Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The collaboration of local, state and federal law enforcement under the Detroit One program has led to the indictment and arrests of 12 members of the Crips street gang in northwest Detroit, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

Joining McQuade in the announcement was Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division and Chief James Craig, Detroit Police Department.

According to the indictment, the Detroit chapter of the "Rollin 60s Crips" is a branch of the national street gang founded in Los Angeles in the mid-1970s. Starting around 2006, a Detroit set of the Rollin 60s was created, and now has approximately 150 members. The indictment alleges that the Rollin 60s Detroit chapter is a violent organization responsible for assaults, robberies, carjackings and the unlawful possession and trafficking of firearms and narcotics in the Detroit metropolitan area during the last nine years. The gang uses violence to avenge acts of rival gang members, to intimidate witnesses and to advance members’ positions within the gang.

Under the Detroit One initiative, and through the lead efforts of ATF’s Comprehensive Violence Reduction Partnership ("CVRP") and the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, law enforcement has identified the leaders and key members of this organization, and charged 12 individuals by indictment in federal court. The CVRP

includes representatives of the Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Corrections.

Among those charged today are:

• Jerome Hamilton 23, of Detroit, charged with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO") conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and using a firearm during a crime of violence;

• Darriyon Mills, 24, of Detroit, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, carjacking and using a firearm during a crime of violence;

• Jonathan Barber, 24, of Detroit, charged with RICO conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and carrying and using an explosive device to commit a felony;

• Deaires Foster, 22, of Irondale, Alabama, charged with RICO conspiracy;

• Martel Strong, 26, of Detroit, charged with RICO conspiracy;

• Timothy Price, 26, of Detroit, charged with RICO conspiracy;

• Sadeisha Johns, 30, of West Bloomfield, charged with RICO conspiracy;

• Soumo Kennedy, 22, of Detroit, charged with RICO conspiracy, carjacking and using a firearm during a crime of violence;

• Brandon Kennedy, 22, of Detroit, charged with RICO conspiracy;

• Charles Anthony Smith, 31, of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, charged with RICO conspiracy;

• Jermell Julius Coleman, 35, of Detroit, charged with RICO conspiracy; assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and using a firearm during a crime of violence;

• William Steele, 34, of Charlotte, North Carolina, charged with RICO conspiracy.

"The Detroit One partners are systematically dismantling the most violent street gangs in Detroit," McQuade said. "Our effort is relentless. We believe that by removing the gang members who are committing violent crime, we can provide our neighborhoods with the public safety we should all expect and deserve."

"These individuals had no regard for the welfare of others," said ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge S. Robin Shoemaker. Their brazen display of violence carried out with assaults, robberies, carjacking, the unlawful possession and trafficking of firearms and narcotics in and around the Detroit metropolitan area is over. ATF, working closely with DPD, MSP, MDOC in our CVRP initiative, will see to it that these dangerous individuals and those who will take their place are removed from our streets. No longer will they threaten the safety of our citizens."

"As promised the Detroit One partners continue to disrupt and bring to an end the atrocities committed against our citizens by such a violent gang," said Chief James Craig. "The efficacy of this program is rooted in the belief that our citizens and neighborhoods deserve to be free of such heinous acts."

"Today's announcement of the indictments and arrests of these twelve individuals demonstrates the continuing commitment of Detroit area Law Enforcement, as a united front, to substantially chip away at the ability of violent gangs to operate in our community," said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, FBI - Detroit Division. "The collective strength of the agencies involved in the Detroit One Program represents a formidable deterrent to violent gangs and criminal enterprises, and continues to result in the improvement in the quality of life in Detroit."

By working collaboratively, local, state and federal law enforcement is striving to maximize its ability to identify and arrest the persons and groups initiating the violence in Detroit. This indictment is the latest in a string of charges from the United States Attorney’s Office and Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office during the last two years involving violent street gangs in the city of Detroit, including:

• Nine members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

• Thirteen members of the Latin Counts street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

• Fourteen members of the Phantom Outlaw Motorcycle Club / Vice Lords street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

• Four members of the Vice Lords in state court for armed robbery and a Vice Lord leader charged under the federal street gang statute for his role in that armed robbery;

• Three members of the Band Crew street gang charged under the Michigan gang felony statute for violent acts in furtherance of their gang activities and eight members of the Band crew for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering;

• Ten members of the Related Through Money street gang for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering; and

• Eight members of the Traveling Vice Lords for federal racketeering conspiracy and other violent acts in furtherance of racketeering.

These charges are just some of the tangible and significant results of this joint effort. Most significantly, Detroit has seen a reduction in homicides every year since the Detroit One collaboration began in 2013, and a 24 percent total reduction since 2012.

Seven of the twelve defendants were arrested today and will be making their initial appearance in federal court in Detroit this afternoon.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed not guilty unless convicted at trial by a jury.