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Violent Gang Leaders Face Life in Prison
BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a shocking turn of events, Dewayne Gray, 31, aka Whip, and his sister Erika Gray, 34, aka Tek, both of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy in front of U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. This plea deal marks the end of a long investigation into the LRGP gang, which operated primarily in the area of Lombard, Rother, Playter and Gibson Streets in the City of Buffalo.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Duszkiewicz and Joel L. Violanti, Dewayne Gray was the leader of the LRGP gang, which was responsible for violent criminal activity, including the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine, and the use of firearms. Erika Gray was an associate of the gang and participated in the distribution and sales of crack cocaine, as well as the racketeering activities of the gang.
As leader of the LRGP Gang, Dewayne Gray organized and managed gang members, and the narcotics distribution and sales. He maintained 42 Memorial Drive and 29 Meyers Street in Buffalo for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing crack cocaine. The investigation revealed that Gray continued to distribute crack cocaine with other gang members out of residences on Houghton and Warren Avenues in Buffalo after his arrest in 2012.
Erika Gray was arrested in 2012 but continued to distribute crack cocaine after her release from custody. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara. Dewayne Gray faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $2,500,000 fine, while Erika Gray faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and an $8,000,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. praised the investigation, stating, ‘This represents yet another instance where this office used racketeering charges to completely decimate a violent street gang. This office will continue to target such gangs until they are a thing of the past.’
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Delano A. Reid, New York Field Office and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
This plea deal is a significant blow to the LRGP gang, and serves as a warning to other gangs operating in the area. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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