Hoover attorney Justin Moore said Tuesday he wasnt aware of the new indictment and questioned the idea that Hoover could have been involved in gang affairs from behind bars. While in state prison for ordering the killing of a gang member in Chicago in 1973, he was sentenced in 1998 to life in federal prison for running a criminal enterprise the Gangster Disciples . 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. About 900 gang factions operate in Chicago today, police say. Today, hes distributing a different kind of commodity in those same suburbs: food. He is currently in prison, but still communicates with other gang leadership. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. This case results from investigations by ATF, FBI, BOP, IRS CI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Missouri Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, Bridgeton Police Department, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Mississippi County Sheriffs Office, and Chicago Police Department. Five Gangster Disciple members were convicted after an April . Before that, he spent several years working for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Chicago, as the Special Agent in Charge during the early 2000s, describing the gang as having ranks, like a military. 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. 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 was responsible for the death of Army sergeant Juwan Williams during a brutal initiation beating that included kicks to the head. "He's pulling a gun from his waistband," Sanders said. 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. They organize community clean-up events, "Stop the Violence" rallies, and events to feed the homeless as a way to mask their criminal activities. See GD. The other shows a gang-related shooting captured by police cameras in the middle of the day. The federal racketeering indictment unsealed Wednesday depicts an almost corporate organization spread out over several states. Shauntay Craig, 37, of Birmingham, Alabama, held the rank of Gangster Disciples "Board Member". Gangster Disciples represent with the colors blue and black. Many were recruited while in prison. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. In addition to the RICO conspiracy, all 16 defendants are charged with a cocaine-distribution conspiracy, and Crawford, Shaw, Taylor, Champion and Bowers are charged with seven counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering and using a firearm during the commission of those offenses. released a report in 2011 that revealed that at least 53 gangs are represented in the military, particularly the branches of the Army. Griffin is in a federal prison in Kentucky. 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 . 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. Khalalah Jackson, whose husband was freed from prison under the First Step Act in November, was among those at the Robbins food giveaway. 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 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. Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. 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. GD hasa very structured hierarchical organization. These are the people who keep gangs like the Gangster Disciples alive, year in and year out, generation after generation. 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. The violence perpetrated by the Gangster Disciples in this district and nationwide has long been a particular focus of our top law enforcement agencies. 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. The indictment describes the Gangster Disciples as a violent gang with a long history of lawlessness in the United States. With the charges unsealed today, we are taking an important, powerful step in the fight to disrupt and dismantle gangs operating in this region. They use front organizations to integrate themselves in the communities they live in. "We can't ignore that.". 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. 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. Members of the gang identify themselves with the six-point Star of David, and pitchforks coming out the top. how interested you are in the Fire, whose season begins Saturday against New York City FC at Soldier Field. 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. As part of this investigation, we took those concerns to Louisville Metro Police Chief Erika Shields, who sent this statement: Working to curb violent crime is one of my top priorities at LMPD. But recent indictments against Gangster Disciples members downstate and in Atlanta suggest that the corporate structure of the gang has remained in place. Rapper Kanye West appealed to President Donald Trump in 2018 for Hoovers release. 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 GD are involved in criminal activity in more than 30 states. He reached in to a box and pulled out a copy of a letter from Trump on White House letterhead. A group of seven men allegedly connected to the gang were indicted in January, among them was Warren Griffin originally from Lancaster, Kentucky. With the charges unsealed today, we are taking an important, powerful step in the fight to disrupt and dismantle gangs operating in this region. One shows an incident in 2003 of how gangs use children to distribute drug. "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. Theres been a need for years.. 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. The case was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The Gangster Disciples are known to be active in 35 states. We have strong partnerships with Federal agencies and are dedicated to thwarting gang violence. He said, I want to give back to Robbins, Roberson says. 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. The drastically different team is built around its All-Star cornerstone, and new players will match her intensity, Ex-Gangster Disciples governor now distributing food boxes, not crack cocaine, Jackson, 48, recently wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber, Former Black Disciples king Marvel Thompsons federal prison sentence cut by a third, Chicago Black Disciples gang kingpin Marvel Thompson: Im sorry for my life of crime, Illinois has paroled double ax-murderer, other heinous killers, offering Gangster Disciples boss hope, Gangster Disciples boss Larry Hoover seeks break on prison time under law Kanye West championed, Chicago gang kingpin Larry Hoovers bad behavior could keep him from cutting life sentence, Over 60% in Chicago seeking early prison release under Trumps First Step Act go free, Chicago crooks case highlights Supreme Court nominees black-and-white approach, Putins pollock: U.S. seafood imports fuel Russian war machine, Chicago police supervisors obstructed probe of sergeants suicide, resigned before they could be fired, inspector general says, Tom Dart, judge at odds over required 2-day furlough from home confinement for suspects on bail, ATF cited stores that most often sold guns used in Chicago crimes, then let them off easy, Outlaws Motorcycle Club enforcer denied compassionate release, showed no compassion in killing McHenry County couple, Taxing times for popular South Side restaurant eased by county agency, Dear Abby: When my husbands brother marries, I should be in the wedding, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife to invest $250 million in new Chicago research lab, Jose Abreu on life with the Astros and leaving the White Sox, who werent a family in 2022, Chicago police officer was shot and killed in front of kids playing at school: They ran as quickly as possible just to get to safety, Dear Abby: With boyfriends fussy father living here, I feel trapped, The Astros Dusty Baker 73 years young is still at it, and hes one Hall of a manager. Because, I gotta admit its good.. He's currently being held at a federal prison in Ashland, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 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. Chief Enforcer: The gang member in each state who is responsible for enforcing codes, rules and regulations of the gang. