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. Gang members are known to wear Georgetown Hoyas or Duke Blue Devils clothing. Frank Smith, 47, of Naperville, Illinois, an alleged national Board Member, is charged withRacketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO)conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms crimes. With the charges unsealed today, we are taking an important, powerful step in the fight to disrupt and dismantle gangs operating in this region. The Gangster Disciples are known to be active in 35 states. 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. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. The letter explained that the food was coming from USDAs Farmers to Families Food Box program. Assistant governors collect dues from individual groups, called "counts" or "decks.". The gang employs a structured hierarchy, with leadership positions such as national "Board Members" and state "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," Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant . Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Because, I gotta admit its good.. The decision to merge the two gangs came from a fear that gang warfare would decimate the black youth of the region. 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.. "The violence that we're seeing now concerns me," 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., 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. The GD are involved in criminal activity in more than 30 states. The health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities, the presidents letter said. To enforce discipline among Gangster Disciples and adherence to the strict rules and structure, members and associates were routinely fined, beaten and even murdered for failing to follow the gangs rules. Larry Hoover grew up in Chicago and became the leader of the Supreme Gangsters, which merged with a rival gang to become the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. The indictment describes the Gangster Disciples as a violent gang with a long history of lawlessness in the United States. 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. The lawlessness these gangs bring to our cities is terribly destructive and oftentimes difficult to prosecute. 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. Glass was also sentenced for firearms crimes. Vancito Gumbs, 25, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was a member of the Gangster Disciples while at the . 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. 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 organization is ruled by a national leadership of a corporate board-style group, prosecutors said during a three-week trial. 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. 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. 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. 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. Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. 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. The symbol of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation stemmed from the three previous gangs just mentioned above. Sanders has been in law enforcement for 40 years and previously served as the Kentucky State Police Commissioner. 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. Hoover is seeking a reduction in his life prison term. One shows an incident in 2003 of how gangs use children to distribute drug. Barksdale died in 1974 of complications from internal damage suffered in a shooting. 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. Yates volunteered at some of them. Members of the gang identify themselves with the six-point Star of David, and pitchforks coming out the top. Twenty-two members of the Black Disciple Gangster Nation received indictments for murder in 2016 including one county police officer who warned gang members about police raids and acted as a hitman. He says he got help for his food giveaway from bigger organizations such as Black Men United. I am especially grateful for the support of the ATF and the many dedicated law enforcement officers at all levels of government who contributed to this investigation., ATF has no higher priority than investigating violent crime and ensuring that those who use firearms in furtherance of their criminal activities are held accountable, said Fred Winston, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kansas City Field Division. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. May 4, 2016 1:29 PM PT. Board Members: highest-ranking members after the Chairman. 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.. 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. It seems almost impossible that he would be able to communicate that to anyone if he were trying to, he said. Racketeering, such as the alleged charges today, brazenly facilitates all kinds of illegal dealings that negatively affect the community. 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. 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. Its like 1960 or 1950, Yates says. ", 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. "He's checking the money to make sure it's real," Sanders detailed. We also wanted to know or did we? The results of that poll, in a word: Oof. Underneath the Chairman are "Board Members," who maintain contact with state and regional leaders--the "Governor-of-Governors," "Governors," and"Assistant Governors.". 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. Sometimes they wear Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and other teams clothing from their original city, though they do not always match colors. And I said, Absolutely. . Among the crimes alleged in the indictment are two gang-related murders. 2023 InfoPay, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Moving swiftly after winning convictions of Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover and other high-ranking gang members two weeks ago, authorities indicted eight additional men Friday in a. Many were skeptical, including the Chicago Tribune. The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Robinson was revered for breaking the color barrier, but dont forget about those who followed. 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. Those gangs are generational. 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. "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. 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. They then recruited heavily in Chicago, within jails and prisons, and across the United States. 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. Tackling issues related to criminal enterprises and gang-related activities are paramount to addressing violence in any city. Some counts specifically name their enforcement teams, for example, "HATE Committee" and "BLACC Team" are two specially named teams. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. You've got grandfathers, fathers and sons all members of a gang, said Jeffersontown Police Chief Rick Sanders. For more information on the indictment on the Gangster Disciples members, click here. Nothing seemed to have changed in his hometown since he was arrested in the 1990s. James Yates was sentenced two decades ago to life in prison after a jury found that he was a governor of the Gangster Disciples in charge of distributing drugs for the street gang in Chicagos south suburbs. 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. The judge hasnt ruled. Download the WHAS11 News app now. 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. 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. They use front organizations to integrate themselves in the communities they live in. Rev. Racketeering, such as the alleged charges today, brazenly facilitates all kinds of illegal dealings that negatively affect the community. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Emailassign@whas11.com, visit ourFacebook pageorTwitter feed. The indictment. The gang protected its power and operation through threats, intimidation and violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault and obstruction of justice. Lancaster is in Garrard County, about 100 miles east of Louisville. He and seven other high-ranking members of the Gangster Disciples have been released from prison under the 2018 law, signed by President Donald Trump with bipartisan support, intended to promote rehabilitation and cut the costs of incarceration. Rev. 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. 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. 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. 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 scope of the Gangster Disciples crimes is wide-ranging and consistent throughout the national operation. 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. On May 18, 2018, Dobbins and Griffin shot and killed Earnest Don Smokey Wilson, 65, a rival Gangster Disciples board member, in the 7100 block of South Euclid Avenue in Chicago, according to the East St. Louis indictment. Mobely, Glass, Craig, ONeal, Covington and Travis Riley, 35, of Wichita, Kansas are also charged with various drug distribution crimes and Mobely and Glass are further charged with related firearms crimes. 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