Ivy Street Gang Member Sentenced to Life for Participating in Two Murders

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Alfonso Sheppard, 32, of Newport News, Virginia was sentenced today to a life in prison, plus 10 years, for his participation in two drug robberies that resulted in the murder of John Henry Green on January 18, 2007 and the murder of Demareo Dontae Hardy on March 20, 2009.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; John Boles, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Division; James D. Fox, Chief of Newport News Police; Charles Jordan, Chief of Hampton Police; and other state and local representatives made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Sheppard pled guilty to the charges on January 3, 2012.

Sheppard was indicted on March 8, 2011 along with seven other alleged members of Ivy Street Gangstas (ISG) operating in the area around the intersection of 9th Street and Ivy Avenue in Newport News, Virginia and the area of Brittany and Sweetbriar Apartments in Hampton, Virginia. Members and associates of ISG included members of the Bloods and Crips, which are national gangs. According to the indictment, members of ISG were accused of coordinating with one another to commit robberies, narcotics distribution, and acts of fraud in an effort to obtain money and property to benefit the gang.

Sheppard admitted his involvement in the homicide of John Henry Green. Sheppard and two co-defendant’s asked Green for marijuana and picked him up outside a Speedy Mart in the city of Newport News. Sheppard was driving the van. Upon entering the van, the victim was pistol whipped with a handgun by co-defendant Bobby Mangrum. Andra Green, armed with a shotgun, and Mangrum then attempted to rob the victim. After failing to find money or drugs, an argument ensued and the victim was ordered out of the van. As he was exiting the van, Andra Green aimed the shotgun at the back of the victim’s head and shot him. John Henry Green fell to the shoulder of the road and died of his injuries.

Sheppard also admitted his involvement in the homicide of Demareo Dontae Hardy in the area of the Brookridge Apartment complex. Andra Green was driving co-defendant Zakarie Williams’ Chevrolet Suburban through the apartment complex when he noticed the victim walking on the sidewalk. Sheppard told Green to stop the vehicle and got out. Sheppard approached the victim. Two co-conspirators pushed him to the ground where the victim was stomped and kicked. Sheppard shot the victim multiple times and got back in the vehicle, leaving the victim without any clothes on to die on the street.

Andra G. Green, 25, of Hampton, Virginia, pleaded guilty in October 2011 to the murder of John Henry Green and to participating in the murder of Demareo Dontae Hardy. Green received two life sentences in January 2012.

The following co-defendants also pled guilty and have been sentenced for their involvement in the crimes charged in the indictment:

■Zakarie X. Williams, 37, of Hampton, Virginia, pleaded guilty in March 2011 to robbery and discharge and use of a firearm and was sentenced in July to a total of 360 months in prison.

■Kyheim D. Tucker, 23, of Newport News, Virginia, pleaded guilty in March 2011 to robbery and discharge and use of a firearm and was sentenced in July to a total of 216 months in prison.

■Bobby Kahill Mangrum, 21, of Newport News, Virginia pleaded guilty in July 2011 to robbery and discharge, use, and possession of a firearm in July and was sentenced in September to 360 months in prison.

■Raymond E. Brown, 22, of Newport News, Virginia, pleaded guilty in October 2011 to robbery and discharge of a firearm and was sentenced in January 2012 to a total of 320 months in prison.

■Ray M. Fearrington, 23, of Newport News, Virginia, pleaded guilty in November 2011 to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and discharge of a firearm and was sentenced in March 2012 to 156 months.

The remaining defendant, Joseph L. Williams, 34, of Newport News, Virginia, pled guilty to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

This case was investigated by FBI and Newport News Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa R. McKeel, Eric Hurt, and Howard J. Zlotnick are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Two Members of Drug Organization Plead Guilty

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Robert Edward Sargent, Jr., 42, and Kenny Jones, 31, both of Newport News, pled guilty today to their participation in a complex drug trafficking network operating between New York, California, and the Peninsula. Sargent pled guilty to participating in a criminal enterprise responsible for distributing between 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine. Jones pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy to distribute narcotics.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after their pleas were accepted by United States District Judge Mark S. Davis.

