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Related: About this forumFeds charge 45 people in takedown of 2 Minneapolis gangs
Also: 45 Minneapolis Gang Members and Associates Indicted on Federal Charges (U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota)
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Source: Associated Press
Feds charge 45 people in takedown of 2 Minneapolis gangs
By STEVE KARNOWSKI
May 3, 2023
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal authorities announced racketeering and other charges Wednesday against 45 members or associates of two major Minneapolis street gangs for crimes including seven homicides, plus numerous drug trafficking and firearms violations.
U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said at a news conference that the takedown targeted the Highs, who are based in north Minneapolis, and the Bloods, who operate primarily on the south side. As for a third gang, the Lows, from a different part of north Minneapolis, he said charges against them are coming.
“Today’s announcement marks a fundamental change in how we address gang violence. Starting with these charges, we are prosecuting street gangs as the criminal organizations they are,” Luger said. He contrasted that with what he called a traditional local approach to prosecuting gun violence of charging offenders “crime by crime, shooting by shooting, case by case.”
All but two of the suspects are in custody, Luger said. Around two dozen of them were arrested in recent days, he said, while several were already in state or federal custody on other charges.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-gang-takedown-crime-prosecution-6c004c4e02353b82d6be86413a41ca89
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Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota
45 Minneapolis Gang Members and Associates Indicted on Federal Charges
Newly Unsealed Indictments Include RICO Conspiracy, Murder, and Drug Trafficking Offenses
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS – Two indictments were unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 30 members and associates of two Minneapolis-based street gangs – the Highs and the Bloods – with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy involving alleged murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking. Additional charges include the use of a firearm to commit murder and drug trafficking. In addition to these indictments, separate charging documents have been brought against an additional 15 Highs or Bloods members on drug and gun charges.
“Today’s announcement marks a fundamental change for federal law enforcement. We are now addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “As alleged, these defendants engaged in an unrelenting trail of violence, resulting in today’s federal RICO charges and related charges. The aggregate nature of a RICO prosecution has a deeper impact and carries a stronger deterrence message, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence and returning peace to our communities.”
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Highs Enterprise Indictments
Twenty members and associates of the Highs Enterprise are charged in a 12-count indictment with RICO conspiracy involving five separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. Five additional defendants are charged in this indictment with separate drug and gun charges.
As alleged in this indictment, the Highs have been operating primarily in the north side of Minneapolis since approximately 2008. ...
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Minneapolis Bloods Enterprise Indictments
Five members and associates of the Minneapolis Bloods charged in a separate indictment, including two who are charged with RICO conspiracy involving two separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking. The remaining three defendants are charged with separate drug and gun charges, including using a firearm in a killing for two separate murders.
As alleged in this indictment, the Minneapolis Bloods chapter has been in existence for several decades, controlling and operating territory on the south side of Minneapolis. ...
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Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/45-minneapolis-gang-members-and-associates-indicted-federal-charges