Memphis, TN - Fourteen defendants of a violent, drug trafficking street gang, along with fifteen individuals not affiliated with "Young Mob" were indicted on federal drug charges. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the charges yesterday.
First indictment
Yesterday, members of the ATF Memphis Field Office, U.S. Marshals Office, Tipton County Sheriff’s Office and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office arrested fourteen defendants named in an indictment as members and associates of the Young Mob gang, an armed drug trafficking organization.
The arrests and indictment are the result of an extensive investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement officials into the Young Mob gang, which began in 2016. During the investigation, officials were able to determine that members and associates of the gang were distributing large quantities of narcotics throughout the Western District of Tennessee.
"As the indictment alleges, members of the "Young Mob" distributed substantial amounts of drugs throughout West Tennessee. In addition, members of the "Young Mob" also brought dangerous weapons into our community," said Acting U.S. Attorney Laurenzi. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate the violence gang members inflict upon our communities and put a stop to their criminal enterprises. In accomplishing these goals, we will exhaust every available resource to bring them to justice. Dismantling violent gangs at the highest levels remains a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners."
The fourteen defendants arrested are:
• Travlis Banks, a/k/a "Puncho," 37, of Memphis, TN;
• Cordarius Frost, a/k/a "Red," a/k/a "Lil Red," 26, of Memphis, TN;
• Antwaun Mathews, a/k/a "Twaun," a/k/a "Mobhomie Twaun," 27, of Memphis, TN;
• Ronneill Ross, a/k/a "BG,"37, of Memphis, TN;
• Cortney Williams, a/k/a "CC," 26, of Memphis, TN;
• Darrell Booth, a/k/a "Boo," a/k/a "Pawntell,"37, of Memphis, TN;
• Rubin Hampton, 26, of Memphis, TN;
• Johnquis Jones, a/k/a "Bug," 24, of Memphis, TN;
• Anthony Allen, a/k/a/ "UNC," 50, of Memphis, TN;
• Damein Pack, 32, of Memphis, TN;
• Carlus Johnson, 34, of Memphis, TN;
• Shavita Hampton 25, of Memphis, TN;
• Angela Boyd, a/k/a "Auntie," 53, of Memphis, TN;
• Tori Dickson, 24, of Memphis, TN.
Steve Gerido, ATF Special Agent in Charge said, "The relentless proactive approach of this investigation by ATF and our partners has severely limited the criminal behavior in the affected Memphis neighborhoods. ATF will remain engaged as we move forward in an effort to protect the public from violent offenders. Support from the public is crucial as the reporting of illegal activity is encouraged through ATF’s report it phone app."
The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than forty firearms, several of which were stolen; 15-20 digital scales, several cellular telephones, hundreds of different caliber rounds of ammunition and several magazines for firearms. Law enforcement also seized $85,661 in cash, which was derived from the sale of narcotics and firearms.
The case was investigated by the ATF Memphis Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Memphis Gang Unit.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Sam Stringfellow is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.
Second indictment
A second indictment charged fifteen residents of the Memphis area for conspiring to distribute large quantities of drugs throughout West Tennessee. Today nine defendants were taken into custody by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
According to the indictment, on or about March 1, 2016, and continuing through the returning of the indictment, the defendants conspired to distribute various controlled substances, including methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and alprazolam (Xanax). Three defendants have also been indicted for conspiring to commit money laundering.
"As alleged, these defendants worked together to distribute all sorts of illegal drugs throughout the Memphis area, while lining their pockets with the illicit proceeds," said Acting U.S. Attorney Laurenzi. "These charges and arrests show that we will bring to justice those who peddle this poison, particularly to our children and young adults. I thank the FBI, the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and all our partners for their diligent efforts on this case, and I’d like to express particular gratitude to the federal, state and local law enforcement officials who took part in today’s takedown."
The nine defendants who have been arrested are:
• Rodriccos Broadnax, a/k/a "Rico," 22, of Memphis, TN; • Jerome Taylor, a/k/a/ "Rome," a/k/a "Three Pop," 56, of Memphis, TN; • Teeka Shannon, 34, of Memphis, TN; • Angela Weaver, 41, of Memphis, TN; • Richard Cobb, 48, of Bartlett, TN; • Paul Williams, 33, of Lakeland, TN; • Arteleious Ingram, a/k/a "Block," 29, of Memphis, TN; • Brandon Davison, a/k/a/ "Millwood," a/k/a/ "Lil B," 29, of Memphis, TN; • Shalandria Jackson, a/k/a "Pumpkin," 24, of Memphis, TN.
"Gang-related drug trafficking continued to plague our communities. These arrests will help return the affected neighborhoods to places where residents can live and work, and enjoy their communities free from the distraction of gangs, guns, drugs and violence," said Matthew W. Espenshade, Acting Special Agent in Charge of theMemphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "It is the continued commitment of the FBI and our partners to disrupt and dismantle gang activity to ensure a safer community."
Count 1 charges Jerome Taylor, Larry Broadnax, Rodriccos Broadnax, Teeka Shannon, Jason Washington, Angela Weaver, Richard Cobb and Paul Williams with conspiracy to distribute Methamphetamine. Taylor, Larry Broadnax, Rodriccos Broadnax, Rodney Broadnax and Shannon are alleged to have distributed 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine. Washington,
Weaver, Cobb and Williams are alleged to have distributed 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of Methamphetamine.
Count 2 charges Larry Broadnax, Artelious Ingram, Rodriccos Broadnax, Rodney Broadnax, Jerome Taylor, Brandon Davison, Shalandria Jackson and two others with conspiracy to distribute Marijuana. The indictment states that Larry Broadnax was responsible for distributing more than 1,000 kilograms of Marijuana.
Count 3 charges Larry Broadnax and another individual with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine.
Count 4 charges Larry Broadnax, Rodriccos Broadnax, Brandon Davison, Robert Cobb and another individual with conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone.
Count 5 charges Larry Broadnax, Rodney Broadnax and Jerome Taylor with conspiracy to distribute Hydrocodone.
Count 6 charges Larry Broadnax, Jerome Taylor, Rodriccos Broadnax, Angela Weaver and Brandon Davison with conspiracy to distribute Alprazolam (Xanax).
Count 7 charges Larry Broadnax, Arteleious Ingram and another individual with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Multi-Agency Gang Unit. The Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of agents and officers from the FBI’s Memphis Division, the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, the Bartlett Police Department, the Germantown Police Department and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department. During the investigation, members of the Task Force also worked closely with the Memphis Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark Erskine is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
