Two members of the West Oakland gang Acorn were sentenced to 43 years in prison for their respective roles in a criminal racketeering conspiracy and use of firearms to commit murder.
OAKLAND – Dionte Houff, a/k/a “Bird,” a/k/a “Birdman,” a/k/a “Tay,” and Houston Nathaniel, III, a/k/a “No No,” a/k/a “Lil No,” were sentenced yesterday by the Honorable Phyllis J. Hamilton, Chief United States District Judge, following guilty pleas entered by the defendants on August 9, 2017.
According to his plea agreement, Nathaniel, 28, of Oakland, admitted that he became involved with the Acorn gang in or before 2008. He acknowledged that he agreed to participate in the Acorn gang’s activities to help achieve its objectives, such as shooting members of rival gangs and distributing drugs.
Nathaniel admitted that he committed several crimes as part of his involvement with the Acorn gang, including two shootings that occurred on November 6, 2011, and another shooting on November 28, 2011.
On November 6, 2011, Nathaniel carried a firearm to a rival gang’s neighborhood and shot a victim, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds and has permanent injuries inhibiting his ability to walk. On the evening of the same date, Nathaniel shot a second victim, who was riding a bicycle through an area in West Oakland that the Acorn gang claims as its territory.
Nathaniel also admitted his involvement in a shooting that occurred on November 28, 2011. On that day, Nathaniel knew a large group of people had gathered to film a music video. Nathaniel and other Acorn members believed that the music video was being filmed in an area where rival gang members lived and that the music video disrespected the Acorn gang. Nathaniel and others drove to the area with firearms and fired into the crowd. As a result, seven people suffered gunshot wounds, including a child who later died from the gunshot wound.
Houff, 36, of Oakland, also admitted he was a member of the Acorn gang and participated in the November 28, 2011 shooting that resulted in the death of a child and gunshot wounds to six others. Houff acknowledged that he got into a car with other Acorn-affiliated persons and rode to the area where the music video was being filmed. Houff admitted that he got out of the car, walked toward the group of people, and fired his gun into the group.
Houff also admitted that he was engaged in narcotics trafficking as part of his support for the Acorn gang.
The defendants pleaded guilty to the following charges: racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d); maiming in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(2); assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3); attempted murder in aid of racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5); using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1); and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).
The defendants were sentenced to 43 years in prison.
Mandatory Facts:
1. Defendant/Respondent: Dionte Houff, Houston Nathaniel, III
2. Exact Criminal Charges: Racketeering conspiracy, maiming in aid of racketeering, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death, using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence
3. City and State: Oakland, California
4. Exact Date with Month/Day/Year: August 9, 2017 (sentencing), November 6, 2011, November 28, 2011 (crimes)
5. Sentence or Outcome: 43 years in prison
6. Dollar Amounts: None
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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