Forty-One Defendants Federally Indicted in Racine Gang Case

United States Attorney Michelle L. Jacobs announced today that two indictments were unsealed in federal court charging 41 defendants with various drug-trafficking offenses. The defendants, many of whom are alleged to be members of the Vice Lords and North Side Gangster Disciples street gangs, are charged with, among other things, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 846.

The defendants are identified as: Starsius T. Barnes, a.k.a. “Star” (32), Brian T. Blair, a.k.a. “K.B.” (27), Tyreese D. Burton, a.k.a. “T-streets” (20), Elliot L. Campbell, a.k.a. “Vice Lord Elliot” (29), Shavelle S. Campbell, a.k.a. “Snowman” (19), Maceo T. Collins, a.k.a. “Boss Hog” (25), Brandon C. Evans, a.k.a. “B-cool” (22), Charles C. Famous, a.k.a. “Charley Wolly” (20), Jarren D. Gardner, a.k.a. “Smizz”or “J.B.” (22), Mark A. Geater, a.k.a. “Poke” (21), Darrell D. Grandberry, a.k.a. “Nacho” (19), Andre E. Hampton, a.k.a. “Jukie” (20), Marquan T. Hill, a.k.a. “Shorty Quan” (26), Darrick V. Holmes, a.k.a. “Lil’ Debbie” (21), Calvin D. Hunter, a.k.a. “Coo-coo” (26), Javonte R. Hunter, a.k.a. “Vonte” (21), Damion V. Jackson, a.k.a. “Zeus” (19), Ramone L. Jones, a.k.a. “Mone” (32), George E. Malone, III, a.k.a. “Juni” (18), Tyrone Malone, a.k.a. “8-ball” (38), Frank Mayweather, a.k.a. “Nitty” (29), Ronnie McMorris, a.k.a. “Doughboy” (21), Ryan R. McMorris, a.k.a. “Ry-U”or “Cake” (19), Tywon C. Mills, a.k.a. “T-Real” (30), Shelby Morris, a.k.a. “Cheese” (24), Fayzell Mosley, a.k.a. “Rumble” (25), Tyrann R. Mosley, a.k.a. “T-Cilla” (23), Christopher D. Mullins, a.k.a. “Dub” (25), Timothy T. Murry, a.k.a. “Slim” (19), Dashon L. Neal, a.k.a. “Fuu” (20), Ryon A. Perkins, a.k.a. “Perk” (20), Clarence A. Price, a.k.a. “Slim” (25), James J. Robbins, a.k.a. “J.R”or “J-Ewing” (22), Damien T. Searcy (26), Jonathan W. Sparks, a.k.a. “J-Buck” (19), Allen D. Sutton, a.k.a. “Fly Al” (27), Skyler Thomas, a.k.a. “Scoop” (19), Willie Ward, a.k.a. “Will Kill” (30), Travenn L. Webster, a.k.a. “C-Ball”Or “Tray” (19), Christopher A. Williams, a.k.a. “Pudge” (36), and Daryll A. Winkler, a.k.a. “Big Wink” (32), all of Racine.

Today, law enforcement officers from the Racine Police Department, FBI, DEA, ATF, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Racine County Sheriff’s Office, Kenosha Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Sturtevant Police Department, Kenosha County Sheriff’ Office, Wisconsin Probation and Parole, and the Racine County District Attorney’s Office arrested 15 of the individuals. Nineteen others were already in custody. Seven are still at large, including: Starsius Barnes, Charles Famous, Tywon Mills, Tyrann Mosely, Ryon Perkins, Damien Searcy, Christopher Williams.

The defendants were charged after a year-long investigation by the FBI Greater Racine Gang Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of personnel from the FBI, Racine Police Department, Racine County Sheriff’s Office and the Mount Pleasant Police Department. The Task Force works very closely and in cooperation with the Racine County District Attorney’s Office and US Attorney’s Office The investigation, known as Operation Cracked Cane, is the third phase of an ongoing, long-term effort by law enforcement to eradicate the sales of crack cocaine and other controlled substances by violent gang members in Racine. The first phase concluded in June 2008 with the federal indictment of sixteen Midtown 12th Street Gangster Disciple gang members on drug conspiracy charges. The second phase of the operation concluded in February 2009 with the federal indictment of fourteen Racine-based, large-scale drug suppliers. To date, 71 gang members have been federally indicted in connection with the investigation.

According to United States Attorney Michelle L. Jacobs, “In the last five years, nearly 900 drug dealers, who have been exploiting and doing grave damage in their communities, have been arrested and charged in federal court. This latest round of arrests again demonstrates our continuing commitment to working with local law enforcement to root out organized gangs and drug activity and help improve the quality of life in communities throughout the Eastern District of Wisconsin.” She commended the actions of all the participating agencies and in particular the Racine Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erica N. O’Neil and Bridget J. Domaszek. Most of the defendants, if convicted, face between 10 years and life imprisonment, a fine of up to $4,000,000 and five years to life on supervised release.

An indictment is merely the formal method of charging an individual and does not constitute inference of his or her guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, that the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

And 0bama was quoted as saying:

“It is a shame that so many productive citizens have had to be taken out of society simply because drugs are illegal. It saddens me to see that Conservatives applaud such an action against what amounts to one of their closest constituencies, the small business owner. Let us unite to help these hard workers instead. I am hereby putting these businessmen on notice that I will commute any and all judgments which may be made against them.”

Ahem. I fear that is too close to the truth.

2 posted on 10/22/2009 3:36:52 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (There is no "gray area" on issues. See things from both sides, but choose the right side.)

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