DETROIT (WWJ) - Six members of a violent Detroit street gang have been indicted on various federal charges. The crimes include multiple shootings, which resulted in fatalities and the shooting of a minor.
United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced that the members of the Purple Heart Vets gang were indicted by a federal grand jury on RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges, including racketeering conspiracy, trafficking controlled substances, firearm charges and unemployment insurance fraud.
RICO charges exist when an individual or individuals operate a criminal enterprise, tying together more than one crime and becoming an even larger offense.
Operating primarily on the northwest side of Detroit, the leaders rewarded gang members who engaged in acts of violence with Purple Hearts.
The four members from Detroit are named as 24-year-old Devin King, 23-year-old Trevon Mathis, 24-year-old Vincent McKinney and 24-year-old Malik Thomas. Twenty-four-year-old Jordan Gilmore of Novi and 25-year-old Devon Hill from Taylor were the other two members indicted.
“This indictment is another example of our office’s commitment to addressing violent crime in the City of Detroit. We believe that by removing the individuals who are the primary drivers of violent crime we can provide our neighborhoods with the peace we should all expect and deserve,” U.S. Attorney Ison said in a Press Release.
According to the indictment and other court records, the Purple Heart Vets gang allegedly promote themselves as soldiers in battle, engaging in violence on the streets of Detroit on behalf of the gang.
The above mentioned members obtained guns and coordinated attacks on their rivals. The attacks led to multiple shootings in and around Detroit, which resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.
In one instance, a minor was caught in the crossfire during an attack on a rival gang member.
The gang is also said to have sold controlled substances and engaged in significant unemployment insurance fraud to raise money to further their criminal activities.
“Serious crimes have serious consequences. Gang members using the streets of Detroit as a battlefield to settle scores can expect to be shut down by law enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Division, who joined Attornery Ison in the indictment unsealing announcement.
“It should be common knowledge throughout metro-Detroit: If you pack an illegal firearm, you should pack your bags for prison… Everyone deserves to live in a community without the threat of senseless gun violence."
Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, also joined Inson and Deir in the announcement.
Per the U.S. Department of Justice, the RICO Act of 1970 seeks to strengthen the legal tools in evidence gathering by establishing new penal prohibitions and providing enhanced sanctions and new remedies for dealing with the unlawful activities of those engaged in organized crime.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
Related
Related
