Alleged United Blood Nation Gang Members Indicted on Racketeering Charges

CHARLOTTE, NC—Twenty-seven alleged members of the United Blood Nation gang were arrested on Friday, May 18, 2012 and charged with racketeering and related charges. The 35-count indictment was unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Charlotte.

Today’s announcement is made by Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina; and Chris Briese, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division.

According to the indictment, which was returned by a grand jury on May 16, 2012, the defendants conspired to participate in a racketeering enterprise; that is, the United Blood Nation (“UBN” or “Bloods”) and several factions of the UBN. The indictment alleges that from 2007 to May 2012, in the Western District of North Carolina and elsewhere, the defendants conspired to operate as a gang. In doing so, the indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in criminal activities, including racketeering conspiracy, murder conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, armed robbery, and firearms related crimes.

Charged in the indictment are:

■ James Anderson, a/k/a “Stank,” 28, currently incarcerated;

■Alan Boyd Donta Barnett, a/k/a “Big Al,” 37, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Eric Eugene Brice, a/k/a “Bug,” 40, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Travis Lamar Brice, a/k/a “Trap,” 28, currently incarcerated;

■Quinton Lavar Brown, a/k/a “QP” or “QB,” 20, currently incarcerated;

■Rafas Gene Camp, a/k/a “Tick,” 32, of Shelby, North Carolina;

■Joston Jamal Clemmer, a/k/a “Ace,” 21, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Kemmey Nicole Cooke, a/k/a “ Gangsta Wu,” 29, of Chesapeake, Virginia;

■Jaimel Kenzie Davison, a/k/a “I-Shine,” 28, currently incarcerated;

■Wesley Tyler Floyd, a/k/a “West Coast,” 26, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Davon Yakeen Futrell, a/k/a “Smooth,” 24, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Tristan Daquane Goode, a/k/a “Buck,” 20, of Ranlo, North Carolina;

■Nathaniel Graham, a/k/a “Nasty,” 23, currently incarcerated;

■Joseph Dranell Gray, a/k/a “Killa,” 38, currently incarcerated;

■Dominque O’Neill Jackson, a/k/a “DJ,” 23, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Jimmy Lionell, Jones, a/k/a “Buddhist” or “Buddha,” 37, currently incarcerated;

■William Amir Knox, a/k/a “Poo Nuk,” 28, currently incarcerated;

■Kentrell Tyrone McIntyre, a/k/a “Mustafa,” 32, currently incarcerated;

■William Lewis Dontars Meeks, a/k/a “Willie” or “Rock,” 34, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Kevin Jerome Morris, a/k/a “Kato,” 34, of Shelby, North Carolina;

■Franklin Robbs, a/k/a “Frankie Boo,” 41, currently incarcerated;

■Maurice Terrell Robinson, a/k/a “Hell Rell,” 22, of Lincolton, North Carolina;

■Andrew Eugene Stowe, a/k/a “Coco,” 36, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Marquise Deshawn Watson, a/k/a “ Rambo,” 20, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Melinda Charmane Watson, 36, of Gastonia, North Carolina;

■Daryl Wilkinson, a/k/a “OG Powerful,” 47, currently incarcerated;

■Samatha Williams, a/k/a “Samantha Wilkinson” or “Lady Sam,” 43, of Bronx, New York;

■Perry Gorontent Williams, a/k/a “P-Flame” or “Flame,” 26, currentlyincarcerated.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, as part of the conspiracy, the defendants engaged in drug trafficking and used the proceeds of their drug crimes to help finance the gang’s criminal activities. In addition to drug trafficking, the indictment alleges that the defendants committed armed robberies and armed home invasions in order to generate proceeds to support the enterprise. The indictment also alleges that as part of the conspiracy, the defendants committed acts of violence against rival gang members. Allegations contained in the indictment also state that the defendants concealed their criminal activities and obstructed justice, including threatening potential witnesses. The indictment further alleges that the defendants maintained and circulated a collection of firearms for the use in criminal activity by UBN members.

The indictment alleges that the defendants and other UBN gang members in North Carolina and elsewhere identified gang members belonging to other UBN or Bloods factions by their gang names and phone numbers, including telephone area codes. For example, the indictment alleges, area code “704” represented gang factions within Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties. The indictment also alleges that gang members identified other gang members who were incarcerated by their street gang names and by their inmate identification numbers, in lieu of their telephone numbers. The members incarcerated were referred to as “behind the G wall,” the indictment alleges.

According to the indictment, as gang members of the UBN enterprise, the defendants met regularly with other UBN members. The indictment alleges that during those meetings, gang members talked about past acts of violence and other crimes against rival gang members, about UBN gang members who had been arrested or incarcerated, about police interactions with gang members, and discussed internal disciplinary action of other UBN members. The indictment further alleges that during these meetings, gang members also shared identities of individuals whom they suspected to be cooperating with law enforcement and discussed the types of action that ought to be taken against those individuals. The indictment further alleges that during these meetings, UBN members also planned and agreed to carry out future crimes, including murder, robbery, and drug trafficking.

“Street gangs spread violence in our cities and fear in our neighborhoods. Gang members engage in a range of illegal activities, from drug trafficking to armed robbery to conspiracy to commit murders. Through coordinated enforcement actions, we will pursue relentlessly dangerous gangs and dismantle their illegal activities that bring violent crimes to our streets and erode the stability of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Tompkins.

