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Federal Indictment Targets Davis-Based Bloods Street Gang Linked to Murder, Drug Trafficking, Witness Intimidation and Other Felony Charges Friday, December 15th, 2022 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of San Andreas LOS SANTOS, SA – Federal prosecutors have charged more than ten members and associates of a South Los Santos-based Bloods street gang today with conspiracy charges in what law enforcement leaders are labeling as a major shift in the government's previous stance to counter violent crimes within the city. For the first time in years, prosecutors are imposing racketeering conspiracy charges to go after Los Santos gangs linked to allegations of murder, robbery, drug conspiracy and gun crimes. The statute-- also referred to as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) --- was initially used in the late 90s to bring down organized crime families and requires approval from the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. The indictment targeted the leadership and key members of the Grove Street Piru (GSP) street gang, a violent organization that allegedly "cooked" and distributed crack cocaine in numerous areas of their surrounding neighborhood, most specifically the “Go Gas” gas station; A fairly busy convenience store located in the heart of Davis and cornering Grove Street and Davis Avenue. After cooking and packaging the crack cocaine, members of the drug-trafficking conspiracy allegedly delivered drugs to customers at various locations not only just within the surrounding area, but the state. Members would often "prey on the most vulnerable of the most vulnerable," prosecutors noted in sentencing papers filed with the court. "Purposely traveling from their own neighborhood to infiltrate the Mission Row area of downtown, despite its own dangers, where, as established at trial, defendants sold directly adjacent to substance abuse recovery centers and mental health centers. Defendants purposely and thoughtfully capitalized on these individuals." Many of the individuals living in the Mission Row area are also narcotics users. The street dealers' prey on the homeless when they receive their public assistance at the beginning of the month. It is widespread that gang members and associates from various neighborhoods throughout Los Santos County would traditionally engage in control and or involve themselves in narcotics sales in the Mission Row area. Other distribution methods consisted of alleged members of the conspiracy purportedly sold crack cocaine by driving in and around Davis, LS, making stops at regular locations where street-level customers knew they could find dealers. Many of the gang’s narcotics sales were for small amounts, but the indictment discusses a series of larger transactions, some involving ounce quantities of crack cocaine. Intercepted communications during the investigation revealed members of the conspiracy discussing a transaction involving two kilograms of cocaine. Several defendants in the indictment – Demarcus Glen Gardner, also known as “Bad Luck,” 29, of South LS; Justin Andrew Miller also known as “J-Bone,” 18, of South LS; and Jonathan Juarez, 19, also known as “Benzo,” a Davis resident and GSP member who was already in state custody on unrelated charges – utilized the Go Gas, which from the exterior appeared to be a typical convenience store, but in reality was nothing more than a drug processing and storage facility used to further the gang's operations. According to the indictment, several defendants “discussed attempting to make the shop look like an actual retail store and getting window signs to help drug customers and co-conspirators help identify when to avoid going into the shop.” "The actions and announcements made today mark a fundamental change for federal and state law enforcement," U.S Attorney Andrew Luger said Friday as two indictments were unsealed. "We are now addressing modern day gang violence for what it is: Organized criminal activity." The indictment charges 15 defendants, 10 of whom were arrested last night and this morning. Out of the remaining five defendants, two were already in state custody, and three are currently fugitives. All of the defendants are previously convicted felons and possessed firearms in relation to their drug activities. Charges vary between defendants with charges related to maintaining and utilizing drug-involved premises; possession with intent to distribute, and distribution, of crack cocaine; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime; felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; and witness intimidation. Prosecutors also state that those charged engaged in a "brutal and unrelenting trail of violence" spanning multiple years. These charges outline how prospective and long-standing members are ordered and free willingly involve themselves in violent crimes in order to further prove their loyalty to the gang by "putting in work" and or by helping procure drugs or weapons. Those who fail to follow through would be "put off," or worse, murdered. “The FBI’s mission at the beginning of this investigation was to significantly disrupt the Grove Street Piru criminal enterprise operating in Davis,” Donald Alway, FBI-Los Santos Acting Special Agent in Charge, said. “The federal indictment and arrest of its web of leaders has brought us closer to our ultimate goal of dismantling one of the most violent street gangs in the city. This investigation is a tremendous example of the positive impact law enforcement has on the community and when federal, county, and local authorities join together with a common purpose.” The defendants taken into custody since last night are scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Santos. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. If they were to be convicted, each of the defendants would face decades in federal prison. The conspiracy count alone carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life without parole. The investigation targeting GSP was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Los Santos Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua O. Mausner of the Violent and Organized Crime Section. Contact Gregory Loval Spokesperson/Public Affairs Officer United States Attorney’s Office Central District of San Andreas (Los Santos) 213-898-6946 Updated Dec 15, 2023