Baltimore Gang Member's Plea: Murder, Threats Shielded Drug Trade

BALTIMORE, MD — A Baltimore man admitted Tuesday to committing murder and other crimes as a member of Murdaland Mafia Piru, a particularly violent subset of the Bloods gang. The gang has controlled the drug trade in bands of northwest Baltimore City and Baltimore County, including Forest Park, Gwynn Oak, Howard Park, Walbrook Junction, Windsor Mill and Woodlawn, according to officials.

In his plea agreement, 33-year-old Dontray Johnson — also known as "Gambino," "Bino" and "Tray" — admitted that he committed murder, extortion, robbery, witness tampering and retaliation, money laundering and drug distribution as a member of the gang, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

To protect gang territory and eliminate their rivals, prosecutors said Murdaland Mafia Piru members used violence and threats of violence, enriching themselves through drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

Johnson admitted to killing two people and conspiring to sell drugs, authorities reported, and his social media activity was one element that helped federal, state and local agencies solidify the evidence against him. He is one of 14 of the 26 charged in the Murdaland Mafia Piru case to plead guilty, officials said.

“Federal authorities worked with the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments and State’s Attorney’s Offices to dismantle a criminal organization that dealt drugs and despair in Northwest Baltimore and Baltimore County," U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur said in a statement. "We are committed to using this sort of coordinated effort to bring to justice the violent gang members that terrorize our communities."

Officials said Johnson admitted to the following in his plea agreement:

• On Sept. 29, 2015, he murdered Murdaland Mafia Piru member Brian Johnson aka "Nutty B" for refusing to pay gang dues that Johnson was collecting for another member.
• On July 31, 2015, law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered 28 grams of heroin; 70 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition; a bulletproof vest; $1,480 in cash; and an “owe sheet” with a tally of drug debts owed by Murdaland Mafia Piru's members and associates, in Dontray Johnson's Owings Mills home.
• On Nov. 1, 2013, he was featured in two rap videos that circulated on social media: "Boy You Lying" and "Str8 Mobbin," which showed the gang's drug strongholds and Dontray Johnson brandishing a firearm with fellow Murdaland Mafia Paru gang members. The videos were designed to "intimidate rivals and discourage anyone from selling drugs in [the gang's] territory without paying its members," prosecutors allege.
• On Nov. 22, 2012, Johnson murdered Murdaland Mafia Piru member Antoine Ellis aka "Poopy" in the 200 block of North Forest Park Avenue, because he had allegedly shown disloyalty to the gang. Before committing the murder, officials say Johnson posted "198 n risen" on his Facebook page, referring to Baltimore City's murder count that year.
• Johnson conspired with the gang to distribute 1 kilogram of heroin and 280 grams of crack cocaine, knowing that 1 to 3 kilograms of heroin and 280 to 840 grams of crack would be distributed.

The gang maintained a drug shop in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road that was "particularly lucrative due to its close proximity to Interstate 70," drawing customers from western Maryland and neighboring states, officials said.

“The Murdaland Madia Piru and Dontray Johnson showed no concern for the Baltimore communities they flooded with murder, violence, and drugs," Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said in a statement Tuesday. "They irreparably damaged the families of their victims and the neighborhoods in which they operated. Today’s plea shows the importance of investigating and prosecuting these violent groups who willfully destroy communities."

Johnson entered his plea agreement Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Under the terms of the agreement, he could be sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Sentencing for Johnson is set for 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 16 before U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake.

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