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Seven Manatee County Men Charged in Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Six Murders
Tampa, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, seven men from Manatee County have been charged in a federal racketeering conspiracy case that involves six murders, according to court documents unsealed on [date].
The indictment alleges that Jordan Rodriguez (24), Andrew Thompson (23), Alfonzo Churchwell (31), Juan Ortiz (24), Raymy Escoto (23), Phillip Uscanga (24), and Jesse Rodriguez (20) were part of an ongoing criminal enterprise in Manatee County that furthered their illegal activities by using and threatening to use various levels of violence, ranging from simple assault to murder.
According to the indictment, on January 1, 2016, Thompson shot and killed Demetrius Robinson and Florence Randall. On the same day, Jordan Rodriguez, Ortiz, Escoto, and Uscanga committed a drive-by shooting, killing Julio Tellez. On September 11, 2017, Churchwell shot and killed Earnestine Gardner. On January 13, 2017, Thompson shot and killed LaShawna Stevenson-Weeks and Berry Joseph.
The indictment also alleges that Jesse Rodriguez, Jordan Rodriguez, Andrew Thompson, and Alfonzo Churchwell used and maintained a drug premises. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has violated one or more of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Natalie Hirt Adams and Christopher F. Murray.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001.
The indictment charges the defendants with the following counts:
- Count One: RICO Conspiracy (Life in federal prison)
- Count Two: Drug Trafficking Conspiracy (20 years in federal prison)
- Count Three: Arson Conspiracy (Minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison)
- Count Four: Arson (Minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison)
- Count Five: Possession with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine (20 years in federal prison)
- Count Six: Discharge of a firearm resulting in death of Earnestine Gardner, during and in relation to a drug trafficking conspiracy (Minimum mandatory term of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison)
- Count Seven: Felon in possession of ammunition
Anyone with information relevant to this case is encouraged to call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or email ATFTips@atf.gov.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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