Gang members get life

(From Examiner.com):  A USATF press release dated September 13, 2012 shows that Keairus Wilson, 22, a/k/a "Key Thang," and Rondarius Williamson, 22, both of Nashville, Tennessee, have been sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Wilson was sentenced on September 10, 2012 to life, plus 35 years, in prison and Williamson was sentenced yesterday to life, plus 65 years, in prison. Both were convicted by a federal jury on March 22, 2012 for their roles in three murders, racketeering conspiracy, and firearms offenses, all of which were related to their membership in the Bloods street gang.

Wilson was found guilty on eight counts, including the murders of Michael Goins, in June, 2008 and Alexandra Franklin in July, 2009. He also was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, using and carrying firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence, and conspiracy to use and carry firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence.

Williamson was found guilty on seven counts, including the murder of Andreus Taylor in May, 2009. He also was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, using and carrying firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence, and conspiracy to use and carry firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence.

"The life sentences handed down this week are the culmination of more than three years of investigation and litigation involving the Bloods gang. This case exemplifies the commitment of law enforcement in the Middle District of Tennessee to end gang violence by dismantling and prosecuting gang members for their various gang related crimes - from falsified court records, to drug dealing, to murder," said Jerry Martin. "These sentences should serve as a reminder to all current or would-be gang members that the consequences for choosing to engage in gang-related crime are serious." (ATF press release)

"Wilson and Williamson will soon serve hard time for their senseless acts of violence and criminal activity that once empowered the Bloods gang in Nashville," said ATF Special Agent-in- Charge Glenn N. Anderson. "Both have been held accountable as were the other Bloods prosecuted in this investigation. They no longer reign over innocent neighborhoods but instead will become permanent residents at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Without a doubt, the people in Nashville can rest a little easier now that two more violent gang members are off the streets forever. ATF and our law enforcement partners will continue our steadfast focus on gangs that insist on criminal activity as a way of life." (Ibid)

According to evidence presented at trial, Wilson and Williamson were both members of the Bloods, a violent street gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1970s and ultimately migrated to cities throughout the United States, including Nashville. Specifically, Wilson was a member of the Eastside Skyline Piru set of the Bloods, and Williamson was a member of the Tree Top Piru set of the Bloods. The Bloods gang has a hierarchal structure and a long-term and often lethal rivalry with the Crips gang.

From approximately 2006 until December 2011, Bloods gang members committed and conspired to commit acts of murder, attempted murder, robbery and drug trafficking. Evidence at trial showed that the Bloods gang members met regularly to plan and agree upon the crimes to commit, including murder; maintained and circulated a collection of firearms for use in criminal activity by Bloods members; distributed cocaine, cocaine base, marijuana and hydromorphone; and used the proceeds of those drug transactions to help finance the gang's illegal activities. Bloods gang members committed murder and other acts of violence against rival gang members and others during the course of the conspiracy.

More than 30 individuals have pleaded guilty in the Middle District of Tennessee to various crimes related to their involvement in the Bloods gang. Kenneth Gaddie, aka "K.G.," remains a fugitive. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact ATF.

Lonnie Greenlee, 54, of Nashville, co-founder of the Galaxy Star Drug Awareness and Gang Prevention Center in Nashville and father of lead defendant Lonnie Newsome, allowed Bloods gang members to use the facility to conduct gang meetings. According to evidence presented at trial, Greenlee provided numerous Bloods gang members with fraudulent documentation of court-ordered community service hours in exchange for money. Greenlee pleaded guilty in May 2011 to one count of racketeering conspiracy and was sentenced to 24 months' in prison on April 2, 2012.

The remaining defendants and prior sentences imposed include:

Montez Hall a/k/a "Tez," 22, of Nashville, – 360 months;

Anthony Brooks a/k/a "A.B.," 25, of Nashville, – 300 months

Lonnie Newsome a/k/a "Big Lonnie," 26, of Nashville, – 240 months;

Kerry Pettus a/k/a "Lil Kerry," 24, of Nashville, – 240 months;

Tim Allen a/k/a "Lil Tim," 22, of Nashville, – 216 months;

Cedric Woods a/k/a "Lil Ced," 23, of Nashville, – 210 months;

Jeffrey Albea a/k/a "Lil Jeff," 20, of Nashville, – 120 months;

Aaron Gooch a/k/a "A-Ron," 23, of Nashville, – 120 months;

Deshaune Jones a/k/a "Mexico," 23, of Nashville, – 120 months;

William Walden a/k/a "Wild Bill," 23, of Nashville, – 120 months;

Anthony Lampkins a/k/a "Doo Daddy," 23, of Nashville, – 96 months;

Antonio Washington a/k/a "T.O.," 23, of Nashville, – 96 months;

William Bartlett a/k/a "Face Mob," 29 of Gallatin, – Tenn., 88 months;

Ricky Williams a/k/a "Big Rick," 26, of Nashville, – 85 months;

Jermaine Tate a/k/a "Maine Maine," 23, of Nashville, – 85 months;

Alonzo McLaurine a/k/a "Zo," 22, of Nashville, – 84 months;

Shayne Gibson, 20, of Nashville, – 84 months;

Karlos Taylor a/k/a "Los," 22, of Nashville, – 80 months;

Alexander McDonald a/k/a "Dominique," 22, of Nashville, – 60 months;

Anthony Campbell a/k/a "Dante," 22, of Nashville, – 57 months;

Jermaine Coward a/k/a "Maine Maine," 21, – of Nashville, 52 months;

Joedon Bradley a/k/a "Jo Jo," 24, of Nashville, – 48 months;

Adrian Montgomery, 21, of Nashville, – 48 months;

Donald Dowell a/k/a "D-Dow," 26, of Nashville, – 47 months;

Torey Cohen Boseman, 26, of Nashville, – 36 months;

James House a/k/a "Bam," 39, of Nashville, – 30 months;

Shawn Howell, 25, of Nashville, – 27 months;

Rodney Britton, 24, of Nashville, – 24 months;

Kaylon Cunningham, 26, of Nashville, – 60 months probation;

Corneilus Primm, 27, of Nashville, – 36 months probation;

Brandon Prince, 24, of Nashville, – 36 months probation.

The investigation was a joint operation conducted by the ATF; the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; the U.S. Marshals Service; the LaVergne, Tennessee Police Department; and the Davidson County, Tennessee Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Cody L. Skipper, formerly a Trial Attorney assigned to the Depart of Justice's Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant United States Attorney Scarlett M. Singleton for the Middle District of Tennessee.