PHOENIX, Ariz. – Yesterday, Navajo Nation residents Devan Edward Leonard, 28, Kyle Filbert Gray, 26, and Lucille Jean Leonard, 48, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in the violent Red Skin Kingz (RSK) gang. The RSK gang, operating on the eastern side of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, was responsible for at least three murders, attempted murder, aggravated assaults, carjacking, kidnappings, sexual assaults, and drug trafficking.
According to court documents, Devan Leonard, the leader of RSK, was sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment for his role in the RICO conspiracy. Kyle Gray was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment, while Lucille Leonard received a 10-year prison term. The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge David G. Campbell.
The investigation and prosecution of the RSK gang members required extensive work by the FBI, Arizona DPS, Navajo Nation DPS, and the prosecution team. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange praised the dedication and perseverance of the team, stating, ‘This case is a testament to our office’s commitment to combat gang violence in Arizona and to bring justice to the victims of violent crime.’
The Second Superseding Indictment detailed the RSK gang’s crimes, including the murder of two men on or between Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, 2014. The victims’ bodies were dismembered, burned, and buried to conceal the killings. Additionally, on Dec. 16, 2014, Kyle Gray and Devan Leonard shot and killed another victim immediately following a drug trafficking transaction.
Lucille Leonard held a leadership role in RSK, overseeing the gang’s drug trafficking activities, including the collection of debts owed to RSK. The Second Superseding Indictment was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dimitra Sampson and Tracy Van Buskirk of the District of Arizona, and Trial Attorneys Kelly Pearson and Hans Miller of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, prosecuted the case. The investigation and prosecution of the RSK gang members demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat gang violence and bring justice to the victims.
The case number is CR-15-8076-PCT-DGC (JZB), and the release number is 2018-061_RSK. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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