MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Montez Brown, 32, known on the streets as “Tez Blood,” will spend the next 19.5 years in federal prison after being sentenced Wednesday for his role in the ruthless Minneapolis Highs gang. Brown, a high-level fentanyl trafficker, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, admitting to years of criminal activity including attempted murder and possession of a machine gun. The sentence, handed down by Judge Nancy E. Brasel, reflects the severity of the gang’s grip on the city’s north side.
Federal prosecutors detailed a chilling portrait of the Highs, a criminal enterprise that has operated with impunity near the intersection of West Broadway and Lyndale Avenue North since 2004. The gang doesn’t just deal drugs and commit robberies; it demands loyalty through violence. Prospective members “put in work” – committing acts of violence or providing access to drugs and firearms – to prove their worth. An explicit directive within the Highs is to actively “hunt” rival gang members, a cold-blooded order to locate and kill.
U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger didn’t mince words. “We are addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity,” he stated. “Minneapolis gangs have caused a staggering amount of damage to the community through retaliatory shootings, narcotics trafficking, and other illicit activity. Individuals who choose to fuel violence and destruction on behalf of a criminal enterprise such as this will be held accountable under federal law.” The Highs openly flaunt their illegal gains, posting images of cash, drugs, and weapons on social media – a brazen display of their power and disregard for the law.
Brown isn’t the only Highs member facing serious time. Chase Robertson, aka “Chase Loco,” 25, of St. Paul, received 75 months in prison on February 22, 2024, for RICO conspiracy. Tony Jelks, aka “BD,” 30, of Minneapolis, got 156 months on April 10, 2024, for the same charge. Randy Tate, 32, of Minneapolis, was sentenced to 115 months on April 4, 2024, also for RICO conspiracy. Trevoneia Felton, aka “Tre,” 22, of St. Paul, received 82 months on April 3, 2024, for RICO conspiracy.
The net is tightening. Douglas Mobley, aka “Nut,” 36, of St. Paul, Christopher Finch, aka “Twin,” 23, of Minneapolis, and Isaac Hodge, aka “Ike,” 47, of Minneapolis, have all pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. While this round of convictions offers a temporary reprieve for Minneapolis residents, it’s clear the Highs gang has deep roots and dismantling it will require a sustained, relentless effort from federal law enforcement. The ATF and the US Attorney’s office will continue to pursue members and associates of this dangerous criminal enterprise.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are confident more arrests are on the horizon. The sentencing of Montez Brown sends a clear message: Minneapolis streets are not open season for gang warfare. The Grimy Times will continue to track this case and report on the ongoing battle against organized crime in the Twin Cities.
Related Federal Cases
- William Johnson, Murder and RICO Conspiracy, Minneapolis MN, 2023 · Texas
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- Rory Meeks, Marijuana Conspiracy, Cedar Rapids IA, 2013 · Iowa
- Rory Meeks, Conspiracy to Manufacture Marijuana, IA, 2013 · Iowa
- Chad Root, Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine, IA, 2023 · Iowa
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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