Baltimore, Maryland – On June 6, 2018, United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced David Albert Hunter, a/k/a Lil Dave, a/k/a Dave, age 31, of Baltimore, Maryland to 321 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family gang’s Greenmount Avenue Regime. Hunter distributed drugs in the gang’s territory and committed multiple acts of violence, including two murders. The Court found at sentencing that a total prison term of 33 years was appropriate, but it adjusted the sentence downward to account for the fact that Hunter has served 75 months in prison in connection with three related state cases.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Varisco of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore Field Office; Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle of the Baltimore Police Department; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to his plea agreement, Hunter admitted that he shot and killed Henry Mills, a/k/a “Nique,” in the 2400 block of Greenmount Avenue on June 14, 2011. After murdering Mills, Hunter participated in a BGF meeting at Mund Park, during which fellow BGF and others congratulated Hunter for the just-completed murder. Hunter also admitted to distributing drugs in furtherance of BGF, and that it was reasonably foreseeable to him that members of the gang would distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base.
The government presented further evidence of Hunter’s criminal conduct during the roughly two-month jury trial against three of Hunter’s co-defendants—Gerald Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” Kenneth Jones, a/k/a “Slay,” and Marquise McCants, a/k/a “Digga.” Notably, the government presented evidence that on July 22, 2005, in the 200 block of E. 22nd Street, Hunter shot and killed Dante Jordan using a .32-caliber handgun. The Court found at sentencing that Hunter was responsible for Jordan’s murder.
The following eight co-defendants, also members of the BGF gang, have all previously pleaded guilty or were found to be guilty of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws;
Joseph Laurence Bonds, a/k/a/ Joe, a/k/a Yo Gotti, age 36;
Wesley Jamal Brown, a/k/a Shike White, a/k/a Wes, age 25;
Kenneth Lee Faison, a/k/a Roscoe, age 28;
Norman Tyrone Handy, a/k/a Lil Norm, a/k/a Norm, age 23;
Montel Harvey, a/k/a Telly, a/k/a Telephone, a/k/a Big Head, age 26;
Kenneth Jones, a/k/a K-Slay, and Slay, age 30
Gerald Thomas Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” age 35; and
Marquise McCants, a/k/a Digga, age 25.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina Hoffman, who prosecuted the case.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – On May 10, 2018, United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Kenneth Jones, a/k/a “K-Slay”, and “Slay,” age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland to life in prison for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang’s Greenmount Avenue Regime. Jones was responsible for three separate murders and at least one attempted murder as the primary enforcer for the gang. In January, Jones was convicted by a federal jury of racketeering conspiracy, as well as conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to the evidence presented at the two-month trial, Jones was a member of an organization known today as the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime, a violent set, or “bubble,” of BGF. During the early years in which it operated, the gang called itself the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF, and consisted mostly of younger people who lived in the 2200, 2300, and 2400 blocks of Barclay Street and Guilford Avenue. YGF members sold drugs throughout the Greenmount Avenue corridor and committed murders, shootings, and armed robberies.
In about mid-2007, YGF members took the BGF oath and became the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime. According to evidence presented at trial, the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime continued to sell drugs and commit violent acts, including murders, shootings, and robberies, and by mid-2013 controlled the roughly rectangular area bordered by Greenmount Avenue to the east; Guilford Avenue to the west; 25th Street to the north; and Federal Street to the south, as well as certain offshoots east of Greenmount Avenue, including Mund Park and Cokesbury Avenue.
Between 2005 and 2017, the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime and its members were responsible for seven murders; three non-fatal shootings; more than 10 armed robberies; and over 12 years of street-level drug dealing. The government proved at trial that Jones was responsible for three of these murders and a fourth attempted murder.
In January 2007, co-conspirator Gerald Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” authorized the murder of YGF associate Gregory Rochester, a/k/a “Craig Mack,” both because Rochester was rumored to be cooperating with the law enforcement and because Johnson believed that Rochester had stolen drugs from him. Pursuant to Johnson’s order, Jones and two other YGF members shot and killed Rochester inside a residence that was used by YGF to package and store narcotics.
The Court also found at sentencing that Jones was responsible for the May 7, 2013 murder of Trevon White, a/k/a “Country.” Like Jones, White was a member of the BGF Greenmount Regime. The government proved at trial that Jones shot White to death, in the presence of two other BGF members, with a 9mm handgun in the 300 block of E. 22nd Street in Batimore.
Jones was also responsible for the murder of Thabiti Wheeler, an unauthorized taxi or “hack” driver, in March of 2013. The government proved at trial that Jones shot Wheeler 18 times, with the same gun he used to kill Trevon White, while the two men were in Wheeler’s car.
