45 Charged In RICO Indictment Targeting 2 Rival Minneapolis Gangs

MINNEAPOLIS — Forty-five Minneapolis gang members and associates were named in two federal indictments unsealed Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced.

The indictments allege a racketeering (RICO) conspiracy involving murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking.

The people charged are local members and associates of the rival "Highs" and the "Bloods" street gangs, according to prosecutors.

"Today’s announcement marks a fundamental change for federal law enforcement. We are now addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity," Luger said in a news release.

"As alleged, these defendants engaged in an unrelenting trail of violence, resulting in today’s federal RICO charges and related charges. The aggregate nature of a RICO prosecution has a deeper impact and carries a stronger deterrence message, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence and returning peace to our communities."

Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. — of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office— said the arrests "demonstrate our efforts are turning the tide against organized crime in the Twin Cities and the upper Midwest."

Highs Enterprise Indictments

Twenty members and associates of the "Highs Enterprise" street gang were charged in a 12-count indictment with RICO conspiracy involving five separate murders, more than 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking, authorities said.

Five others face separate drug and gun charges.

The Highs have been operating primarily in the north side of Minneapolis since approximately 2008, authorities said. The gang meets at businesses and residences near the West Broadway Avenue and Lyndale Avenue North intersection, according to investigators.

Prospective Highs members proved their loyalty to the gang by "putting in work," which often means committing violent crimes or introducing a new source for drugs or firearms, prosecutors said.

Members are kicked out of the gang and physically attacked if they fail to "put in work," according to authorities.

The Highs leaders, known as "shot callers," choose how much and where drugs can be bought and sold, investigators said. Shot callers also distribute firearms to other Highs members, according to authorities.

Minneapolis Bloods Enterprise Indictments

Five members and associates of the Minneapolis Bloods were charged in a separate indictment, including two who are charged with RICO conspiracy involving two separate murders, over 10 attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking.

Three others face separate drug and gun charges, including using a firearm for two separate murders.

This indictment links the Bloods to a 2020 shootout and murder at the 200 Club in north Minneapolis and a fatal April 2022 beating outside of William’s Pub in Uptown.

The Minneapolis Bloods chapter existed for decades, according to authorities. Members of the Bloods, who often wear red, control and operate territory on the south side of Minneapolis, investigators said.

According to prosecutors, the hierarchy of the Bloods includes:

• New recruits, or "YGs" who commit crimes to earn respect
• "Enforcers" who carry out orders
• Original gangsters, or "OGs" are respected members
• "Double OG” is an even higher rank

All OGs are equal in rank and can direct “shots” or orders. “Enforcers” carry out the OG’s “shots” or orders by beating or assaulting the offender.

The U.S. Attorney's Office provided a summary of the charges each defendant faces below. All defendants are from Minneapolis unless otherwise noted.

Highs indictment

• Montez Brown, aka Tez Blood, 31, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Dantrell Johnson, aka Trell Moe, 30, is charged with RICO conspiracy and with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Gregory Hamilton, aka Lil’ Lord, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Keon Pruitt, aka KenKen, 20, is charged with RICO conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Jovan Knight, aka 23, aka JoJo, 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Tyreese Giles, aka Reese, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Josiah Taylor, aka Joker, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Douglas Mobley, aka Nut, 35, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Jarrett Robinson, aka Gator, 25, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• Trevaun Robinson, aka Tricky Tre, 27, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Isaac Hodge, aka Ike, 46, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Christopher Finch, aka Twin, 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Tony Jelks, aka BD, 29, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Cortez Blakemore, aka Tez, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Randy Tate, aka “Randy,” aka 32, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Trevoneia Felton, aka Tre, 21, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Chase Robertson, aka Chase Loco, 25, of St. Paul, is charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Malcolm Samuels, aka Reggie, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• William Banks, aka Bear, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Ronald Washington, aka Black, 36, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
• William Johnson, aka Lil’ Will, 32, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Dashaun Morris, aka Mush, 21, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Ernest Boyd, aka Shaky Shawn, 42, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Maron Bailey, aka Boonie, 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
• Isaiah Bell, 20, of St. Paul, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Highs members or associates charged in individual indictments:

• Montrell Shief, 23, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a machinegun.
• Deon Williams, aka Ghost, 28, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Dennis Mobley, aka Diddy, 34, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Bloods indictment:

• Desean James Solomon, aka Black, 33, is charged with RICO conspiracy and two counts of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Michael Allen Burrell, aka Skitz, 42, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.
• Leontawan Lentez Holt, aka Leon, aka Shotta, aka Shot Dog, 25, is charged with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of murder.

Bloods members or associates charged in individual indictments:

• Theodore Harold Bobo Jr., aka Boo, 37 of St. Paul, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Jordan Kenneth Edwards, aka J-Bird, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon of possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Isaiah Lamuel Elisha Ferguson, 26, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Josiah Ferguson, 24, is charged with firearm conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Demarcus Cortez Garner, 24, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
• Andrew Dayjon Griffin, 32, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Obuatawan Holt, aka Bone, 47, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Latoya Bea Smith, 47, is charged with knowingly transferring firearms to a felon.
• John Eric Solomon, aka Eastside, 33 of Minneapolis, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Traigh Sean Tillman, 29, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
• Nathan Walz, aka Fat Nate, aka Fat Blood, aka Fat Boy, aka White Boy Nate, 34, of Prior Lake, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.