NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A shocking turn of events has unfolded in the city of Newport News, Virginia, as Robbie Bowles, 30, a member of the notorious Thug Relations street gang, was sentenced to 300 months in prison, to run consecutive to a 120 month sentence on an earlier federal firearms conviction. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson, brings an end to a lengthy investigation into the gang’s violent activities and drug trafficking operations.
Bowles pleaded guilty on November 16, 2015, and according to court documents, he was a key player in the Thug Relations gang, which engaged in the distribution of marijuana and crack cocaine. The gang’s activities were marked by violence and intimidation, including physical assaults, home invasions, and numerous shootings, some of which resulted in murders.
One of the most heinous crimes attributed to Bowles was the murder of Aaron Sumler. According to court documents, Bowles threatened Sumler because he and a friend had allegedly been selling cocaine in the area of Aqueduct Apartments, which was part of Thug Relations territory. When those threats went unheeded, Bowles was involved in Sumler’s murder.
In addition to his role in Sumler’s murder, Bowles participated in a home invasion robbery of a rival drug dealer, during which one of the victims was struck in the head with a firearm. He also participated in three separate shootings of rival gang members, causing each victim serious bodily injury.
The investigation into the Thug Relations gang was a joint effort between the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard J. Zlotnick, Lisa R. McKeel, Brian Samuels, and Trial Attorney Yvonne L. Garcia of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section prosecuted the case.
Bowles’ sentencing brings an end to a chapter of violence and intimidation in the city of Newport News, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against organized crime and the importance of law enforcement working together to bring perpetrators to justice.
A copy of the press release can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:14-cr-59.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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