CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

'Jacksonville is safer because of this,' 46 gang members are off the streets

Florida Times-Union - 11/4/2018

Nov. 02--They have nicknames as innocent as "Shy," "Nemo" and "Weezy," and as imposing as "Shooter," "Killa B" and "Fierce."

They are among 46 suspects associated with the Rolling 20's gang behind bars either awaiting trial or sentenced on charges as violent as murder and aggravated assault and as mundane as selling drugs after a multi-agency investigation begun in 2016, according to Sheriff Mike Williams.

At a news conference Friday the sheriff called the gang a highly organized group responsible for a wide range of violent crimes. While many are from Jacksonville, the Sheriff's Office and federal agencies flung their nets as far away as California and Virginia to snare others along with the tools of the trade.

Williams said over the entire investigation, they seized 35 firearms and about 400 grams of powdered cocaine, 40 grams of crack cocaine, 70 grams of marijuana, 30 grams of Molly, 5 grams of heroin and 40 grams of Ecstasy.

Joining Friday's news conference were Mayor Lenny Curry, plus U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent-in-Charge John Wester and State Attorney Melissa Nelson. Nelson called the investigation "on point and the execution precise" after assembling a special unit to work with the Sheriff's Office and ATF on arrests in multiple cities and across state lines.

"Because of the good work of many working together, we have dismantled an entire criminal organization that was functioning in other cities and here in our own," Nelson said. "Jacksonville is safer because of this, and I know lives are spared."

The investigation was sparked by the March 2016 hit on 62-year-old Michael Felton Wright, who was to testify in a case against 28-year-old Quintae Davouris Hudson, Williams said. As that homicide investigation continued, detectives learned Hudson had ties with the Rolling 20's gang, which he said was responsible for Wright's murder.

"The research revealed a structured organization involved in murder, attempted murder, robbery, arson, firearms trafficking as well as witness intimidation and other serious offenses dating all the way back to May 2015," Williams said. "Throughout the investigation it became clear that the Rolling 20's gang was more organized than the neighborhood-based street culture rap association-type gangs we typically see here in Jacksonville. In fact, the hierarchy branched outside of Jacksonville to other cities and states."

The Sheriff's Office's gang and violent crime units worked with state and federal agencies to track other cases that involved the gang and arrested 22 members, Williams said. But even with the core members behind bars in Jacksonville, others were attempting to "fill the vacuum of leadership that was now open."

"The Rolling 20's had ties that went up and down the East Coast. Cities like Augusta and Richmond, Baltimore and some in California were also involved," Williams said. "These ties outside the Jacksonville area and the internal power struggle within the gang led JSO to leverage key partnerships with ATF and the U.S. Attorney's Office for a second phase of the joint investigation."

More arrest warrants were issued Oct. 22, resulting in the rest of the captures, Williams said.

Many of those arrested face major charges, identified by police with their nicknames on the posters displayed at the news briefing.

Hercules "Bags" Bowers and his wife, Shersonya "Hurricane" Bowers, were both charged with conspiracy to commit murder on top of a murder charge for the wife, the Sheriff's Office said. Others charged with murder include Davis "Fierce" Goodman, Aaron "Block" Gregory, Hason "Shooter" Smiley and Arsenio "Red Rum" James.

Some have already been sentenced, most to state prison. The longest term was Hudson's life sentence for murder, witness tampering and directing gang activities, the last apropos since his nickname was "Boss." James' second-degree murder conviction netted him a 35-year sentence. There was nine years for Breontay "Indiana Boy" Firrie McMillion for armed burglary and Marcus "Boom" Twine's nine-year term for robbery, burglary and fleeing police. Ten-year state terms were handed down to Brandon "Ox" Houston for arson and burglary convictions, as well as Oran "O" Sherrer Jr.'s armed robbery conviction.

Nelson "Glizzie" Hill got a four-year state term for possession of a gun by a felon, while Anthony "Dough Boy" Gregory received five years for aggravated assault, robbery and fleeing police. Anthony "Goat" Whitehead was imprisoned for three years for armed burglary with assault, Camry "Neptune" May was sentenced to 10 years for aggravated assault and fleeing police and Dwayne "Weezy" Bell received a 250-day sentence for sale of cocaine.

The sheriff said there are at least 51 street gangs operating in the city, their members involved in a number of the 80 homicide cases still under investigation, but this particular one is "dismantled." Asked if the Sheriff's Office is getting more aggressive against them, he said it is a more targeted approach and more technology-driven.

"They drive the violence in this community, and that's who is going to get our time and attention," Williams said.

As far as concern about remaining gang members retaliating, Williams said the agency is ready with more police presence, some "you don't see, again clearly focused on keeping the people of Jacksonville safe."

Five other gang members are still being sought on warrants: Dashawn "Whop" Rose, Ronald Coleman, Jacoby "L'il Colby" Hartley, Jamie "Savage" Williams and Humphrey Benton, the Sheriff's Office said.

Dan Scanlan: (904) 359-4549

___

(c)2018 The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Visit The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.) at www.jacksonville.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.