An alleged Tennessee gang enforcer was recently convicted of killing a witness to a murder he committed, racketeering and other offenses, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
Brandon Durell Hardison, aka "Creep" and aka "Creeper da Reeper," 35, of Nashville, faces a mandatory minimum of life in prison for murder in aid of racketeering. He also faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for racketeering conspiracy, causing death through the use of a firearm and killing a witness to prevent communication to law enforcement. Hardison also could be sentenced to 20 years of incarceration for assault causing serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering.
Hardison's conviction by a federal jury following a three-week trial over crimes alleged to have occurred in 2012 "marks the end of a decade of violence and lawlessness inflicted upon our communities by ruthless gang members," Tennessee Middle District Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart said.
Hardison was the last of 12 defendants indicted by a grand jury, with five other Gangster Disciples members previously convicted in April 2019 of conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), drug trafficking and other offenses.
"No longer will they be in a position to bring such violent and destructive behavior upon our communities," Stewart said. "We look forward to the sentencing phase of this case so that we can be assured that Mr. Hardison never has the opportunity to commit another crime. I commend our law-enforcement partners and prosecution team for staying the course and bringing justice on behalf of our citizens."
Hardison's conviction was the result of nearly a decade of law-enforcement effort to build a case against him and fellow gang members.
The conviction "removed one of Clarksville’s most violent criminals from the streets," Special Agent in Charge Mickey French of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Nashville Field Division said. "Though we were able to disrupt the activities of this violent organization, our work is not done. In order to keep our communities safe, ATF and our law enforcement partners remain committed to pursuing these violent gangs that engage in dangerous and illegal activities."
Hardison's conviction stems from activities as part of the "Gangster Disciples," for whom he allegedly committed a variety of crimes, shootings, attempted murders and murders. Among other things, on Jan. 6, 2012, Hardison allegedly murdered a Gangster Disciples’ associate for failing to pay off a drug debt and then shot and killed the associate's girlfriend, a witness to the murder, to keep her from talking. Hardison then got other Gangster Disciples members to dispose of the murder weapon.
"Following these murders, Hardison was rewarded by being appointed to various positions in the Gangster Disciples, including regional chief enforcer and a member of their notorious hitman group called the 'Blackout Squad'," the news release said.
Hardison also is alleged to have participated in a shooting at a residence belonging to a Bloods gang member in Clarksville, Tennessee, in September 2012 and to have killed a Bloods gang member inside a Clarksville nightclub the following November.
In addition, Hardison and other Gangster Disciples were alleged to have engaged in drug trafficking, intimidated witnesses to keep them from cooperating with law enforcement, protected the gang's drug territory, financed the enterprise and enforced gang rules with violence.
In June 2017, a federal grand jury in Nashville returned a 40-count indictment against 11 Gangster Disciples members, including Hardison.
Prosecutors previously sought the death penalty against Hardison.
