Alleged gang members nabbed
Published 9:48 pm Friday, April 9, 2010
Two Suffolk residents and others with ties to the city have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to gang activity in Suffolk, Portsmouth and Chesapeake, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Norfolk.
Danyell Jamar White, 21, and Cameron Mychal Evans, 21, both of Suffolk, were among eight suspects “charged with terrorizing neighborhoods in Portsmouth, Suffolk and Chesapeake,” U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride stated in an announcement of the indictments.
The defendants are alleged to be top generals, leaders and gang members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods and the Nine Tech Gangsters, and have been operating in Portsmouth, Suffolk and Chesapeake neighborhoods since the early 2000s, officials said.
The two gangs joined forces in a procedure called “tying flags” to increase their influence and improve their ability to make money in those areas, prosecutors said.
According to a press release issued by MacBride’s office, the men who were arrested are accused of “violently retaliating against rivals — including one charged murder — and financially supporting the enterprise by trafficking illegal drugs and through robberies.”
The two men from Suffolk were not charged with the most serious offenses, but each faces multiple felony counts.
White, also known as “Putt,” is alleged to be a leader within the Bounty Hunter Bloods set of the Bloods street gang in Suffolk. He is charged with 12 counts, including kidnapping and assault. Evans, also known as “Cam,” is alleged to be a gang member and is charged with racketeering conspiracy and assault.
Eric Drandell Ward, 28, of Portsmouth, also known as “Lil E,” is also alleged to be a leader within the Bounty Hunter Bloods gang in Suffolk. He is charged with 10 counts, including seriously injuring one person and maiming another.
Also indicted were the following:
James Alexander Mack, 25, of Portsmouth, also known as “OG Mack,” whom prosecutors say founded and led the criminal enterprise. He is charged with carrying out and directing others to carry out “missions” aimed at promoting the status of the organization. He is charged with 86 of the 108 counts in the indictment, including attempted murder and extensive narcotics distribution.
Jamel Spaights, 28, of Portsmouth, also known as “Mel” or “Bloody Bastard,” who is alleged to be the leader of the Nine Tech Gangsters set of the Bloods street gang in Portsmouth. He is charged with 18 counts in the indictment, including attempted murder.
James Martin Harris, 22, of Portsmouth, also known as “Bloody 45,” who is alleged to be a leader within the Nine Tech Gangsters and was charged with five counts, including the murder of Darius Powell on Aug. 25, 2006.
Arous John Phillips, 22, of Portsmouth, also known as “AJ” and “Villan,” who is alleged to be a leader within the Bounty Hunter Bloods set of the Bloods street gang in Portsmouth. He is charged with 12 counts, including the murder of Darius Powell and attempted murder of another individual.
Craig Steven Foster, 23, of Portsmouth, also known as “Light Bright,” who is alleged to be a gang member and is charged with a racketeering conspiracy and assault.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the Suffolk and Portsmouth police departments and the Virginia State Police, according to MacBride’s office, which made the announcement along with representatives of those agencies after the indictment was unsealed and those charged were in police custody.
Some of the accused were due in federal court for arraignment on Friday, according to Deanna Warren, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office.