Lastly, Jones was responsible for the October 5, 2013 non-fatal shooting of Lamontae Smith. Smith testified at trial that Jones shot him in the arm in the 300 block of E. 24th St. Smith explained that prior to the shooting, three of his fellow BGF members, including Shawn Gregg, Tavon Thompson, a/k/a “Man Man,” and Nate Brown, had attempted to shoot Jones as retaliation for Jones’ murder of Trevon White. Following that attempted shooting, Smith learned from a co-conspirator that Jones believed—incorrectly, as it turned out—that Smith had been involved in the attempt on his life.
The following eight co-defendants, also members of the BGF gang, have all previously pleaded guilty or were found to be guilty of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws;
Joseph Laurence Bonds, a/k/a/ Joe, a/k/a Yo Gotti, age 36;
Wesley Jamal Brown, a/k/a Shike White, a/k/a Wes, age 25;
Kenneth Lee Faison, a/k/a Roscoe, age 28;
Norman Tyrone Handy, a/k/a Lil Norm, a/k/a Norm, age 23;
Montel Harvey, a/k/a Telly, a/k/a Telephone, a/k/a Big Head, age 26;
David Albert Hunter, a/k/a Lil Dave, a/k/a Dave, age 31;
Gerald Thomas Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” age 35; and
Marquise McCants, a/k/a Digga, age 25.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina Hoffman, who prosecuted the case.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Gerald Thomas Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, to life in prison for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang’s Greenmount Avenue Regime. Johnson was convicted by a federal jury of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws, as well as conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, possession of ammunition by a felon, and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Darryl DeSousa of the Baltimore Police Department; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
According to the evidence presented at the two-month trial, Johnson was the leader of an organization known today as the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime, a violent set, or “bubble,” of BGF. During the early years in which it operated, the gang called itself the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF, and consisted mostly of younger people who lived in the 2200, 2300, and 2400 blocks of Barclay Street and Guilford Avenue. YGF members sold drugs throughout the Greenmount Avenue corridor and committed murders, shootings, and armed robberies.
In about mid-2007, YGF members took the BGF oath and became the BGF Greenmount Regime. According to evidence presented at trial, the BGF Greenmount Regime continued to sell drugs and commit violent acts, including murders, shootings and robberies, and by mid-2013 controlled the roughly rectangular area bordered by Greenmount Avenue to the east; Guilford Avenue to the west; 25th Street to the north; and Federal Street to the south, as well as certain offshoots east of Greenmount Avenue, including Mund Park and Cokesbury Avenue.
Between 2005 and 2017, the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime and its members were responsible for seven murders; three non-fatal shootings; more than 10 armed robberies; and over 12 years of street-level drug dealing.
In his capacity as a leader of BGF, Johnson supplied his fellow gang members with powder and crack cocaine, as well as heroin, ecstasy, marijuana and oxycodone, for further distribution on the street. He also distributed narcotics himself.
Johnson also ordered the commission of multiple acts of violence, including two murders. First, in January 2007, he ordered the murder of Gregory Rochester, a/k/a “Craig Mack,” because Rochester was rumored to be cooperating with law enforcement and because Johnson suspected that Rochester had stolen drugs from the gang. On January 9, 2007, YGF members Kenneth Jones, a/k/a “Slay,” and Charles Pace, a/k/a “Foo,” carried out Johnson’s directive and murdered Rochester inside an apartment building in the 200 block of East 25th Street.
Second, in April 2013, Johnson ordered the murder of Moses Malone. Johnson authorized the murder after learning that Malone had provided information to Baltimore City Police detectives regarding a robbery and shooting committed by BGF member Norman Handy. Malone was the victim of that shooting. During his interview with police detectives, Malone had picked Handy out of a photo array as the person who shot him. On May 2, 2013, BGF member Wesley Brown carried out Johnson’s directive and murdered Malone in the 600 block of Cokesbury Avenue.
