Hamden Man Admits Role in Murders, Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges: Authorities

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden man has pleaded guilty to federal racketeering and money laundering charges and admitted that he participated in two gang-related murders in 2011, according to authorities.

Keith Young, also known as “Capo,” “Bapo” and “Poncho,” 27, entered his guilty plea in New Haven federal court on Monday, U.S. States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly announced in a press release.

Daly said the matter stems from an investigation into a criminal enterprise known as the Red Side Guerilla Brims (“RSGB”), a sect of the Bloods street gang that operated in New Haven from 2011 through 2015, which was engaged in narcotics trafficking and related acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults and armed robberies.

In addition to distributing crack cocaine and other narcotics in and around New Haven, members and associates of the RSGB, transported crack and heroin to Bangor, Maine, and sold the drugs in Bangor and its surrounding communities, according to Daly.

The RSGB also traded narcotics for firearms, brought the firearms back to New Haven and distributed them to gang members.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Young was a member and leader of the RSGB. On June 24, 2011, Young was present when a RSGB member shot and killed Donnell Allick in New Haven, and, on September 19, 2011, Young was present when another RSGB member shot and killed Darrick Cooper in Hamden.

Authorities said Young also participated in the gang-related trafficking of crack cocaine in Maine, and the transferring drug proceeds from Maine to Connecticut by using Western Union.

“The Red Side Guerilla Brims wreaked havoc from New Haven to Bangor, Maine,” Daly said in a statement. “RSGB members were not only responsible for multiple murders and non-fatal shootings locally, they trafficked drugs and firearms from one end of New England to the other. I thank our law enforcement partners who put this gang out of business, particularly the ATF, New Haven Police Department and Hamden Police Department, for their tireless dedication during this long-term and ongoing investigation. They are providing justice for the many victims of this brutal gang, and making New Haven a safer and better place to live.”

Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, said the ATF’s mission is to combat violent criminals and criminal organizations and with the guilty plea “we have succeeded in taking a very violent gang member off the streets of our communities.”

“The outcome of this case is an example of what happens when agencies cooperate,” Assistant Chief Achilles Generoso of the New Haven Police Department said. “The collaboration between the NHPD, ATF, U.S. Attorney’s Office and State’s Attorney’s Office, once again resulted in dangerous people – involved in gun violence in New Haven and our neighboring communities – being taken off our streets.”

Young pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity, which, because it involves the commission of murder, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Young has been detained since his arrest on September 30, 2015.

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