Eleven more Minneapolis gang members have been indicted in federal court on racketeering charges involving murder, attempted murder, gun trafficking, and drug trafficking in the U.S. Attorney’s crackdown on violent crime, which surged in 2020 following Gov. Tim Walz’s pandemic lockdowns and the George Floyd riots.
The new charges were announced in a press conference Wednesday by U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Andrew Luger, where he detailed the ongoing Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy investigation into Minneapolis street gangs.
Luger said a federal grand jury in Minneapolis returned an 18-count indictment this week against 11 alleged members of the Lows—a violent Minneapolis street gang that operates mostly south of West Broadway Avenue in north Minneapolis, and whose chief rivals are the “Highs,” which operate mostly north of West Broadway.
A corresponding press release detailed the charges against the 11 defendants, who are alleged to traffic in firearms and narcotics, including fentanyl, and use threats, intimidation, and violence to protect their territory, reputation, illicit proceeds, and power. The Lows use violence and threats of violence to target rival gang members as well as individuals who pose a threat to the enterprise or its operations, the U.S. Attorney said.
The indictment charges that the defendants engaged in a pattern of racketeering—that is, unlawful acts of violence, gun trafficking, and narcotics trafficking—for the benefit of the Lows enterprise. The indictment charges 78 overt acts committed in furtherance of the enterprise. These acts include seven murders or attempted murders involving a total of 10 victims.
Center: Damari Douglas, Deontae Jackson, Shannon Jackson
Bottom: Robert Knights Jr., Albert Lucas V, Kaprice Richards, Cartrelle Smith / Sherburne County, MN and Burleigh County, ND jails
The press release listed the following 11 alleged members of the Lows gang, all from Minneapolis, who have been indicted for the following crimes:
- Ashimiyu Alowonle III, a.k.a. Cash (“Alowonle”), 38, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Timothy Callender III, a.k.a. Lil’ Tim (“Callender”), 26, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Glenn Carter III, a.k.a. G5, a.k.a. Bossman Carter (“Carter”), 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy, using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Carter is charged with committing a murder on May 14, 2022 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy.
- Victor Collins, a.k.a. Vic (“Collins”), 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy, using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Collins is charged with committing a murder and an attempted murder on Feb. 27, 2024 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy.
- Damari Douglas, a.k.a. Mari (“Douglas”), 20, is charged with RICO conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a machinegun. Douglas is charged with committing a murder on Dec. 3, 2023 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy.
- Deontae Jackson, a.k.a. Leef (“D.Jackson”), 35, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Shannon Jackson, a.k.a. Shakedown (“S.Jackson”), 32, is charged with RICO conspiracy, using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and felon in possession of a firearm. Jackson is charged with committing a murder on April 27, 2023 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy.
- Robert Knights Jr., a.k.a. CMB Rob, a.k.a. Lil’ Rob (“Knights”), 19, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- Albert Lucas V, a.k.a. Abk Sav (“Lucas”), 20, is charged with RICO conspiracy, using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Lucas is charged with committing a murder and an attempted murder on Feb. 27, 2024 as a racketeering act in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy.
- Kaprice Richards, a.k.a. Kap (“Richards”), 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death. Richards is charged with committing an attempted murder on May 29, 2022 and a murder on April 27, 2023 as racketeering acts in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy.
- Cartrelle Smith, a.k.a. Pooh Moe (“Smith”), 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Luger said the charges against the defendants included a mass shooting and murder in south Minneapolis in February of this year.
The total number of gang members prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in the crackdown effort since May 2023 totals 80 prior to this newest indictment, including members of the Highs, Lows, Bloods, 10z, and 20z gangs, Luger said.
A guilty verdict was returned by a federal jury earlier this month against three Bloods gang members on RICO and related murder charges. Luger said that other Bloods gang members have pleaded guilty to racketeering charges and other crimes, resulting in a total number of convictions of 41 through pleas or trials, to date. Several others are still awaiting trials, he said.
“The Lows are an exceptionally violent criminal street gang that has terrorized north Minneapolis for nearly 20 years. Through threats and violence—shootings and murders—the Lows gang has long sought to establish dominion over large swaths of our city,” said Luger. “My office will continue to respond to gang violence by treating it as the organized criminal activity it is. This indictment is an important step in dismantling a violent street gang that has devastated families and communities in north Minneapolis.”
If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
