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Defendant Name, Crime, State Year
Keon Pruitt, Racketeering Conspiracy, Minnesota 2021
Crime
Following a two-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted three Minnesota men yesterday for their involvement in the Highs — a violent Minneapolis street gang — and a gang-related murder on Aug. 7, 2021.
These defendants participated in a senseless murder and other acts of violence that terrorized their community, said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Department’s Criminal Division. Today’s conviction sends a message to gang members in Minneapolis that there is no glory in gun violence. Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the Department is committed to prosecuting criminal enterprises that use violence and intimidation to exert power in our cities — dismantling violent gangs and securing justice for the victims and their loved ones.
Keon Pruitt, 22, Dantrell Johnson, 32, and Gregory Hamilton, 29, each of Minneapolis, were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Evidence at trial proved that the Highs gang committed multiple murders, narcotics trafficking, and other crimes.
This conviction sends a strong message that violent street gangs will not be tolerated in our communities, said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. Through the power of the RICO statute, ATF agents, in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement, have been able to target the violent criminal activity of the Highs gang. This conviction is a direct result of the tireless work by our agents who are committed to dismantling these criminal organizations and ensuring that those who use violence to control neighborhoods are held accountable.
Minneapolis has seen a significant drop in violent crime, especially gun violence, thanks to the outstanding work of MPD officers and our law enforcement partners. Most notably, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been instrumental in helping us target the small number of individuals driving violence, without causing harm to the broader communities we serve. Together, we’re not just reducing crime — we’re rebuilding trust, said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
The Minneapolis community will not stand idly by as violent gangs terrorize its neighborhoods. This conviction marks a decisive victory in the fight against violent criminal organizations, said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. Reducing violence in this community has required a change in tactics, and IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are perfectly poised to support our law enforcement partners in this effort. Our agents will continue to apply their financial expertise and investigative skills to bring justice to those who endanger our communities and threaten our way of life.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants were involved in various acts of violence, including the murder of a man they misidentified as a rival gang member. They were also involved in narcotics trafficking and other crimes. The defendants will face significant penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines, for their roles in the gang-related murder.
The conviction marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the Highs gang and bring justice to the victims and their families. The men will be sentenced at a later date, and their prison sentences will likely be lengthy, given the severity of the crimes.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are warning the public that they will not tolerate violent gang activity in the city. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to target and dismantle violent gangs, bringing justice to those who have been victimized by their crimes.
The Highs gang has a long history of violence, and this conviction marks a significant step forward in bringing justice to the victims and their families. The men will face the consequences of their actions, and the community can rest a little easier knowing that those responsible for the violence will be held accountable.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to target and dismantle violent gangs, bringing justice to those who have been victimized by their crimes. The conviction of the three men is a significant step forward in this effort, and it sends a strong message that violent gang activity will not be tolerated in the city.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are warning the public that they will not tolerate violent gang activity in the city. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to target and dismantle violent gangs, bringing justice to those who have been victimized by their crimes.
Keon Pruitt, Dantrell Johnson, and Gregory Hamilton, the three men convicted of racketeering conspiracy and murder, will face significant penalties for their roles in the gang-related murder. Their prison sentences will likely be lengthy, given the severity of the crimes, and they will also face hefty fines for their involvement in the gang.
The conviction of the three men marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the Highs gang and bring justice to the victims and their families. The men will be sentenced at a later date, and their prison sentences will likely be lengthy, given the severity of the crimes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to target and dismantle violent gangs, bringing justice to those who have been victimized by their crimes. The conviction of the three men is a significant step forward in this effort, and it sends a strong message that violent gang activity will not be tolerated in the city.
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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