PHILADELPHIA - Ramel Moten, 29, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to life plus 130 years in prison for racketeering, attempted murder in-aid-of-racketeering and other charges connected to the activities of a violent drug gang called the “Harlem Boys." Moten and six other members of the gang, which operated in and around the Bartram Village Housing Development (“BVHD") in Southwest Philadelphia, were convicted at trial on December 6, 2012. The 13 other defendants charged in the 89-count indictment and one additional charged separately pleaded guilty. Moten was a lead gunman, supplier and distributor of illegal narcotics for the enterprise. He frequently provided firearms to the other members of the gang for use in robberies. The gang committed crimes including attempted murder in aid of racketeering, robbery, carjacking, assault in aid of racketeering, threats in aid of racketeering, firearms offenses that include use of firearms during the commission of violent crimes and numerous substantive drug crimes, including conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. The trial lasted 12 weeks.
Convicted at trial with Moten were: Reginald Stephens, Bryan Hill, Warren Stokes, Hikeem Torrence, Merrell Hobbs, and Khalil Allen. Each faces a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years with a maximum of life when sentenced.
“The sentence imposed today sends a very clear message to gang members in our city that if you engage in violent behavior you will be investigated, prosecuted, and put behind bars for a very long time. ATF has a zero-tolerance policy towards career criminals who continually inflict senseless acts of violence in our neighborhoods," said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Sam Rabadi. “Communities, like Bartram Village, can have an improved quality of life when violent predators are removed from our streets."
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Stengel ordered a $5,000 fine, a $3,100 special assessment and 10 years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department, it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Salvatore L. Astolfi and Katayoun Copeland.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
