NORFOLK, VA – A federal jury delivered guilty verdicts yesterday to three men accused of orchestrating a deadly campaign of revenge following the murder of a high-ranking gang member. Ronald Jenkins, 42, of Franklin; Japree Brooks, 40, of Murfreesboro, North Carolina; and Malik Newsome, 30, of Ivor, were all found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder stemming from a series of shootings in Franklin, Virginia, dating back to 2017.
The trio, identified as members or associates of a Bloods-affiliated gang, engaged in a brutal tit-for-tat after a rival Crip gang took out one of their own. Court documents detail how the gang responded by hunting down and shooting several members of the opposing crew. Beyond the murder plot, the gang was heavily involved in narcotics trafficking, and used violence – including robberies and beatings – to maintain control of their territory. This wasn’t just a dispute; it was a calculated effort to solidify power through fear.
The charges don’t stop at conspiracy. Brooks and Jenkins were also convicted of attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Brooks faced additional convictions for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and for illegally possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon. Newsome was found guilty of tampering with witnesses, attempting to silence those who might have cooperated with authorities. The ATF and its partners have been building this case for years, painstakingly connecting the dots between each act of violence.
The sentencing guidelines are severe. Jenkins is facing a maximum of 30 years behind bars, with a sentencing date set for April 16, 2024. Brooks is looking at a mandatory minimum of 10 years, but could receive a life sentence, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2024. Newsome also faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, with sentencing slated for April 23, 2024. The judge will consider federal sentencing guidelines and other factors when determining the final punishment.
The investigation was a multi-agency effort, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, alongside Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Franklin Police Department, and the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced the convictions, highlighting the collaborative nature of the case.
This case was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, a program designed to dismantle the most dangerous criminal organizations in the country. Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Taylor, with assistance from legal intern Madison Albrecht, prosecuted the case, building a solid case against the gang members. The streets of Franklin are a little safer today, but this conviction sends a clear message: the feds are watching, and violence will be met with swift and decisive justice.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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