Minneapolis drug trafficking gangs: 24 people face federal charges

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Federal prosecutors announced charges against 24 alleged members of Minneapolis drug trafficking gangs, saying the organizations operated open-air drug markets, distributed fentanyl and fueled violent crime across the city. 

Charges: Drug gangs operating in Minneapolis

The backstory:

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said two federal indictments charge alleged members of the Family Mob, Bogus Boys, and G Block gangs with drug trafficking crimes. A superseding indictment against Family Mob adds nine defendants, as well as new drug trafficking and murder charges, while a separate indictment charges 11 alleged members and associates part of the G Block and Bogus Boys gangs, also known as the Amani Drug Trafficking organization, with drug conspiracy offenses. 

Prosecutors allege the organizations operated open-air drug markets along Lake Street and Park Avenue South and near 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue South, trafficking large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine and cocaine throughout south Minneapolis. 

The following 13 people have been charged in the Family Mob superseding indictment:

• Kiron Jamoll Williams, 44, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Silk Lamond Davis, 48, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Lakendrick Darnell Gilliam, 38, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Rashshon Jamahl Taggett, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl.
• Trevon Harris, 28, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and murder during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
• Maricus Antonio Leroy Moore, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
• Larnell Douglas Wren, 51, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
• Emmett Duane Williams, 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
• DeAngelo Martez Davenport, 50, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and with murder during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
• Richard Payton III, 52, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
• Garyegus Lealexandra Cooper, 47, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
• Mortez Crumble, 34, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and on a separate count with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Eddie Dersaill Brown, 34, 34, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

The  following 11 people have been charged in the Amani Hudson drug trafficking organization indictment:

• Amani Xavier Hudson Sr., 35, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Kelley Christine Hudson, 24, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Jerry Wayne Jones, 70, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Fronta Lontrell Miller, 50, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Tanell Kinte Prempeh, 32, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Ryan Andrew Boston, 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Hezekiah Micah Fields, 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Tawaun Lewis Sr., 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Darquel Markease Rockymore, 35, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Malcolm Dashuan Peoples, 33, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Daren Leemont Rutledge, 53, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Authorities said 12 people were arrested Tuesday, while several others already in state custody are expected to be transferred to federal custody. The FBI is still looking for 50-year-old Fronta Lontrell Miller, who is wanted on conspiracy charges. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI. 

Federal investigation into drug trafficking 

Dig deeper:

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson said the investigation was part of the FBI's nationwide Operation Summer Heat, an initiative targeting violent crime and drug trafficking organizations. He said investigators focused on alleged members and associates of the two organizations who prosecutors say controlled drug markets through violence and intimidation.

"As charged, [the defendants] sought to control and monopolize markets by force, violence and fear," explained Dotson. "The amount of fentanyl allegedly distributed by the defendants in these literal open air drug markets is enough to have killed thousands, and the violence allegedly used to control these drug trafficking enterprises was equally horrendous."

DEA Special Agent Rafael Mattei added that over the course of the investigation, the organizations allegedly distributed at least 333,000 doses of fentanyl, contributing to escalating violence in the city.

What they're saying:

"If you're trafficking in fentanyl, we are going to get you, we are going to find you, and we are going to take you down," Rosen said.

Rosen acknowledged the arrests will not eliminate fentanyl trafficking in Minnesota but said they represent a significant impact on the two organizations operating in south Minneapolis.

Rosen was joined by FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent Dotson, DEA Assistant Special Agent Mattei, Minneapolis Police Department Interim Chief Bill Peterson, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt during Tuesday's press conference. 

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