ALMIGHTY IMPERIAL GANGSTER MEMBER CONVICTED OF MURDER

FROM:  JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 
Monday, January 27, 2014
Almighty Imperial Gangster Member Convicted of Murder and Violent Crime Offenses
Six Additional Gang Members Have Recently Pleaded Guilty for Their Roles in Murders and Attempted Murders

Richard Reyes, a member of the Almighty Imperial Gangsters, has been convicted at trial for his role in violent acts as a member of a criminal street gang that operated in Northwest Indiana and is accused of engaging in drug trafficking and acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder and robbery.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David Capp of the Northern District of Indiana made the announcement.

Reyes, 41, of Hammond, Ind., was convicted by a federal jury on Jan. 24, 2014, for his role in the murder of rival Latin King gang member Rene Alonzo on Sept. 16, 2007.   According to evidence at trial, Reyes fatally shot Alonzo outside of the U.S. Bar in East Chicago.   Reyes was convicted of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and murder in aid of racketeering activity, which each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison; and murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence, which carries a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years in prison consecutive to any other sentence and a maximum of life in prison.

Reyes was among 24 individuals charged in this investigation, and 22 have pleaded guilty, including six men who pleaded guilty in January 2014.   Those charged are accused of having participated collectively in 14 murders and eight attempted murders from 2002 to 2012 as part of their criminal enterprise.   Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial.

On Jan. 13, 2014, Salvador Chavez, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Chief Judge Philip P. Simon in the Northern District of Indiana to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity.

On Jan. 10, 2014, Jason Medina, aka Burns, 30; Edward Raye Serna, 34; and Armando Jose Velasquez, aka Money, age 26, all of East Chicago, Ind., pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Simon.   Medina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence; and attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.   Medina admitted that he used a firearm to murder Guadalupe Trevino on July 24, 2005, and attempted to murder a victim on June 6, 2011.  Sentencing for Medina is scheduled for June 19, 2014.   Edward Serna pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity and admitted to his participation in the same attempted murder on June 6, 2011.   Sentencing for Edward Serna is also set for June 19, 2014.   Velasquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity.   Velasquez admitted he used a firearm on Dec. 3, 2011, when he attempted to murder a victim in aid of racketeering activity.   Sentencing for Velasquez is scheduled for June 6, 2014.

On Jan. 3, 2014, Julian Guillermo Serna, aka Big Ju, 24, and Vincent Garza, aka Chente, 22, pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Simon.   Julian Serna pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and to murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence.   Julian Serna admitted that he used a firearm to murder Mario Soriano on March 25, 2008.   Sentencing for Julian Serna is scheduled for July 25, 2014.   Garza pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and two counts of homicide in aid of racketeering activity, which each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.   Garza admitted that he participated in the murder of Michael Sessum and Miguel Mejias on June 3, 2008.   Sentencing for Garza is scheduled for July 24, 2104.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department and the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Bruce Hegyi of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section.

TWO BLOODS GANG MEMBERS CONVICTED FOR THREE MURDERS

Friday, March 23, 2012

Two Bloods Gang Members in Tennessee Convicted for Roles in Three Murders, Racketeering Conspiracy and Firearms Offenses

WASHINGTON – A federal jury in Nashville, Tenn., has convicted two Bloods gang members for their roles in the murder of three individuals, a racketeering conspiracy and committing firearms offenses, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin for the Middle District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Glenn N. Anderson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division.

           

Keairus Wilson, 22, aka “Key-Thang,” of Nashville, and Rondarius Williamson, 21, also of Nashville, were convicted yesterday in U.S. District Court in Nashville.

Wilson was found guilty on eight counts, including the murders of Michael Goins and Alexandra Franklin.   He also was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, using and carrying firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence, and conspiracy to use and carry firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence.  

Williamson was found guilty on seven counts, including the murder of Andreus Taylor.   He also was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, using and carrying firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence, and conspiracy to use and carry firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence.   

