Violent crime is down in Minneapolis. That is according to top federal and local law enforcement leaders who on Wednesday announced more arrests in a crackdown against Minneapolis gangs.
United States Attorney for Minnesota Andrew Luger announced an additional 14 gang members have been charged in federal court. All 14 are in custody. These include what are described as “two high ranking” members of the Lows gang.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says the arrests represent their commitment to reducing the senseless crime that has plagued the community for too long.
“After three years of trauma and violence to too many of our residents, we are starting to turn a corner,” says Chief O’Hara. “To date, there have been 127 fewer families who have had a loved one affected by gun violence this year compared to last.”
Witt says building the cases against the 14 was tedious, time-consuming work.
“This type of police work takes patience, it takes resources and it takes skill,” says Witt. “Our intelligence analysts put in a tremendous effort to gather the necessary information to pursue these charges.”
Witt adds that homicides in the county are down 30% compared to 2021.
The charges are part of an overall effort to reduce gun violence in Minneapolis led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and focused on taking down gang crime in the city.
The others charged Wednesday include members of the Highs, Bloods and the 10z/20z gang. Crimes include firearms violations and fentanyl trafficking.
The effort is being coordinated by law enforcement across Federal and local jurisdictions. Luger was joined by local agents of the FBI, DEA, Marshall’s service and ATF, along with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, along with Witt and O’Hara.
O’Hara says that violent crime has dropped to near pre-pandemic levels despite their staff shortages. He, along with Luger, credit the partnership between law enforcement and the Attorney’s Office, which Luger says is working.
“This is historic for this state and for the work that we do,” says Luger. “Because we're all talking the same language. We collectively decided a year ago that gangs would be a focus of our violent crime strategy and it has happened like never before.”
In May the same group led by Luger announced 45 indictments against gang members using the RICO Act (The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations). That came about a year after Luger first announced the partnership, which came with a warning from Luger.
“You have a choice and now is the time to walk away,” Luger said about those who have gone unprosecuted for violent crime in Minnesota.
The announced charges today are not part of the RICO charges but are individual Federal charges. Luger said the goal was to get these gang members off the streets quickly and RICO charges take more time to build. Those charges could be added later.
The 14 charges:
Michael Marshawn Dalton, 29 – possession of a firearm as a felon
Marquez Demar Hill-Turnipseed, 21 – possession of a firearm as a felon, possession of a machine gun
Shannon Aaron Kapriece Jackson, 31 – possession of a firearm as a felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
Cartrell Ismail Smith, 27 – possession of a firearm as a felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
Kaprice Richards, 22 – possession of a firearm as a felon
Ohagi Charles Walker, 27 – possession of a firearm as a felon
Clenest Demon Wells Jr., 26 – possession of a firearm as a felon
Jermaine William Jackson Jr., 26 – possession of a firearm as a felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
Adrion Kelley, 19 – possession of a firearm as a felon
Joe Lee Rudolph-Meeks, 28 – possession of a firearm as a felon
James Edward Hollman Jr., 32 – possession of a firearm as a felon
Devon Lamont Holt, 33 – possession of a firearm as a felon
Marvin Miller Jr., 35 – possession of a firearm as a felon, possession of a machine gun
Dante Joseph Tyus, 29 – possession of a firearm as a felon
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