Anderson Ortiz, Drug Trafficking and Possession of a Firearm, Pennsylvania 2024

HARRISBURG, PA – Anderson Ortiz, 24, is headed to federal prison for over a decade after being sentenced to 129 months for his role in a Harrisburg drug trafficking operation tied to the “Never Forget Loyalty” (NFL) rap group. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner handed down the sentence Wednesday, marking the latest fallout from a sprawling investigation that began in 2018.

The ATF, alongside the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and Pennsylvania State Police, spent a year unraveling the conspiracy, which wasn’t confined to the streets. Prosecutors presented evidence showing the NFL used YouTube to flaunt their criminal enterprise – posting videos filmed at 1621 Market Street, a known drug location, showcasing weapons, cash, and narcotics. These weren’t just idle boasts; they were advertisements for a dangerous business.

Ortiz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic drugs and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Judge Conner imposed the maximum sentence allowed under federal guidelines, recognizing the severity of the crimes. The investigation unearthed a significant arsenal linked to the group, including a machine gun, assault rifles, and firearms equipped with extended magazines. This wasn’t petty dealing; it was a well-armed operation.

Ortiz isn’t the only member of the NFL facing serious time. Kaleaf Brown, 28, received 140 months. Qushawn Brown, 32, got 137 months. Tyquann Langston, 28, and Adieas Johnson, 35, both face 120 months behind bars. Donza Brown, 60, received a comparatively lighter sentence of 37 months, as did Jaionne Miller, 23. Wesley Garner, also involved, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam emphasized the case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. But the reality on the ground is clear: these sentences won’t erase the damage done. The NFL’s brazen display of criminal activity, amplified by social media, is a symptom of a larger problem – the normalization of violence and drug dealing in some communities.

The case highlights the ATF’s continued focus on disrupting drug trafficking organizations and seizing illegal firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio led the prosecution, building a case that brought down a crew that seemingly believed their criminal behavior was content for their online audience. The message is simple: post it, and we’ll find it. And if you’re dealing drugs and packing heat, you’re going to jail.”

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