“The FBI is committed to dismantling the gangs that threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods. This two-year investigation is an outstanding example of what federal, state, and local law enforcement can accomplish when we attack the gangs that operate in our communities,” said FBI’s Special Agent in Charge Chris Briese.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the FBI in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department; the Gastonia Police Department; the Gaston County Police Department; the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office; the Shelby Police Department; and North Carolina Department of Probation and Parole.

The prosecution is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose and Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

North Carolina Department of Corrections Probation Officer Indicted for Civil Rights Violations

WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice announced that North Carolina Department of Correction’s Division of Community Corrections Probation Officer Willie James Steele, Jr., 47, was indicted yesterday on civil rights charges for violating the constitutional rights of a female probationer that he was supervising by coercing her into sexual acts on two separate occasions. Steele was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to the indictment filed in the Western District of North Carolina, the Division of Community Corrections supervised offenders serving state probation in the state of North Carolina and provided courtesy supervision for offenders residing in this state but who had committed criminal offenses in other states. Steele supervised the victim, who had had her probation transferred from another state, and had the authority to recommend to a court or other agency that the victim be incarcerated or otherwise sanctioned if she violated the conditions of her probation.

The indictment alleges that Steele engaged in acts that resulted in bodily injury to the victim and constituted aggravated sexual abuse and that Steele used and carried a firearm during and in relation to that offense. It also alleges that Steele deprived the victim of her constitutional right to bodily integrity on a second occasion.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenny Smith from the Western District of North Carolina and U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Shan Patel.

Individuals who have additional information or believe they may have been a victim of Steele’s conduct are encouraged to call the FBI Charlotte Office at 704-672-6100.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Enfield Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

RALEIGH—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court yesterday, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced GALVIN JERRELL MITCHELL, 28, of Enfield, North Carolina, to 57 months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.

A federal grand jury returned a superseding criminal indictment on August 10, 2011. At his arraignment on January 20, 2012, MITCHELL, also known as G-Baby, pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

According to the investigation, MITCHELL was identified as a “broker” and “drug runner” for illegal drug trafficking in the Enfield, North Carolina, area. From December, 2008, to September, 2009, it was learned that MITCHELL was responsible for distributing 3,928 grams of powder cocaine and 795 grams of crack cocaine.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Perry was the assigned prosecutor. Mr. Perry is a prosecutor with the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Clark Everett has assigned him to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters. This has been made possible by a grant funded by the Governor’s Crime Commission.

Former Craven County School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charge

RALEIGH—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today, Matthew Metcalf, 40, of New Bern, North Carolina, pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge William A. Webb to one count of producing child pornography over the Internet in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, §2251.

Separate investigations led both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to the same IP address, which belonged to Metcalf, a former fifth grade teacher in Craven County. The SBI’s lead was based on information sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which had learned that an individual using the Internet moniker “14yoVideoMaster” had uploaded images of apparent child pornography to YouTube. Investigators later identified “14YoVideoMaster” as Metcalf. Separately, the FBI had developed a lead to another state in which another individual had been identified as uploading child pornography to YouTube. Further investigation revealed that this individual was a child who Metcalf, posing as a 14-year-old boy named “Cody” and using the “14yoVideoMaster” ID, had repeatedly encouraged to create and upload videos depicting the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Based upon this information, the SBI and FBI obtained and executed a search warrant at Metcalf’s residence on April 28, 2011. At the time of that search, Metcalf admitted to using the “14yoVideoMaster” identity and to encouraging children to produce sexual images of themselves online. Metcalf further acknowledged having amassed a significant collection of child pornography unrelated to that he had sought to create.

United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker welcomed the news. “Those who take pleasure in the sexual exploitation and abuse of children have no place in our community, let alone in our school system. The safety of our children is our foremost responsibility.” Walker also praised the coordination between state and local law enforcement, two U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and the Craven County District Attorney’s Office, all of whom worked on the case. “Online predators can endanger children anywhere. They do not respect geographical boundary lines. We cannot effectively combat the danger they present without the consistent cooperation of every level of federal, state, and local law enforcement. This case is an example of coordination at its best.”

Metcalf’s sentencing is expected to be held before Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever, III during the week of July 23, 2012. Metcalf faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment.

This case is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Craven County District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Western District of Pennsylvania. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Exum handled the case for the government.

Former Detention Officer and Inmate Sentenced in North Carolina for Assault on Another Inmate

The Justice Department announced today that Senior U.S. District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced former Sergeant Danny Ray Duncan, of the Columbus County Detention Center in Whiteville, N.C., and inmate Terry McMillian on charges relating to the assault of another inmate.  Duncan, 63, received 20 months in prison followed by two years supervised release.  McMillian, 26, received 46 months in prison followed by three years supervised release.

 “These defendants were brought to justice for abusing their power and violating the rights of an inmate,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The department will continue to prosecute defendants that violate our nation’s civil rights laws.”

 U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Thomas G. Walker stated, “No one is above the law.  Those responsible for the beating of this inmate must face consequences for their criminal conduct.”

 During plea proceedings on Oct. 6, 2011, Duncan, while working on the night shift as a sergeant with the Columbus County Detention Center admitted that on Aug. 2, 2010, he placed a pretrial detainee into a cell knowing there was a substantial risk that the inmates in the cell would assault the detainee.  Duncan further admitted that he acted with deliberate indifference to the risk of assault, and that the detainee suffered bodily injury as a result of the assault.

 McMillian pleaded guilty on Dec. 5, 2011, for conspiring to commit an offense against the United States.  McMillan with another inmate brutally beat the detainee.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Ryan R. McKinstry from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted the case.