Sargent and Jones were charged, along with 27 co-defendants, in a superseding indictment returned on January 10, 2012. According to court documents, Sargent ran a drug organization, located in the Aquaduct Apartments and Woodlawn Apartments in the Denbigh area of Newport News, responsible for dealing cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana. Sources of supply in New York, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas distributed quantities of drugs to Sargent for further distribution on the Virginia Peninsula. Beginning in 2000, Sargent was bringing in multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from New York for redistribution. The drug proceeds were then transported back to New York. At some point in 2009-2010, Sargent began receiving shipments of drugs from California and then having the bulk currency payments hand delivered back to California. He employed a large network of couriers and distributors to make his organization successful. During the course of the conspiracy, Sargent had approximately $250,000 seized by law enforcement or stolen by co-conspirators yet he continued his operation. Jones was involved with re-distributing cocaine during the operation of the conspiracy.

Sargent faces a maximum sentence of life when he is sentenced on July 25, 2012. Jones also faces a maximum sentence of life when he is sentenced on June 28, 2012.

The following were also charged with crimes in the superseding indictment:

■Edwin Petty, a/k/a “Greasy,” 34, of Newport News, Virginia

■Kevin Forde, 37, of Newport News, Virginia

■John Banks, 43, of Newport News, Virginia

■Lamar Douglas, 28, of Newport News, Virginia

■Brandon Douglas, 27, of Newport News, Virginia

■Randy Fuller, 30, of Newport News, Virginia

■Rayon Fuller, 30, of Newport News, Virginia

■Douglas Ashby, 25, of Newport News, Virginia

■Maurice McLain, 28, of Newport News, Virginia

■Sean Rainey, 36, of Newport News, Virginia

■Wayne Turner, 29, of Newport News, Virginia

■Brian Jarvis, 31, of Newport News, Virginia

■Antoinette Ashby, 32, of Newport News, Virginia

■Ashley Burnett, Jr., 30, of Newport News, Virginia

■Mustaffah Muhammad, 24, of Newport News, Virginia

■Dennis McCourtney Hodge, 34, of Brentwood, New York

■Raymond Dayrell Brown, 34, of Charlotte, Virginia

■Dwayne Ivalle Hodge, 42, of Brentwood, New York

■Jermaine Antoine Edlow, 39, of Newport News, Virginia

■Larry Neal Williams, 46, of Newport News, Virginia

■James Edward Brown, 51, of Newport News, Virginia

■Alano Christobo Blanco, 45, of Newport News, Virginia

■David Kenneth Edlow, 55, of Newport News, Virginia

■Rosaura Sarita Arias, 59, of Newport News, Virginia

■Rosa Del Carmen Diarte, 52, of Lacy, Washington

■Alexander Sanchez, 22, of Nuevo, California

■Jaime Sanchez, 30, of Nueva, California

In addition to Sargent and Jones, 10 other co-defendants have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. A jury trial for the remaining defendants is set for April 30, 2012 in Newport News Federal Court.

This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS), Newport News Police Department, and Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Hurt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Newport News Man Convicted of Murdering Hardee’s Employee

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Anthony Lee Wainwright, 26, of Newport News, Va., was convicted by a federal jury of murdering an employee of a Newport News Hardee’s restaurant during an armed robbery. Two conspirators – Henry Lee Stapleton, 24, and Michael Johnson Jr., 23, — previously pled guilty to their roles in the robbery and fatal shooting.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Rich Marianos, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and James D. Fox, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after the jury returned the verdict before United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith.

“Anthony Wainwright brutally murdered a hard–working employee of Hardees Restaurant, whose life centered around her love of both her job and her church. That Wainwright killed Diane Green because she recognized Wainwright from her beloved church makes this killing even more loathsome,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “No prosecution can take back the events of that day, but we hope today’s conviction will provide some measure of closure for Ms. Green’s family.”

“Thanks to the hard work of the dedicated ATF agents and Newport News detectives, those responsible for this murder were brought to justice,” said ATF Acting SAC Marianos. “We too hope that this verdict brings some closure to the Green family. It’s never easy to lose a loved one this way.”

“This incident shocked the community to its roots and this outcome is another positive example of the partnership, teamwork and commitment of our community, local and federal law enforcement, the Commonwealth’s Attorneys Office and the US Attorney’s Office to fight for justice,” said Chief Fox of the Newport News Police Department.

According to the evidence introduced at trial, on Sept. 8, 2007, Wainwright and Stapleton entered a Hardee’s restaurant with firearms intending to commit a robbery. After robbing the employees of money in the cash registers, Wainwright’s do–rag slipped down and revealed his face. Worried he could be identified because he knew the victim from church, Wainwright shot Diane Green one time in the back of the head killing her. Wainwright also injured a second employee who fled from the restaurant. Wainwright and Stapleton fled on foot and were later picked up by Johnson from a location near the Hardee’s restaurant. The three returned to a room at the American Tudor Inn, where they divided up approximately $150 stolen in the robbery.

