United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced
the sentencing of five individuals connected with the 10z/20z south Minneapolis
street gangs. ALKWAN KWAME LAWSON-HOLIDAY, 30, LE’KEITH ALI DU’JUAN RAYFORD,
28, KENNETH LAMONT THOMPSON, 34, MAURICE JERRY JOHNSON, 29, and LENARDO
ALEXZANDER WOODARD, 32, were convicted and sentenced for crimes related to
violent gang activity, including trafficking crack cocaine and illegal
possession of firearms. The sentencing proceedings were held before Judge Joan
N. Ericksen in United States District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald stated, “Violent
groups who use guns to carry out their drug trafficking operations bring death
and destruction to our communities. This type of criminal activity is
unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All five of these individuals have
faced justice and must account for the serious crimes they have committed.”
According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents
filed in court, the defendants maintained active membership in or association
with the 10z/20z south Minneapolis street gangs, with the purpose of making
money for the gang through criminal acts, including distribution of crack cocaine,
heroin, and marijuana. As part of their drug distribution schemes, members of
the gangs possessed, carried and used firearms in order to protect their drug
distribution network from rival gangs, and to protect drug distributors from
being robbed of narcotics or money.
According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents
filed in court, RAYFORD, THOMPSON, JOHNSON, and WOODARD were involved in a
conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes.
Their criminal activities included, among other things, multiple crack cocaine
and heroin sales, as well as repeated possession of illegal firearms.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by
the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of federal and local law
enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, the FBI, the Minneapolis
Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the St.
Paul Police Department. The Minnesota Department of Corrections also provided
assistance in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe
Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and
local law enforcement to combat violent crime. This case is also part of
Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce
gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez prosecuted the
case.
Defendant Information:
ALKWAN KWAME LAWSON-HOLIDAY, a/k/a “Lucky,” a/k/a “Kweezy,”
30
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Convicted:
Distributing a
controlled substance, 1 count
Sentenced:
57 months in
prison
Three years of
supervised release
LE’KEITH ALI DU’JUAN RAYFORD, a/k/a “Fatty,” 28
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
Conspiracy to
possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
Sentenced:
78 months in
prison
Three years of
supervised release
KENNETH LAMONT THOMPSON, a/k/a “Kenny OG,” a/k/a “KG,” 34
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
Conspiracy to
possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
Sentenced:
100 months in
prison
Three years of
supervised release
MAURICE JERRY JOHNSON, a/k/a “Reese,” a/k/a “Loco,” 29
Minneapolis, Minn.
Convicted:
Use of a firearm
during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
Sentenced:
60 months in
prison
Three years of
supervised release
LENARDO ALEXZANDER WOODARD, a/k/a “Naughty,” 32
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Convicted:
Conspiracy to
possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
Sentenced:
51 months in
prison
Three years of
supervised release
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