The Detroit One collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement has led to charges against six members of the Latin Counts street gang for committing murder conspiracy and two non-fatal shootings that occurred in southwest Detroit on October 7, 2017, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today.

Joining Schneider in the announcement were Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Detroit Division, FBI SAC, and Chief James Craig, Detroit Police Department.

According to the superseding indictment, the Latin Counts gang operates primarily in southwest Detroit and the downriver communities of Lincoln Park and Ecorse.  The superseding indictment alleges that the Latin Counts are a criminal enterprise responsible for murders, robberies, and the distribution of illegal drugs.  The Latin Counts use violence to retaliate against rivals, to intimidate citizens in the community, and to advance members’ positions within the gang. 

Under the Detroit One initiative, and through the lead efforts of the ATF and the Detroit Homicide Task Force, law enforcement identified six violent members of the Latin Counts gang responsible for the shooting.

The two defendants arrested today were:

Ryan Jose Taylor, a/k/a “Loco,” 22, of Detroit, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence;

 

Christopher Nicholas Rishell, a/k/a “C-5,” 28, of Lincoln Park, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The four defendants who are already in federal or state custody are:

Alberto Devin Roldan-Jackson, a/k/a “Berto,” 19, of Detroit, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, possession of a firearm and ammunition by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence;

 

Justin Robert Feiler, a/k/a “White Boi,” 21, of Detroit, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence;

 

Gabriel Arocho, a/k/a “Kid” and “Big Kid,” 35, of Detroit, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence;

 

Darnell Watson, a/k/a “Shadow,” 23, of Lincoln Park, charged with conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

 

“This appalling shooting took place in a residential neighborhood and resulted in the killing of a suspected Latin Counts gang member and injuring two others.  The Detroit One partners will continue to be relentless in our efforts to rid our neighborhoods of gang violence,” U.S. Attorney Schneider said.

“Protecting the public from violent criminals is at the heart of ATF’s mission,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir.  “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rid our community of these violent gang members.”

"The Detroit One initiative strives to create a higher quality of life for all residents in the City of Detroit by eliminating the threat of gang violence”, said Timothy R. Slater, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit FBI.  “Investigating, arresting, and charging violent gang members, such as those in the Latin Counts, who seek to terrorize our local communities will continue to be a mainstay for the FBI and each of our law enforcement partners”.     

Detroit One is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community to reduce homicides and other violent crimes in Detroit.  By working together, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies strive to maximize their ability to identify and arrest individuals and groups initiating violence in Detroit.  Since its launch in 2013, homicides are down 30% and non-fatal shootings are down 45%, when comparing the homicide and shooting totals from 2012 to the totals in 2017.

The two defendants arrested today will be making their initial appearances in federal court in Detroit this afternoon.  The other four defendants will appear in federal court on later dates.

A superseding indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Louis Crisostomo and Eric Straus.