Prior to his conviction in this case, Johnson was acquitted of gang-related offenses following a jury trial in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
The following eight co-defendants, also members of the BGF gang, have all previously pleaded guilty or were found to be guilty of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws;
Joseph Laurence Bonds, a/k/a/ Joe, a/k/a Yo Gotti, age 36; Wesley Jamal Brown, a/k/a Shike White a/k/a Wes, age 25; Kenneth Lee Faison, a/k/a Roscoe, age 28; Norman Tyrone Handy, a/k/a Lil Norm, a/k/a Norm, age 23; Montel Harvey, a/k/a Telly, a/k/a Telephone, a/k/a Big Head, age 26; David Albert Hunter, a/k/a Lil Dave, a/k/a Dave, age 31; Kenneth Jones, a/k/a, K-Slay, a/k/a Slay, age 30; and Marquise McCants, a/k/a Digga, age 25.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina Hoffman, who prosecuted the case.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md at (410) 209-4885
Baltimore, Maryland –A federal jury has convicted three defendants for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang’s Greenmount Avenue Regime. Gerald Thomas Johnson, a/k/a Geezy, and Gzy Tha Prince, age 35; Kenneth Jones, a/k/a, K-Slay, and Slay, age 30; and Marquise McCants, a/k/a Digga, age 25, all of Baltimore, Maryland, were convicted of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws.
Johnson was also convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, possession of ammunition by a felon and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. McCants was convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon.
The following six co-defendants, also members of the BGF gang, had all previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws;
Wesley Jamal Brown, a/k/a Shike White and Wes, age 25
David Albert Hunter, a/k/a Lil Dave, and Dave, age 30;
Montel Harvey, a/k/a Telly, Telephone, and Big Head, age 25;
Kenneth Lee Faison, a/k/a Roscoe, age 28;
Joseph Laurence Bonds, a/k/a/ Joe, and Yo Gotti, age 36; and
Norman Tyrone Handy, a/k/a Lil Norm, and Norm, age 23.
The conviction was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Darryl De Sousa of the Baltimore Police Department; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
“This case is emblematic of the ability of federal prosecution, using tolls such as RICO, to go after the violent gangs plaguing Baltimore City. The federal agents and task force officers worked long hours with the AUSAs to build this case which resulted in a successful outcome,” said Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning.
“These convicted defendants are ruthless gang members, who acted with a total disregard for the sanctity of human life. Make no mistake, their cowardice behavior and violent criminal acts terrorized our communities,” said Daniel L. Board, Jr., ATF Baltimore Field Division Special Agent in Charge. “But today’s verdict is true justice for the involved victims and their families, and the citizens of Baltimore. This result is the culmination of nearly two years of relentless, dedicated work by ATF Baltimore, the Baltimore City Police Department and our formidable partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office.”
According to the evidence presented at the two-month trial, the defendants were members of an organization known today as the BGF Greenmount Regime, a violent set, or “bubble,” of BGF. During the early years in which it operated, the gang called itself the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF, and consisted mostly of younger people who lived in the 2200, 2300, and 2400 blocks of Barclay Street and Guilford Avenue. YGF members sold drugs throughout the Greenmount Avenue corridor and committed murders, shootings, and armed robberies.
In about mid-2007, YGF members took the BGF oath and became the BGF Greenmount Regime. According to evidence presented at trial, the BGF Greenmount Regime continued to sell drugs and commit violent acts, including murders, shootings and robberies, and by mid-2013 controlled the roughly rectangular area bordered by Greenmount Avenue to the east; Guilford Avenue to the west; 25th Street to the north; and Federal Street to the south, as well as certain offshoots east of Greenmount Avenue, including Mund Park and Cokesbury Avenue.
Beginning in 2005, Johnson supplied drugs to the YGF members for further distribution and was the leader of YGF. During the conspiracy, the defendants distributed powder and crack cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, marijuana, and oxycodone. BGF Greenmount Regime members and associates purchased, maintained and circulated weapons and firearms for use in criminal activity by BGF members.
In addition, the defendants committed acts of violence, including seven murders, shootings, stabbings, a home invasion robbery and other armed robberies. The violent acts were intended to further the gang’s activities, including intimidating witnesses to prevent them from cooperating with law enforcement, protecting the gang’s drug territory, financing the dues paid to BGF, and enforcing gang rules.
For example, on January 9, 2007, Jones and another YGF member shot and killed an individual. Johnson authorized the killing of this individual in his capacity as a leader of YGF because the victim was rumored to be cooperating with law enforcement and Johnson believed the victim had stolen drugs from him. McCants also attempted to murder another individual on February 4, 2017, shooting them multiple times in the legs and back.
Johnson, Jones and McCants face a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. Johnson also faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for conspiring to commit murder in aid of racketeering and life in prison for murder in aid of racketeering. In addition, Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Johnson on April 20, 2018 at 2 p.m.; McCants on May 9, 2018 at 2 p.m.; and Jones on May 10, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the United States District Court in Baltimore, Maryland.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the ATF, FBI, Baltimore City Police Department, Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina Hoffman, who prosecuted the case.
