Information
Equipo Nizkor
        Bookshop | Donate
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor       

22Sep15

Eight Members of Violent Detroit Street Gang Charged with Rico and Firearms Offenses

Eight members of Band Crew, a northwest Detroit street gang, were charged in an indictment unsealed today with various offenses based on their roles in gang-related attempted murders, robberies and shootings. The charges are the result of the Detroit One initiative, a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community to reduce violent crime in Detroit.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan and Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Division.

According to the indictment, Band Crew was an association comprised of smaller gangs, including Constantly Making Hundreds (CMH), Young N Crispy (YNC), Pushit (or Pusha) Boy Family (PBF), and Family Over Everything Love is Forever (FOE Life). The indictment alleges that Band Crew operated in northwest Detroit, and that members claimed this area as their territory by "tagging" buildings with gang-related graffiti, including markings such as "#22 BandCrew," "BAND CREW," "22 BAND CREW," "YNCMH" and "PBF." The indictment fuller alleges that Band Crew members and associates worked to defend their territory, to promote and maintain the status and reputation of the gang, and to engage in or threaten violence in retaliation for perceived wrongs.

The indictment charges eight Band Crew members with a variety of crimes including attempted murders, shootings, assaults, home invasions and robberies. Specifically:

  • Corey Deandre Mapp, 22, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
  • Alexander Teontae Johnson, 20, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
  • Leo James Johnson, 20, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a stolen firearm.
  • Joseph Hezekiah Ford, 19, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
  • Travontae Javon Joseph, 19, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a stolen firearm.
  • Jamell Loval Smith, 19, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
  • Mario Perkins, 18, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
  • Akeem Arteaze Walker, 19, of Detroit, is charged with RICO conspiracy, use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

All of the defendants are in custody.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the ATF's CVRP Task Force (Comprehensive Violence Reduction Partnership), which consists of representatives of the ATF, Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Corrections. The case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division's Organized Crime and Gang Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Michigan.

[Source: DOJ, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, 22Sep15]
Bookshop Donate Radio Nizkor

Corruption and Organized Crime
small logoThis document has been published on 19Oct15 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.