Rival Philadelphia Crack Ring Members Facing Murder, Drug Trafficking Charges: Feds

PHILADELPHIA – Federal officials Thursday announced 13 people tied to two rival crack-cocaine distribution rings in West Philadelphia have been indicted on charges including murder, drug trafficking, and unlawful possession and use of firearms. Ten of the 13 were arrested Thursday, one was already in custody, and two are still being sought by the authorities, officials said.

Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen announced Thursday the defendants, all of whom are listed below, sold drugs for several years in the Mill Creek neighborhood in West Philadelphia as part of two "organizations."

One organization sold crack in a playground, commonly referred to as "the Grounds," located near to the intersection of 52nd Street and Westminster Avenue. The second organization sold crack in a playground, commonly referred to as "the Pit," located near to the intersection of 51st Street and Reno Street.

These two areas are just blocks apart and are separated by a baseball field on Westminster Avenue, the lower boundary of "the Grounds."

"The Grounds" organization involved:

• Robert Mack, a/k/a Tweet,
• Kenneth Riley, a/k/a Kenny,
• James Wilson, a/k/a JT,
• Clayton Roberts, a/k/a Water,
• Mark Samuel,
• Xavier Towel, a/k/a Zay,
• Sir Robert Keen, a/k/a Brock,
• and others.

“The Pit” organization involved:

• Sean Gilliam, a/k/a Shizzy-Ones,
• Bryant Calloway, a/k/a Bigs,
• Sean Wilson, a/k/a Lil Shizz,
• Tonie Henderson, a/k/a Tone,
• Tyree Johnson, a/k/a Riq,
• and others.

In the summer of 2013, Calloway, a convicted felon and member of "the Pit," attempted to overtake a portion of the crack sales that were occurring in "the Grounds" area, Lappen's office said.

As the attempt to take over sales continued, on August 5, 2013 Calloway and others entered “the Grounds” and shot and killed Brian Littles, who at the time was selling crack for "the Grounds," according to Lappen's office.

Calloway allegedly killed Littles in order to attempt to expand the drug distribution area of his organization.

In retaliation, members of "the Grounds" conspired to shoot Calloway and on November 22, 2013, Wilson, a convicted felon and member of “the Grounds," shot Calloway about 10 times but Calloway survived, according to Lappen's office.

Shortly after Calloway was shot, Sean Wilson, a convicted felon and member of "the Pit," fired multiple shots from a firearm down a residential street next to "the Grounds," leading to an innocent bystander in the area being shot and injured, Lappen's office said.

Seven members of “the Grounds” organization were charged in a 16 count indictment that charges, among other offenses, a multi-year long crack distribution conspiracy, the shooting of Calloway, possession, use and discharge of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and multiple counts of crack distribution and distribution of crack within a protected zone, according to Lappen's office.

Five members of "the Pit" organization were charged in a 31 count indictment. That indictment charges, among other offenses, a multi-year long crack distribution conspiracy, the murder of Littles, the shooting of the bystander, possession, use and discharge of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and multiple counts of crack distribution and distribution of crack within a protected zone, Lappen's office said.

Also, a two count indictment was filed against Marcus Royster who, during an ATF investigation, sold over 28 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant within a protected zone, according to Lappen's office.

“The alleged acts of those charged here illustrate the threat to our communities posed by the violent crime that goes hand in hand with drug distribution,” said Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. ”The violence knows no boundaries, nor does it respect protected zones, like community playgrounds, that should be safe spaces. Through the cooperation between federal and local officials in cases like this, we remain committed to significant prosecutions that will make our communities safer.”

“The ATF is committed to working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to target violent drug trafficking organizations that are responsible for drug trafficking and related gun violence in our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Cekada. “These indictments are a perfect example of the collaborative effort between the ATF and the Philadelphia Police Department to target violent offenders.”

“This investigation, along with the resultant arrests, is a fine example of great collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, Jr. “We appreciate all of our law enforcement partners in our collective effort to keep our city safe.”

If convicted the defendants face lengthy terms of imprisonment.

Bryant Calloway, Kenneth Riley, and James Wilson, each face a mandatory minimum term of 30 years imprisonment and a maximum of life.

Sean Gilliam and Robert Mack each face a mandatory minimum term of 25 years imprisonment and a maximum of life.

Sean Wilson, Tyree Johnson, Clayton Roberts, Xavier Towel, Sir Robert Keen, and Marcus Royster each face a mandatory minimum term of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum of life.

Tonie Henderson and Mark Samuel each face a mandatory minimum term of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life.

Each defendant also faces multiple years of post-release supervision, potential fines and special assessments.

Images via Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives