Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

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LOS ANGELES – A Rollin 30’s Harlem Crip gang member who was arrested in 2008 as part of a large Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation dubbed “Operation Criptonite” was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycotin by United States Federal District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez.

Shaunta Taylor, 39, who also received 36 months of supervised release, was a previously convicted felon in Calif., and also a member of the Rollin 30’s Harlem Crip criminal street gang which claims territory in parts of south central Los Angeles.

“This 20 year sentence will serve as a reminder to gang members that engaged in acts that promote violence in the communities, that they will not be tolerated”, said John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division. “This was a great investigation by all involved and capped off by a sentence that shows that crime does not pay. We will not see this character for a long time.”

“Today’s lengthy sentence sends a strong message to gang members everywhere that dealing in federally prescribed narcotics will be met with severe sanctions and will result in serious prison sentences,” said United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr.

This investigation was part of a larger two year ATF, DEA, Los Angeles Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections–Special Services Unit, that targeted the Rollin 30’s gang. Approximately 65 gang members were arrested and prosecuted for firearms and narcotics related charges. The Rollin 30’s have been known to engage in narcotics trafficking, home invasion robberies and firearms trafficking.