Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KEITH YOUNG, also known as “Capo,” “Bapo” and “Poncho,” 27, of Hamden. pleaded guilty yesterday before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to federal racketeering and money laundering offenses, and admitted that he participated in two murders in 2011.

This matter stems from an investigation into a criminal enterprise known as the Red Side Guerilla Brims (“RSGB”), a sect of the Bloods street gang that operated in New Haven from 2011 through 2015, which was engaged in narcotics trafficking and related acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults and armed robberies. In addition to distributing crack cocaine and other narcotics in and around New Haven, members and associates of the RSGB, transported crack and heroin to Bangor, Maine, and sold the drugs in Bangor and its surrounding communities. The RSGB also traded narcotics for firearms, brought the firearms back to New Haven and distributed them to gang members.

According to court documents and statements made in court, YOUNG was a member and leader of the RSGB. On June 24, 2011, YOUNG was present when a RSGB member shot and killed Donnell Allick in New Haven, and, on September 19, 2011, YOUNG was present when another RSGB member shot and killed Darrick Cooper in Hamden.

YOUNG also participated in the gang-related trafficking of crack cocaine in Maine, and the transferring drug proceeds from Maine to Connecticut by using Western Union.

“The Red Side Guerilla Brims wreaked havoc from New Haven to Bangor, Maine,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “RSGB members were not only responsible for multiple murders and non-fatal shootings locally, they trafficked drugs and firearms from one end of New England to the other. I thank our law enforcement partners who put this gang out of business, particularly the ATF, New Haven Police Department and Hamden Police Department, for their tireless dedication during this long-term and ongoing investigation. They are providing justice for the many victims of this brutal gang, and making New Haven a safer and better place to live.”

“ATF’s mission is to combat violent criminals and criminal organizations,” said Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division. “With today’s guilty plea, we have succeeded in taking a very violent gang member off the streets of our communities.”

“The outcome of this case is an example of what happens when agencies cooperate,” said Assistant Chief Achilles Generoso of the New Haven Police Department. “The collaboration between the NHPD, ATF, U.S. Attorney’s Office and State’s Attorney’s Office, once again resulted in dangerous people – involved in gun violence in New Haven and our neighboring communities – being taken off our streets.”

YOUNG pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity, which, because it involves the commission of murder, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

YOUNG has been detained since his arrest on September 30, 2015.

This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Hamden Police Department. The New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office also provided critical assistance in the investigation.

An instrumental component of the investigation has been the work of the Connecticut State Crime Laboratory in utilizing the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to analyze ballistics evidence.

This matter is being prosecuted in the District of Connecticut by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Spector, Peter Markle and Jocelyn Kaoutzanis. A related case in the District of Maine is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Casey.

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