“This Nashville jury has convicted two dangerous members of the Bloods gang for acts of murder and other violent crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer.   “The evidence showed, among other things, that Mr. Wilson shot and killed two people and Mr. Williamson shot and killed another person.   For their terrorizing conduct, they now each face mandatory life prison terms.   To date, 37 individuals have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial in Nashville for their involvement with the Bloods.   Through coordinated investigations and prosecutions of the Bloods, Crips, Aryan Brotherhood, Latin Kings, MS-13 and other violent gangs across the country, this Justice Department is working hard to make our communities safer.”

“The verdicts in this case demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the law enforcement agencies and the prosecution team to hold those accountable who insist on creating an atmosphere of violence and sustaining fear in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Martin.  “We will continue to vigorously pursue those who engage in such activity and bring them to justice.”

“Jurors in Nashville have sent a loud and clear message with regard to Kearius Wilson and Rondarius Williamson,” said ATF Special Agent In Charge Anderson.   “A lifelong sentence to the Bureau of Prisons could be on the horizon for both of these individuals.  Criminal activity involving senseless acts of murder, gun crimes and other gang-related activity to promote their lifestyle will always be a concern of the law enforcement officers who have worked relentlessly in this long term investigation.   Other gang members in Nashville and across the United States could face similar consequences as cases like these are presented in court.  Today, our neighborhoods are a safer place as this case continues to unfold through the investigative work of all the law enforcement agencies involved.”

According to evidence presented at trial, Wilson and Williamson were both members of the Bloods, a violent street gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1970s and ultimately migrated to cities throughout the United States, including Nashville.   Specifically, Wilson was a member of the Eastside Skyline Piru set of the Bloods, and Williamson was a member of the Tree Top Piru set of the Bloods.   The Bloods gang has a hierarchal structure and a long-term and often lethal rivalry with the Crips gang.  

From approximately 2006 until December 2011, Bloods gang members committed and conspired to commit acts of murder, attempted murder, robbery and drug trafficking.  Evidence at trial showed that the Bloods gang members met regularly to plan and agree upon the crimes to commit, including murder; maintained and circulated a collection of firearms for use in criminal activity by Bloods members; distributed cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana and hydromorphone; and used the proceeds of those drug transactions to help finance the gang’s illegal activities.   Bloods gang members committed murder and other acts of violence against rival gang members and others during the course of the conspiracy.  

           

According to evidence presented at trial, Wilson and Williamson committed or conspired to commit numerous racketeering acts, including shooting at three different individuals and possessing and selling drugs.   In addition, evidence specifically showed that Wilson shot and killed Goins on June 14, 2008, and shot and killed Franklin on July 19, 2008.   Evidence also showed that Williamson shot and killed Taylor on May 18, 2009, and robbed and carjacked an individual on Oct. 31, 2009.

        

Wilson and Williamson face mandatory penalties of life in prison. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger scheduled sentencing for July 5, 2012.  

Thirty-five individuals have pleaded guilty in the Middle District of Tennessee to various crimes related to their involvement in the Bloods gang.   Kenneth Gaddie, aka “K.G.,” remains a fugitive. 

Lonnie Greenlee, co-founder of the Galaxy Star Drug Awareness and Gang Prevention Center in Nashville and father of lead defendant Lonnie Newsome, allowed Bloods gang members to use the facility to conduct gang meetings.   According to evidence presented at trial, Greenlee provided numerous Bloods gang members with fraudulent documentation of court-ordered community service hours in exchange for money.   Greenlee pleaded guilty in May 2011 to one count of racketeering conspiracy.   His sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2012.   

The investigation was a joint operation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; U.S. Marshals Service; the LaVergne, Tenn., Police Department; and the Davidson County, Tenn., Sheriff’s Office.   The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Cody L. Skipper of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scarlett M. Singleton for the Middle District of Tennessee.