Leon Williams, Drug-Related Shooting, Florida 2018
A federal jury had found Leon Williams and Reginald Jones, Jr. guilty on November 15, 2019, for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, and for discharging a firearm during and in relation to that conspiracy.
On May 29, 2018, in the middle of the afternoon, Williams and Jones acted as enforcers for the Bird Gang by shooting at people whom they believed had been communicating with law enforcement in an effort to stop the gang from selling drugs at the Blue House.
Bullets fired by Williams, Jones, and their associates seriously injured one person, struck a car, and broke windows at a company located two blocks away, where almost 400 people were present at the time of the shooting.
The Bird Gang, a violent street-level drug trafficking organization, has operated in Tampa Park for years and is responsible for multiple homicides and shootings.
The gang principally sold drugs at two locations, the Tampa Park housing complex and a nearby boarding house known as the “Blue House,” which the Bird Gang had essentially taken over.
According to the evidence presented during the two-week trial, Williams and Jones are members of the Bird Gang.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
It is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle the Bird Gang, so far resulting in charges against 30 defendants.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.
Leon Williams was sentenced to 17 years and 6 months in prison, while Reginald Jones, Jr. was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in prison.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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