Feds Indict 45 in Minneapolis Gang Crackdown
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger at the Wednesday news conference. Image via FOX9 video
Federal indictments unsealed today detail a wide-ranging investigation and charges against 45 alleged members of two Minneapolis-based street gangs.
The two indictments target members of the “Highs” and the “Bloods” gangs and allege racketeering conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice and drug trafficking.
Twenty members and associates of the “Highs Enterprise” are charged in a 12-count indictment with RICO (racketeering) conspiracy involving five separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery and drug trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Five additional Highs defendants are charged in the indictment with separate drug and gun charges.
The Highs have been operating primarily in the north side of Minneapolis since around 2008. The Highs congregated at specific businesses and residences located at or near the W. Broadway Avenue and Lyndale Ave. N. intersection, the indictment said.
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Prospective Highs members proved their loyalty to the gang by “putting in work,” committing acts of violence for the benefit of the gang or offering other benefits such as introducing a source for drugs or firearms. Highs members were expelled from the gang and physically assaulted for failing to “put in work.”
The Highs leaders, or “shot callers,” determined the quantity of drugs bought and sold and the locations where members were permitted to sell the drugs. The shot callers sometimes took the lead in obtaining and distributing firearms to other Highs members.
The indictment alleges a years-long pattern of violence including murders, numerous shootings and acts of retaliation against rival gang members, dealing in fentanyl, and robberies. Between April and September 2021, Highs members are alleged to have committed five murders.
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Five members and associates of the “Minneapolis Bloods” charged in a separate indictment, including two who are charged with RICO conspiracy involving two separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. The remaining three defendants are charged with separate drug and gun charges, including using a firearm in a killing for two separate murders.
As alleged in this indictment, the Minneapolis Bloods chapter has been in existence for several decades, controlling and operating territory on the south side of Minneapolis. The hierarchy of the Bloods includes a head or leader of the gang, senior leaders, street-level leaders, and other members or associates. New recruits (called “YGs” or young gangsters) must fight, shoot, or make money to gain respect and increase their position in the gang, the documents said.
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The next level in the gang is “OG” (original gangsters), who are well-respected members of the gang, and the highest level is “double OG.” All OGs are equal in rank and can direct “shots” or orders. “Enforcers” carry out the OG’s “shots” or orders by beating or assaulting the offender. Members of the Bloods often wear red clothing, display gang signs, and obtain tattoos that identify the Bloods, its members, or territory.
The indictment alleges a pattern of violence, including a 2020 shootout and murder at the 200 Club in north Minneapolis. In April 2022, Bloods members physically attacked, shot at, and murdered an individual outside of William’s Pub in Uptown. The indictment also alleges other criminal acts, including numerous instances of narcotics trafficking.
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The following defendants are charged in the Highs indictment, with all defendants being from Minneapolis, unless otherwise noted below.
Montez Brown, aka Tez Blood, 31, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Dantrell Johnson, aka Trell Moe, 30, is charged with RICO conspiracy and with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
Gregory Hamilton, aka Lil’ Lord, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
Keon Pruitt, aka KenKen, 20, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
Jovan Knight, aka 23, aka JoJo, 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Tyreese Giles, aka Reese, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
Josiah Taylor, aka Joker, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Douglas Mobley, aka Nut, 35, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Jarrett Robinson, aka Gator, 25, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
Trevaun Robinson, aka Tricky Tre, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Isaac Hodge, aka Ike, 46, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Christopher Finch, aka Twin, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Tony Jelks, aka BD, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Cortez Blakemore, aka Tez, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Randy Tate, aka “Randy,” aka 32, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Trevoneia Felton, aka Tre, 21, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Chase Robertson, aka Chase Loco, 25, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Malcolm Samuels, aka Reggie, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
William Banks, aka Bear, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Ronald Washington, aka Black, 36, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
William Johnson, aka Lil’ Will, 32, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
Dashaun Morris, aka Mush, 21, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Ernest Boyd, aka Shaky Shawn, 42, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Maron Bailey, aka Boonie, 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Isaiah Bell, 20, of St. Paul, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Additionally, the following defendants are Highs members or associates who were charged in individual indictments:
Montrell Shief, 23, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a machine gun.
Deon Williams, aka Ghost, 28, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Dennis Mobley, aka Diddy, 34, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The following defendants are named in the Bloods indictment:
Desean James Solomon, aka Black, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and two counts of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
Michael Allen Burrell, aka Skitz, 42, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
Leontawan Lentez Holt, aka Leon, aka Shotta, aka Shot Dog, 25, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
Additionally, the following defendants are Bloods members or associates who were charged separately:
Theodore Harold Bobo Jr., aka Boo, 37, of St. Paul, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Jordan Kenneth Edwards, aka J-Bird, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Isaiah Lamuel Elisha Ferguson, 26, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Josiah Ferguson, 24, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Demarcus Cortez Garner, 24, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Andrew Dayjon Griffin, 32, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Obuatawan Holt, aka Bone, 47, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Latoya Bea Smith, 47, is charged with knowingly transferring firearms to a felon.
John Eric Solomon, aka Eastside, 33, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Traigh Sean Tillman, 29, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Nathan Walz, aka Fat Nate, aka Fat Blood, aka Fat Boy, aka White Boy Nate, 34, of Prior Lake, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
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In addition to the 42 named defendants, there were three other defendants listed in the court documents whose names were redacted, also alleged to be Bloods members.
If convicted of the crimes, the suspects face a range of penalties, possibly up to life in prison for charges of racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
“Today’s announcement marks a fundamental change for federal law enforcement. We are now addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “As alleged, these defendants engaged in an unrelenting trail of violence, resulting in today’s federal RICO charges and related charges. The aggregate nature of a RICO prosecution has a deeper impact and carries a stronger deterrence message, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence and returning peace to our communities.”
Numerous law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation, Luger said.
“For too long, criminal gangs have wreaked havoc on our streets, leaving in their wake tragedy and trauma that threatens to destroy families, neighborhoods, and communities. When we refrain from utilizing the full force of laws available to hold these bad actors accountable, we allow for this horrific behavior, and its impact on residents, to continue to be normalized. The behavior of these bad actors is outrageous and entirely unacceptable,” Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O’Hara said in the written statement.
“We have a long way to go. We have a lot more charges to bring,” Luger said.
According to searches of booking records and jail rosters, all but two of the named defendants are currently incarcerated as of Wednesday night. We could not verify the location of Latoya Bea Smith or John Eric Solomon, and booking photos for all suspects were not available.
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