Feds: 'Mob Gang' Used Kids To Rob Indianapolis Pharmacies

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Prosecutors announced a dozen federal charges this week against nine Indianapolis men accused of belonging to a street gang known as "The Mob." The gang committed at least 24 pharmacy robberies between December 2014 and June 16, according to the indictment unsealed Tuesday.

United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler said the alleged gang stole thousands of prescription drugs, like OxyContin, Percocet and Roxicodone, at a time. The drugs could then be sold illegally on the street for up to $15 per tablet. He said the men made a living by "terrorizing the citizens of Indianapolis."

Gang members allegedly used social media to promote their criminal activities and followed a code of silence, which forbid members to talk to police under threat of violence.

"Their reign of terror is over and now face the hammer of federal law enforcement,” Minkler said.

Members of "The Mob" gang recruited younger accomplices, including lower-level associates known as “peons,” according to the indictment. Many were juveniles as young as 12 years old. Police have not released the names of any juveniles pending adult charges being filed.

Soon after the robberies, members of the gang would upload boastful posts on social media of their crimes and advertise the stolen drugs for street sale, prosecutors said.

“We have taken some extremely dangerous individuals off of the streets of Indianapolis,” said Chief Bryan Roach.

“The allegations detailed in the charging documents are examples of the investigative focus on violence in Indianapolis. We are appreciative of the collective impact that allows such success,” Roach said.

Minkler said his office has prosecuted 35 defendants for pharmacy robberies at 62 pharmacies in and around Marion County and Central Indiana.

Those arrested include:

• Larry Warren, a/k/a Bayboy, 19
• Miguel Chambers,a/k/a Mick, 20
• Kye Jackson, a/k/a Fatty, 22
• Anthony Jackson, a/k/a Ace, 19
• Devon Taylor, 20
• Alphonse Turner, a/k/a Weezy, 24
• Justin Rudolph, 23
• John Doe, a/k/a Toro, Tote

Duwan Byers, a/k/a Rockhead, 21, remains at large.

Those charged face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count. The case was investigated by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indianapolis and Bloomington police departments.

Read more from WRTV, WTTV

» via the Department of Justice

Top photo | Booking photos of alleged "Mob Gang" members, (Left to right from top): Devon Taylor, Alphonse Turner, Larry Warren, Duwan Byers, Justin Rudolph