New Haven Gang Member ‘Blamm’ Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charge

Samuel Douglas, 25, a member of the violent New Haven street gang Exit 8, has pleaded guilty to a racketeering offense in U.S. District Court in New Haven.

Douglas, also known as ‘Blamm,’ pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity. According to court documents, Douglas and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders since June 2018.

The investigation, led by the ATF, FBI, DEA, and New Haven Police Department, revealed that Exit 8 members and associates stole vehicles, both within and outside of Connecticut, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence. Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through social media and text messaging.

As part of his plea agreement, Douglas admitted to shooting at and attempting to kill a member and associate of a rival gang in the area of Fountain Street, Davis Street, and Lakeview Terrace in New Haven on June 16, 2018. The intended victim’s associate suffered seven gunshot wounds but survived the attack.

Investigators found 15 spent ammunition casings at the scene. Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for August 6, at which time Douglas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is currently detained.

The investigation is being conducted by the ATF, FBI, DEA, New Haven Police Department, Hamden Police Department, and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale, and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.

This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. PSN aims to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer by bringing together law enforcement and communities. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities through community engagement and law enforcement efforts.

The OCDETF program identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through interagency collaboration and prosecutorial efforts. By working together, law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to making Connecticut’s communities safer and reducing violent crime.