Gangster Disciples Members Indicted for Racketeering
MEMPHIS, TN – Sixteen alleged members of the Gangster Disciples, a nationwide violent criminal organization, have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise.
According to the indictment, the defendants named in the RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute charges committed attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of heroin; cocaine and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidation of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples enterprise and to raise funds for the gang.
The Gangster Disciples were organized into different positions, including board members and governor-of-governors who each controlled geographic regions; governors, assistant governors, chief enforcers, and chief of security for each state or regions within the state where the Gangster Disciples were active; and coordinators and leaders within each local group.
To enforce discipline among Gangster Disciples and adherence to the criminal organization’s rules and structure, members and associates were routinely fined, beaten and even murdered for failing to follow the gang’s rules.
The following defendants have been indicted on RICO conspiracy charges in West Tennessee: Byron Montrail Purdy, Derrick Kennedy Crumpton, Demarcus Deon Crawford, Henry Curtis Cooper, Rico Terrell Hassis, Shamar Anthony Thomas, Christopher Lee Brown, Marquise D. Brown, Michael Eugene Jones, Reginald Darnell Jones, Rodney R. Jones, and Timothy J. Jackson, all of whom have also been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute large quantities of narcotics.
“As the indictment alleges, the Gangster Disciples flooded communities throughout the southeast and beyond with large amounts of drugs and ruthlessly used fear, intimidation, and even murder to promote and protect their nationwide criminal enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate the terror gang members inflict upon our communities.”
The coordinated arrests of Gangster Disciples around the country should send a message to all those intent on victimizing our communities through acts of violence and racketeering, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Gerard J. Cocuzzo.
The indictment alleges the defendants and their associates were involved in numerous criminal activities, including attempted murders; robberies; assaults; distribution of large quantities of heroin; cocaine and marijuana; firearms trafficking; kidnappings; intimidation of witnesses and victims; extortion; obstruction of justice; and other offenses in furtherance of the Gangster Disciples enterprise and to raise funds for the gang.
Related Federal Cases
- Gangster Disciples Get 30+ Years for Armed Robberies · Tennessee
- Final 2 UVL Members Convicted in Shocking Murder Case · Tennessee
- FDIC Appoints Five New Members to Advisory Committee on Community Banking · Mississippi
- Gangster Disciple ‘D-Money’ Pleads Guilty to RICO · Tennessee
- Memphis Carjacker Gets 20 Years · Tennessee
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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