Department of Justice

DETROIT – A member of the violent eastside Detroit street gang, Smokecamp, a/k/a Original Paid Bosses (or OPB), was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon, bringing the total number to 13 members of this gang having been convicted and sentenced, Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin announced.

Joining in the announcement were Keith Krolczyk, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chief James White, Detroit Police Department, Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division and Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin, US Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division.

Sentenced was Tyree Williams, 27.

“These convictions and sentences demonstrate that by working together, federal, state and local law enforcement are systematically dismantling the street gangs that cause violent crime in our neighborhoods,” said Acting US Attorney Mohsin. “Detroit residents deserve to live in a community safe from violent crime.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge Krolczyk stated, “ATF’s highest priority is to remove violent criminals from our streets. Our long-standing partnerships in the law enforcement community continues to expand these efforts to disrupt and dismantle violent gangs and criminal organizations.”

According to court records, the gang operated on the east side of Detroit, specifically the area in and around Albion Street and Seven Mile, an area Smokecamp/OPB members refer to as “ABlock.” This area is within a larger territory on Detroit’s east side claimed by the Bloods street gang known as the “Red Zone.” The gang has modified its name multiple times throughout the years going from “Runyon Boys” to “Original Paid Bosses” to “Paid Bosses Inc.” to “Smokecamp.”

In November 2017, an indictment was returned which alleged that Smokecamp members were known to engage in robberies and extortion and that the gang made its money predominantly through the sale of narcotics, including cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, and other prescription pills. According to the indictment, the gang regularly sold these controlled substances on the “ABlock,” outside of vacant houses known as “trap houses,” and businesses in the area of Seven Mile and Albion. Additionally, between approximately 2014 – 2015, Smokecamp/OPB members regularly sold controlled substances from an apartment complex on East Seven Mile, which they branded the “Plaga,” sharing workers and firearms to distribute and protect their narcotics. However, this activity was not confined only to Detroit with some of their members traveling to Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio to sell their narcotics. The gang regularly engaged in acts of violence, including shootings and murder, in order to intimidate rival gangs and maintain control of their territory.

Through the lead efforts of the ATF and Detroit Police Department Gang Intelligence Unit, along with the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Michigan Department of Corrections, investigators were able to identify the members of this particular gang while investigating a similar gang on Detroit’s westside and piece together the varied criminal misconduct of the Smokecamp/OPB organization.

The following individuals have been convicted for their role in the gang and have received sentences ranging from 66 months to 384 months in federal prison:

• Korey Sanders, a/k/a “No Loan Corleon,” “Stax,” 29, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy, willful engagement in firearms business without a license and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; sentenced to 72 months in federal prison;
• Jerray Key, a/k/a “Chino,” “Dre,” 31, of Canton, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm; sentenced to 72 months in federal prison’
• Deshawn Langston, a/k/a “Pook,” “Slips,” 30, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, sentenced to 240 months in federal prison;
• Richard Langston, a/k/a “Dub,” “Rich,” “Blow,” 31, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy, sentenced to 170 months in federal prison;
• Hakeem Bunnell, a/k/a “LB Dub,” 27, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy, and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, sentenced to 348 months in federal prison;
• Keenan Nielbock, a/k/a “Dolla,” “Keno” 33, of Taylor, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy, sentenced to 84 months in federal prison;
• Caraun Key, a/k/a “Luch,” “Ron,” “Slick,” 29, of Detroit with RICO conspiracy, sentenced to 72 months in federal prison;
• Darryl Key, a/k/a “DB,” “Big Baby,” 30, of Detroit, with RICO conspiracy, sentenced to 66 months in federal prison;
• Tyree Williams, a/k/a “Snoop,” 27, of Detroit, Pleaded guilty to charges of RICO conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon; sentenced to 210 months in federal prison;
• Romale Gibson Jr., a/k/a “Santana,” 27, of Detroit, with RICO conspiracy, sentenced to 72 months in federal prison;
• Cary Dailey, a/k/a “Cease,” 31, of Detroit, with RICO conspiracy, sentenced to 72 months in federal prison;
• Antonio Langston, a/k/a “Tone,” 32, of Detroit, with RICO conspiracy, sentenced to 96 months in federal prison;
• Carlos Davis, a/k/a “Los,” “Loso,” 28, of Detroit with RICO conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, sentenced to 180 months in federal prison.

Acting US Attorney Mohsin commended the hard work and dedication of all law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of this case as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome Gorgon, Andrew Yahkind and Blake Hatlem who prosecuted this case.