Damari “Mari” Douglas, 21, of Elk River, pleaded guilty on July 17, 2026, before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz for his role in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy involving the violent street gang known as the Lows, according to a June 30 announcement from United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. Douglas is the second defendant among fourteen charged members of the Lows gang to plead guilty.
The Lows gang has operated primarily in north Minneapolis since approximately 2004 and is alleged to have engaged in crimes including murder, attempted murder, narcotics distribution, robbery, carjacking, and firearms trafficking. The group reportedly used intimidation tactics such as threats and armed retaliation to maintain control over its territory.
Court documents show that Douglas admitted multiple acts furthering the RICO conspiracy. On December 3, 2023, after leaving a party near West Lake Street and Grand Avenue South in Minneapolis with associates, Douglas fired his handgun at an SUV he believed posed a threat; one bullet struck and killed someone within his own group. He also arranged for a straw purchaser to buy at least nine firearms on his behalf between December 2023 and February 2024 while prohibited from possessing them due to a prior felony conviction. During an April 19 search warrant execution at his residence, law enforcement recovered a Glock pistol equipped with an automatic conversion device after observing him throw it out of his bedroom window.
Douglas faces up to life in prison under this charge; sentencing will be scheduled later.
“Damari Douglas committed serious acts of violence and firearms trafficking as part of the Lows gang’s criminal enterprise,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “Douglas contributed directly to the violence that has harmed families and communities in Minneapolis through arranging the illegal selling and purchasing of firearms, possessing a machine gun, and firing the shot that killed a victim. Today’s guilty plea reflects my office’s ongoing commitment to hold every member of this enterprise accountable and to take down the violent network that has operated in our city for years.”
Other law enforcement officials also commented on progress made against organized crime through coordinated investigations leading up to these pleas.
The case was investigated by several agencies including ATF, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), IRS Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), with assistance from U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant United States Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and David M. Classen for the District of Minnesota along with Trial Attorney Pegah Vakili are prosecuting this case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota enhances community safety through public safety initiatives across its headquarters and branch offices statewide; it operates under the Department of Justice using facilities at federal courthouses in Minneapolis and St. Paul; employs about 140 people including more than seventy attorneys; prosecutes federal crimes; handles civil litigation for government entities; protects community safety throughout Minnesota, according to its official website.