Massive Bust Takes 37 Drug Dealers Off Streets, Dozen From Manassas

Investigators wrapped a multi-year investigation into the Nine Trey Gangsters Bloods criminal street gang on Thursday, with the final arrest and prosecution of 37 gang members accused of drug distribution — mainly crack cocaine — in northern Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

Operation Ruby Red and Operation Full Blooded Ink began in 2013. Other related criminal activity included conspiracy to commit racketeering, violence in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to distribute counterfeit currency, and possession and use of firearms.

“My hope is that our efforts to investigate and prosecute these gang members will send a clear message to our communities: Violent gangs and their members will not be tolerated,” Boente said. “They will be aggressively pursued and prosecuted at every opportunity.”

Here’s the Manassas suspects, their charges and the outcome of their cases:

• Michael Smallwood, aka Heavenly Sovereignty, 45, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on April 9, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on July 10, 2013, to 30 years in prison.
• Raymond Dawes, aka Veins, 35, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on April 23, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on July 23, 2013, to 12 years 7 months in prison.
• Lovell Ritchie, aka Snax, 31, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on April 23, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on Dec. 12, 2013, to 12 years 7 months in prison.
• Amanda Ewell, aka Amanda Sovereignty, 30, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on June 5, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on Sept. 23, 2013, to 10 years in prison.
• Thaddaeus Snow, aka Storm, 25, of Manassas: Found guilty at trial on Feb. 21, 2014, of various crimes, including sex trafficking, distribution of narcotics, robbery and counterfeit money, violence in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm, Hobbs Act Robbery, etc. Sentenced on May 9, 2014, to 40 years in prison.
• Justin Finley, aka J Mo, 26, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on Nov. 26, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on Feb. 28, 2014, to 11 years 8 months in prison.
• Stephon Greene aka Blitz, 23, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on Jan. 30, 2014, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on April 18, 2014, to 10 years in prison.
• LaTonya Snow, aka Lady Dynasty, 32, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on Jan. 30, 2014, to conspiracy to violate the Mann Act by transporting prostitutes across state lines. Sentenced on April 18, 2014, to 90 days in prison and three years of active probation.
• Joshua Pendleton Brooks aka Wacko, 29, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on Jan. 23, 2014, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on April 8, 2014, to five years 10 months in prison.
• Antwan Minor, aka Noid, 35, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on Oct. 1, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced on Jan. 17, 2014, to 14 years in prison.
• Deyonka Gaskins, 31, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on Feb. 6, 2014, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Due to Gaskin’s lack of criminal history she was eligible for the safe valve guidelines for sentencing (which removes the ten year mandatory minimum portion of her final sentence). Sentenced to 6 days in prison and three years of active probation.
• Gracier Isique, 30, of Manassas: Pleaded guilty on Jan. 16, 2014, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Sentenced to three years of active probation.

See information on all the defendants.