byron Montrail Purdy, aka Lil B or Ghetto, 37, of Jackson, Tennessee, served as Gangster Disciples leader in Tennessee; Derrick Kennedy Crumpton, aka 38, 32, of Memphis, served as Gangster Disciples leader in Tennessee; Demarcus Deon Crawford, aka Trip, 32, of Jackson, served as leader of security in Tennessee; Henry Curtis Cooper, aka Big Hen, 36, of Memphis, served as leader of security in Tennessee; Rico Terrell Harris, aka Big Brim, 43, of Memphis, served as leader of security in Tennessee; Shamar Anthony James, aka Lionheart, 37, of Memphis, held the rank of governor of a region in Memphis; Demario Demont Sprouse, aka Taco, 35, of Memphis, held the rank of chief of security of a region in Memphis; Robert Elliott Jones, aka Lil Rob or Mac Rob, 36, of Memphis, held the rank of governor of a region in Memphis; Denton Suggs, aka Denny Mo or Diddy Mo,40, of Memphis, held the rank of chief of security in a section of Memphis; Santiago Megale Shaw, aka Mac-T, 23, of Jackson, was a member of the security team or blackout squad in Jackson; Tarius Montez Taylor, aka T, 26, of Jackson, was a member of the security team or blackout squad in Jackson; Tommy Earl Champion Jr., aka Duct Tape, 27, of Jackson, held the rank of chief of security of Jackson; Cory Dewayne Bowers, aka Bear Wayne, 32, of Jackson, was associated with the Gangster Disciples and acted as a member of the security team in Jackson; Gerald Eugene Hampton, aka G30, 30, of Jackson, held the rank of assistant chief of security and was a member of the security teams blackout squad in Jackson; Daniel Lee Cole, aka D-Money, 37, of Jackson, acted as assistant governor and assistant education coordinator for the Gangster Disciples in Jackson; and. There are a lot of people out there willing to join gangs, and eager to get easy money from criminal activity. Griffin is in a federal prison in Kentucky. Alleged Leaders of Gangster Disciples Indicted on Federal Racketeering of Corrections, Gwinnett County PD, and Marietta PD), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, United States Marshal's Service and United States Postal Inspection Services. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. We have strong partnerships with Federal agencies and are dedicated to thwarting gang violence. Gangster Disciples history and positions of authority - Action News 5 "They were very disciplined, very organized," Sanders said. 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. 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. 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. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. A group of seven men allegedly connected to the gang were indicted in January, among them was Warren Griffin originally from Lancaster, Kentucky. Many were skeptical, including the Chicago Tribune. The judge hasnt ruled. Moms carted away boxes of food, clothing and blankets. Certain defendants were also charged with murder, attempted murder, and various firearms crimes. 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I had this strong desire to come back here and try to correct or fix some of the stuff that we played a part in messing up, Yates says as he directed a crew unloading boxes of food from trucks earlier this month as part of the Revitalization of Robbins Initiative he has started. Other high-ranking members of the gang have been released from prison under the same law. 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). (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. "A Governor is aware of and coordinates much of the (gang's) criminal activity within that state," the indictment says. He says he got help for his food giveaway from bigger organizations such as Black Men United. Warren Griffin, 51, of Lancaster, Kentucky, an alleged "Board Member," is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes; Anthony Dobbins, 53, of Troy, Illinois, an alleged "Board Member," is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes; Reporting from Washington . The Gangster Disciples maintain a hierarchical structure on the belief that the enterprise will be ready to step in and run the United States should its government fail, the indictment states. 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. Rapper Kanye West appealed to President Donald Trump in 2018 for Hoovers release. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. If Leinenweber decides Hoover has served enough time in federal prison under the life term he was handed in 1997 for running a criminal enterprise, Hoover still faces a 200-year Illinois state court sentence from 1973 for ordering the killing of a gang member he suspected was stealing from him. Im not saying that, you know, Im going to vote for the guy, Harrell says of Trump. 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. Basically, they got de facto life sentences for drugs, Khalalah Jackson says of her husband and his co-defendants. 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. 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. "Right in front of the camera. The gang is well known for the distribution of narcotics and white collar crimes. 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. 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. See GD. Yates volunteered at some of them. You always have naysayers, he says. But there are far fewer people with the wherewithal to lead organizations like the Gangster Disciples. He pointed out that they came from Trumps U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Memphis case is being prosecuted by David N. Karpel of the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. 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. And I said, Absolutely. . Rev. 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. Contact reporter Heather Fountaine athfountaine@whas11.comand follow her onTwitter (@WHAS11Heather)andFacebook. The Black Disciple Gangster Nation (BDGN) is a gang that was formed in the south side of Chicago in 1960 when two rival gangs, the Black Disciple Nation (led by David Barksdale) and the Gangster Nation (led by Larry Hoover) combined to become one group under co-leadership. Derrick Kennedy Crumpton, aka "38," 32, of Memphis, served as Gangster Disciples leader in Tennessee; Demarcus Deon Crawford, aka "Trip," 32, of Jackson, served as leader of security in Tennessee; Henry Curtis Cooper, aka "Big Hen," 36, of Memphis, served as leader of security in Tennessee; 8 New Indictments Seek to Cripple Hoover'S Gang Chief Enforcer: The gang member in each state who is responsible for enforcing codes, rules and regulations of the gang. "They were one of the biggest gangs in Chicago dealing drugs.". Opinions differ on how to define Gangster Disciples. He's currently being held at a federal prison in Ashland, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 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. An estimated 2,000 people have been identified by police as members of gangs. Watch what we do. Many were recruited while in prison. Harrell walked up to one of the food boxes that were being given away in Robbins. The Gangster Disciples (often abbreviated as the GD's, formerly GDN) are an African American street and prison gang, which was formed in 1969, by Larry Hoover and David Barksdale. Violators may be subject to civil and criminal litigation and penalties. We also wanted to know or did we? 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. Here's what we know about the Gangster Disciple governor who was The "Chief of Security" for each state protects the members of gangs within the state. BOS, SOS: Brothers (or sisters) of the struggle. 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.