BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a shocking turn of events, 19-year-old Dwight Mitchell, a member of the notorious Bailey Boys street gang, has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a violent crime committed in aid of a racketeering enterprise.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Mitchell, who was only 16 years old when he participated in the murder, could have asked for a hearing to determine if he should be treated as a juvenile offender or as an adult, but waived his right to the hearing.
According to court documents, on November 29, 2010, Mitchell and fellow gang members proceeded to the Super Stop Food Market at 970 Kensington Avenue to see if any members of the rival “Midway Crew” gang were inside. After scouting the store, two members of the group reported back to the others, and it was agreed that an individual identified as “TS,” who was seeking membership into the Bailey Boys gang, would return to the market to shoot one of the individuals in the store.
Mitchell was sent to accompany “TS” to ensure that he did the shooting. Once back at the Super Stop Food Market, Mitchell held the door open for “TS” who fired several shots into the store, one of which struck Charles Myles-Jones in the chest, fatally wounding him.
In pleading guilty, Mitchell admitted that at the time of the murder, he was a member of the Bailey Boys and that he participated in the murder to both enhance his own standing in the gang and to help “TS,” who was not a Bailey Boys member at the time, to gain entry into the gang.
“Experience has shown that gang members often use juveniles to commit acts of violence, with the belief that such juveniles will avoid being treated as adults in the criminal justice system,” said U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. “Today’s plea should send a message that such a belief is unfounded.”
Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced on August 26, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The victim, Charles Myles-Jones, was an employee of the Super Stop Food Market and was not affiliated with any gang.
RELATED: 107-Year Term for Teenager’s Killer in Mo.
RELATED: Des Moines Kingpin Gets 21+ Years for Fentanyl Flood
Related Federal Cases
- Buffalo Officer Lance Woods Arraigned for Murder · New York
- Sununu Declares War on Trump’s GOP Grip · New Hampshire
- Wall Street Bailout: NY & CA Lose $2 Trillion · North Carolina
- “K Money” Crumbles: Wall St. Pretender Admits $2M Scam · New York
- PPE Lie: Edison Execs Plead Guilty to $10M Scam · Ohio
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News