Grand Jury Indicts Six Alleged “Dump Squad” Gang Members

Indictment Builds on Charges Against 11 Dump Squad Members in March 2009

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Six alleged members of the “Dump Squad” street gang have been indicted on a total of 29 charges, including multiple murders, attempted murders, robberies, assaults, arson, narcotics distribution, and weapons violations. A federal grand jury indicted the individuals on June 16, 2010, and the indictment was unsealed this morning.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Alex J. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Norfolk Division; James D. Fox, Chief of Newport News Police; and Howard E. Gwynn, Newport News Commonwealth Attorney, made the announcement after the defendants were placed in custody and the indictment became public. If convicted, the defendants face a penalty of 20 years and up to life in prison, depending on the criminal activity. The murder charge is potentially death eligible.

“This is the second phase in the ongoing effort to aggressively pursue members of the Dump Squad,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “We saw crime drop by 44 percent in 2009 when we took 11 violent gangsters off the streets. We continue to work with the FBI, Newport News law enforcement and others to lock up gang members who are terrorizing our communities.”

“This indictment reflects the continued commitment of the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, and Newport News Police Department to thoroughly eliminate the criminal threat posed by members of the Dump Squad,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Turner. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue this effort until this violent criminal enterprise has been fully dismantled."

“The Newport News Police Department is committed to making our community safe and will continue to work with federal, state, and local agencies to make it happen,” said Chief James Fox. “Clearing our streets of gang activity is a priority of our department and these indictments should send the message to the gang members that we are not finished and are still coming after you.”

“I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its tireless efforts to help us make Newport News a safer place,” said Newport News Commonwealth Attorney Gwynn. “This case is yet another example of the effectiveness of the strong partnership between our two offices, as well as other state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies.”

According to the indictment, the six men were members of the “Dump Squad,” a criminal organization that operates in the Ridley Circle, Harbor Homes, and Dickerson Court areas of Newport News, Va. The defendants established the power and prestige of the gang through violence, including the murders of Rashed Caudle on Aug. 9, 2003 and Lorenzo Thomas on Sept. 12, 2005.

The indictment also alleges the gang members attempted to murder at least three individuals and robbed others at gunpoint. The defendants are charged with financially supporting the enterprise by trafficking illegal drugs, including crack cocaine and marijuana.

In addition, the indictment connects defendants to some alleged acts in a March 2009 indictment of 11 Dump Squad gang members, all of whom pled guilty. These acts include the conspiracy to murder Tony Vaughan on Dec. 24, 2007, and the attempt to burn and set fire to the Newport News Police Department’s High Impact Patrol Station located in the Harbor Homes apartment complex in Newport News, Va.

All residents of Newport News, Va., the defendants charged in the indictment are the following:

• Perry Cousins, a/k/a “Pzo,” 25
• Darryl Vaughn, a/k/a “T-Tot” and “Toni Roni,” 22
• Kevin Vaughn, a/k/a “Hawk,” 23
• Jayson Bryan, a/k/a “J-Money,” 20
• Monquay Williams, a/k/a “Quay,” 20
• Haywood Lockhart, 22

This case was investigated by the Safe Streets Peninsula Task Force operating out of the FBI’s Newport News Resident Agency, with assistance from the Newport News Police Department and the Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Howard Zlotnick and Robert Bradenham, II and Special Assistant United States Attorney Valerie Muth from the Newport News Commonwealth Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.