Rochester, NY – In a harsh blow to the city’s street gangs, 23-year-old Russell ‘TJ’ Hampton was today sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in a violent crew known as the ‘Chain Gang,’ also referred to as the ‘Wolfpack.’
According to U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Hampton was convicted, along with two other gang members, Dearick Smith and Michael Jackson, after a five-week jury trial in July 2011. The jury found Hampton guilty of conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity (RICO), which included narcotics trafficking, murder, attempted murder, and weapons possession.
The investigation focused on the ‘Chain Gang’ crew that terrorized the streets of Chamberlain and Garson Avenues in Rochester. The federal indictment charged 19 gang members with conspiring to use their membership in the Chain Gang to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity that included multiple acts of drug trafficking, the 2007 murder of Carmella Rogers, and the attempted murder of several rival gang members.
Hampton’s sentencing comes after his co-defendant, Dearick Smith, was sentenced to 50 years in prison in July 2013 for his role in the offense. The remaining defendants have all been convicted.
U.S. Attorney Hochul stated, ‘Today’s sentencing is an example of the severe punishment that awaits all gang members who engage in violence and drug trafficking. The streets of our community are no place for such destructive actions and our Office will continue to prosecute any individual or group of individuals who engage in such illicit behavior.’
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Scott Heagney, along with officers and investigators with the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Sheppard.
Defendant: Russell ‘TJ’ Hampton
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity (RICO), including narcotics trafficking, murder, attempted murder, and weapons possession
Location: Rochester, NY
Date: July 2011 (conviction), July 2013 (co-defendant sentenced), July 2023 (Hampton’s sentencing)
Sentence: 30 years in prison and 10 years supervised release
Related Federal Cases
- Junior Rafael Arias Soto, Fentanyl Distribution, New York 2020 · Illinois
- Willie J. Wofford, Armed Drug Trafficking, New York 2018 · Illinois
- Shaquelle Coleman, Crack Cocaine Conviction, New York 2019 · Illinois
- Ira Hall, Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses, New York 2017 · Illinois
- Shameek Halls, Trafficking Crack Cocaine, New York 2023 · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent CrimeDrug Trafficking|Violent Crime