Memphis, TN - Two drug dealers associated with the 7th Street Murda Squad have pled guilty to conspiring to distribute several kilos of cocaine. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the pleas today.
According to the indictment and information presented in court, Joe Jones aka “Joe Cobbs" and “Joe Blow," 37, and Tavious Swift aka “Tabo," 36, both of Memphis, supplied and distributed cocaine in neighborhoods associated with the 7th Street Murda Squad.
The 7th Street Murda Squad is comprised of Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, and other neighborhood gangs. The gang is known to have a reputation of violence, boasting members who have been convicted of violent offenses including aggravated assault, robbery, and murder. The criminal organization is primarily based in residential neighborhoods in the northern area of Memphis.
From at least 2012 to April 2015, both defendants conspired with each other, along with additional co-conspirators, to possess with the intent to distribute and did distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine in West Tennessee.
Over the aforementioned period, Jones reportedly purchased several quarter-kilograms of cocaine from a co-conspirator on a weekly basis. Jones would distribute the cocaine to multiple people, and maintained stash houses where large quantities of cocaine were stored and packaged for distribution.
Swift purchased multiple ounces of cocaine at a time from Jones. He also purchased several ounces from other co-conspirators. In addition to distributing cocaine, Swift
maintained stash houses where large quantities of cocaine were stored and packaged for distribution.
From 2012 to April 2015, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with support from state, local and federal law enforcement partners, conducted a long-term investigation into the 7th Street Murda Squad.
In April 2015, 16 alleged members and associates of the gang were indicted on federal drug charges. Jones and Swift were among the individuals indicted.
On Monday, February 8, 2016, both Jones and Swift pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman on Thursday, May 19, 2016.
Both defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. They also face individual fines of up to $10,000,000.
The cases were investigated by the Memphis DEA Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fabian is prosecuting these cases on the government’s behalf.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
