Each state additionally has a "Chief Enforcer," responsible for enforcing the gang's codes and regulations. 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. 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. 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. Certain defendants were also charged with murder, attempted murder, and various firearms crimes. 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. Yates says he thinks more Americans than ever support moves to rehabilitate ex-offenders, which led to the passage of the First Step Act. 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. We aint looking back. 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. May 4, 2016 1:29 PM PT. Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. 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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. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins are accused of killing Ernest Wilson, a rival Board Member, in Chicago, Illinois. Male members of GD are referred to as "Brothers of the Struggle," and female members are referred to as "Sisters of the Struggle.". "We can't ignore that.". 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. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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. Many were recruited while in prison. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. 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. 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. That is why it is so significant that todays indictments charge top leaders within the Gangster Disciples. 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. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins are accused of killing Ernest Wilson, a rivalmember in Chicago. 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, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Springfield Field Office. ForAppleorAndroidusers. 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. The Gangster Disciples is highly structured, disciplined and deadly, according to U.S. Attorney John Horn in Atlanta. In 1973, Hoover was sentenced to. 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 Black Gangster Disciples was a gang from chicago that ended up splitting into two separate gangs in the 90s (black disciples (BGDs) and gangster disciples (GDs)).Some gangs still hold the black gangster disciple name out of chicago and never split up. 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. Download the WHAS11 News app now. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Underneath the Chairman are "Board Members," who maintain contact with state and regional leaders--the "Governor-of-Governors," "Governors," and"Assistant Governors.". Tommy Lee Wilkins (Holloway), aka Tommy Gunz, 28, of Memphis, was a member of the security team in Memphis. Moms carted away boxes of food, clothing and blankets. Criminal Investigation is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners in this case to bring these criminals to justice.. Her husband Johnny Jackson was a board member of the Gangster Disciples, which, according to federal prosecutors, sold more than $100 million a year in drugs and, at its peak, had more than 6,000 members. [citation . "He's pulling a gun from his waistband," Sanders said. This illustrates, when we work together, how effective our law enforcement alliances are in pursuing and eradicating violent street gangs to make our communities safer.. Gangster Disciples represent with the colors blue and black. "Responsible for seeing that punishment, including 'Kill on Sight' (KOS) orders and 'greenlights,' which authorize physical punishment, are effectuated for Gangster Disciples who violate gang rules. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins are accused of killing Ernest Wilson, a rival Board Member, in Chicago, Illinois. An estimated 2,000 people have been identified by police as members of gangs. On May 18, 2018, Griffin and Dobbins allegedly killed Ernest Wilson, a rival Board Member, in Chicago, Illinois. 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. 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. "They were one of the biggest gangs in Chicago dealing drugs.". January 25, 2021. 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. EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. 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 racketeering conspiracy involving multiple murders, drug trafficking, and other crimes. Some counts specifically name their enforcement teams, for example, "HATE Committee" and "BLACC Team" are two specially named teams. This illustrates, when we work together, how effective our law enforcement alliances are in pursuing and eradicating violent street gangs to make our communities safer., TheBOP takes seriously ourmission toprotect the safety and security of our correctional institutions and the public, said Miranda Faust, Administrator of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Branch. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. 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. LMPD will utilize intelligence-led policing in identifying and harnessing these issues in our city.. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. 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. ATLANTA -- Alleged members of the Gangster Disciples, including high-ranking leaders and a former Atlanta-area police officer who prosecutors say claimed to be a . He said, I want to give back to Robbins, Roberson says. Rev. The indictment describes the Gangster Disciples as a violent gang with a long history of lawlessness in the United States. Some of these teams have names, such as "Hate Committee" or "Blacc Team. The F.B.I. They'll usually deal cocaine and heroin, according to the Department of Justice. The lawlessness these gangs bring to our cities is terribly destructive and oftentimes difficult to prosecute. By Frank Main and Jon Seidel Jan 26, 2021, 4:55pm PST According to court documents, the Gangster Disciples is a national gang active in more than 24 states with a highly organized structure including board members and governor-of-governors who each controlled geographic regions; governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers and chiefs of security for each state or regions within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active; and coordinators and leaders within each local group. The violence perpetrated by the Gangster Disciples in this district and nationwide has long been a particular focus of our top law enforcement agencies. Robinson was revered for breaking the color barrier, but dont forget about those who followed. The Black Disciples Gangster Nation initiate new members with beat-downs by fellow gang members, murders, and other violent crimes. Other high-ranking members of the gang have been released from prison under the same law. 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. Count: The geographic divisions of the Gangster Disciples are called "counts" or "decks.". Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (WMC) - The Gangster Disciples is a dangerous gang founded in the 1970's in Chicago, Illinois. None of those guys is reverting to the streets and getting involved in crime.. Gangster Disciples Gang Initiation and Colors, a political action committee dubbed V.O.T.E. 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 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. 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. See GD. They use front organizations to integrate themselves in the communities they live in. how interested you are in the Fire, whose season begins Saturday against New York City FC at Soldier Field. Sometimes they wear Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and other teams clothing from their original city, though they do not always match colors. David Barksdale continued to try and improve the Englewood neighborhood, while Larry Hoover put out a hit on a man who was subsequently shot in the head multiple times. Governors typically coordinate much of the criminal activity that occurs within a particular state. Hoover is serving a life sentence in a super-max prison in Colorado. 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. Harrell walked up to one of the food boxes that were being given away in Robbins. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Racketeering, such as the alleged charges today, brazenly facilitates all kinds of illegal dealings that negatively affect the community. The Memphis case is being investigated by a multi-agency task force consisting of the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Memphis Multi-Agency Gang Unit; the Memphis PD; the Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriffs Office; the Jackson PD Gang Enforcement Team; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Madison County, Tennessee Sheriffs Department; the 28th District West Tennessee Drug Task Force; the Tipton County, Tennessee, Sheriff's Office; the 26th Judicial District Attorney Generals Office; the 25th Judicial District Attorney Generals Office; the Atascosa County, Tennessee District Attorneys Office; and the Shelby County District Attorney Generals Office. Barry Boyce, 44, of Charleston, Missouri, an alleged member of the gang, is charged with RICO conspiracy. A different world.. The "Treasurer" assists the governor in collecting dues for each state for the national Treasurer. 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. Craig was a Board Member, the highest-ranking position in the Gangster Disciples. The gang is well known for the distribution of narcotics and white collar crimes. 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. 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. 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. Board Members: highest-ranking members after the Chairman. 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. 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. They also teach new members about gang codes, rules, regulations, and technology. The Robbins Park District let Yates stage his food giveaway in a parking lot down the street from the suburbs police station. 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. Lancaster is in Garrard County, about 100 miles east of Louisville. 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. Rev. Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times This is just one of the more than three dozen gangs found all over Tipton County. Watch what we do. Assistant governors collect dues from individual groups, called "counts" or "decks.". A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. 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). "They know when we make the arrest of a 12-year-old, it's going to not really go very far.". You've got grandfathers, fathers and sons all members of a gang, said Jeffersontown Police Chief Rick Sanders. After a somewhat-quiet offseason, the Fire are widely picked to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and miss the playoffs again.