Today, after five days of testimony from 25 witnesses and the admission of 70 exhibits, a jury found Wainwright guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery, weapons violations, murder with a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and killing of a witness to prevent communication to law enforcement. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when he is sentenced on July 22, 2011.

Stapleton pled guilty on Jan. 11, 2011, to interference with commerce by robbery, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and murder with a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and will be sentenced on May 12, 2011. Johnson pled guilty on April 12, 2011, to conspiracy to obstruct, delay and affect commerce by robbery, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, murder with a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and retaliating against a witness. Johnson also pled guilty to a separate indictment charging him with a robbery of the Miller Mart that took place in June, 2006. He will be sentenced on all convictions on July 21, 2011.

This case was investigated by the Newport News Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney’s Howard Zlotnick, Lisa McKeel and Brian J. Samuels, prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.

Eight Alleged Members of Ivy Street Gangstas Indicted for Murder, Robbery, Drug Trafficking

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Eight alleged members of the Ivy Street Gangstas (ISG) street gang have been indicted by a federal grand jury for running a criminal organization that engaged in acts of violence, including murders, robberies, narcotics distribution, and weapons violations.

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; Charles Jordan, Chief of Hampton Police, and other state and local representatives made the announcement after the indictment was made public today.

According to the 36-count indictment returned on March 11, 2011, the ISG gang operated in the area around the intersection of

9th Street

and

Ivy Avenue

in Newport News Virginia and the area of Brittany and Sweetbriar Apartments in Hampton, Va. Members and associates of ISG included members of the Bloods and Crips, which are national gangs. The eight men are accused of coordinating with one another to obtain money and property through robberies, narcotics distribution and acts of bank and credit card fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft. The proceeds of such criminal activities were allegedly used for the benefit of all gang members.

The alleged gang members are accused in the indictment of protecting their criminal activities through the use of intimidation, violence, and threats of violence—including the murders of John Henry Green on Jan. 18, 2007 and Demareo Dontae Hardy on March 20, 2009.

Those charged in the indictment are the following:

Andra G. Green, a/k/a "Andra Gabriel Green, Jr., Giz, Gizzle, A. Gizzle, and A. J.," 24, of Hampton, Va.

Zakarie X. Williams, a/k/a "Carie, Karie," 37, of Hampton, Va.

Joseph L. Williams, a/k/a "Joe Pro," 34, of Newport News, Va.

Kyheim D. Tucker, a/k/a "Paso," 23, of Newport News, Va.

Ray M. Fearrington, a/k/a "Ray Ray," 23, of Newport News, Va.

Alfonso D. Sheppard, a/k/a "Prime," 31, of Newport News, Va.

Bobby Kahill Mangrum, 21, of Newport News, Va.

Raymond E. Brown, a/k/a "Bae Bae, Goon, Goonie," 22, of Newport News, Va.

Green, Sheppard, Brown, and Mangrum were charged with murder with a firearm which is a death eligible offense, subject to a decision by the U.S. Attorney General.

A federal grand jury first indicted Green and Williams in March 2010, on bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, along with seven other individuals who have previously pled guilty and were alleged to be members or associates of the ISG street gang. This superseding indictment adds three alleged gang members, robbery and firearm charges, as well as two counts of murder with a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

This case was investigated by FBI and Newport News Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa R. McKeel, Eric Hurt, and Howard J. Zlotnick 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.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.

Gang Member Sentenced for Participation in Conspiracy

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Monquay Williams, 21, of Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 300 months in prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injuries, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Monquay Williams pled guilty on October 21, 2010.

According to a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, between 2001 and 2009, Williams was a member of the “Dump Squad” street gang, a criminal organization that operated primarily in the

Ridley Circle

, Harbor Homes, and

Dickerson Court

areas of Newport News. Members engaged in drug distribution and violence, including murder, attempted murder, and robbery. They often carried firearms to intimidate others and protect themselves from rival gangs. On Dec. 24, 2007, Williams and other gang members were involved in a fight inside the Atmosphere Club. Management at the night club made all of the patrons leave the building. In the parking lot outside, a fight ensued and several members of the gang began to beat Tony Vaughan. Martin Manley was the primary assailant who completed the beating by shooting and murdering Tony Vaughan. Williams was also involved in a separate incident where he brandished a firearm during an attempted robbery of a drug trafficker.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Newport News Police Department, the Hampton Police Department, and Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Howard Zlotnick and Robert Bradenham II prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.