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Robinson was revered for breaking the color barrier, but dont forget about those who followed. 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. Racketeering, such as the alleged charges today, brazenly facilitates all kinds of illegal dealings that negatively affect the community. Vancito Gumbs, 25, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was a member of the Gangster Disciples while at the . May 4, 2016 / 3:51 PM / CBS/AP. The "Treasurer" assists the governor in collecting dues for each state for the national Treasurer. 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 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. Yates says he was dumbfounded when he returned to Robbins after getting out of prison. Nothing seemed to have changed in his hometown since he was arrested in the 1990s. The Gangster Disciples is highly structured, disciplined and deadly, according to U.S. Attorney John Horn in Atlanta. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The Atlanta case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Hans B. Miller of the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. The Gangster Disciples is a violent gang that began in Chicago in the 1970s when the Black Disciples and the Supreme Gangsters merged, the Atlanta indictment says. The federal indictment was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. 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. 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. Hoover is serving a life sentence in a super-max prison in Colorado. 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. You've got grandfathers, fathers and sons all members of a gang, said Jeffersontown Police Chief Rick Sanders. Walton, Ahmad and Laderris Dickerson, 45, of Chicago, are also charged with carjacking and Walton and Dickerson are charged with a related firearms offense. 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. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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. He was accompanied to the Oval Office by Hoovers attorney, who explained that Hoover is being held in the Colorado Supermax prison alongside killers for economic crimes and that he was unfairly targeted because he was gaining political power from the Chicago community. Download the WHAS11 News app now. 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. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times Eight fellow soldiers were tried in connection with the death. 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 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. Lancaster is in Garrard County, about 100 miles east of Louisville. Gang members are known to wear Georgetown Hoyas or Duke Blue Devils clothing. Each state additionally has a "Chief Enforcer," responsible for enforcing the gang's codes and regulations. Moore questioned why prosecutors who previously have said they suspected Hoover was still involved in the gang hadnt brought up the latest accusation during arguments over Hoovers bid for a reduced sentence. Attorneys Kim S. Dammers, Ryan K. Buchanan and Stephanie Gabay-Smith of the Northern District of Georgia. The symbol of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation stemmed from the three previous gangs just mentioned above. They are also represented by a black flag (bandana). Warren Griffin, 51, an alleged Board Member in the Gangster Disciples is originally from Lancaster, Kentucky, according to a federal indictment unsealed in January. It seems almost impossible that he would be able to communicate that to anyone if he were trying to, he said. As part of our response to the coronavirus, I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America.. This is just one of the more than three dozen gangs found all over Tipton County. But there are far fewer people with the wherewithal to lead organizations like the Gangster Disciples. Reverend Jesse Jackson was a frequent visitor who encouraged BGDN and other gangs to be politically active in demanding job opportunities in the construction industry and to foster accountability from local businesses. 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. 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. It is the very of core of law enforcements mission to ensure that everyone feels safe in their homes and neighborhoods, and it is a hard reality that many people across our country simply do not enjoy this basic sense of security because of gangs like the Gangster Disciples, said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. Governor of Governors: Regional officer in charge of the governors. 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. LMPD will utilize intelligence-led policing in identifying and harnessing these issues in our city.. Gangster Disciples Gang Initiation and Colors, a political action committee dubbed V.O.T.E. 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). Underneath the Chairman are "Board Members," who maintain contact with state and regional leaders--the "Governor-of-Governors," "Governors," and"Assistant Governors.". 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. 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. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. 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. That is why it is so significant that todays indictments charge top leaders within the Gangster Disciples. The "Chief of Security" for each state protects the members of gangs within the state. The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. "The violence that we're seeing now concerns me," Sanders said. 2023 InfoPay, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. The results of that poll, in a word: Oof. Identification: Symbolism plays a large part in the Gangster Disciples' culture. Certain defendants were also charged with murder, attempted murder, and various firearms crimes. The indictment. The gang protected its power and operation through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. Many were skeptical, including the Chicago Tribune.

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