8 Jackson men included in alleged Gangster Disciple indictments
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Sixteen alleged gang members were indicted Wednesday morning by federal attorneys as part of a multi-agency operation.
“Alleged high ranking members and leaders of the Gangster Disciples have been indicted on federal racketeering charges,” U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton said while addressing media in Memphis Wednesday afternoon. “The organization is the epitome of organized crime, and this is why we’re employing the federal RICO statues to dismantle the organization at it’s highest levels.
Authorities believe having these men behind bars is a large step in stopping the gang’s progress in West Tennessee.
“We are literally cutting off, we believe, a big step rather in cutting off this violent, violent criminal organization at its head,” Stanton said.
Local law enforcement said getting these men off the streets will help curb crime in the community.
“We didn’t arrest every gang member in the state. We didn’t arrest every gang member in the city of Jackson, but we did arrest some significant gang members,” Jackson Police Department Capt. Phillip Kemper said. “There’s going to be some significant consequences to these charges, which is going to send a message.”
“Holding these people accountable and charging them across West Tennessee lets them know and lets everyone know that they can’t hide. They can’t escape that responsibility,” Tennessee District Attorney General Mike Dunavant said.
Before leaving Wednesday morning, Stanton had a final message for the communities where these gangs have taken hold.
“Block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, we would say to those individuals that engage in this criminal conduct, you won’t get away ultimately,” Stanton said. “This is the end result. To those individuals in the community, understand that we’re staying steadfast and vigilant. We’re bringing these individuals to justice.”
The suspects from Jackson include:
• Byron Montrail Purdy, aka “Lil B” or “Ghetto,” 37. Purdy allegedly held the rank of Governor of Tennessee
• Demarcus Deon Crawford aka “Trip,” 32. Crawford repotedly held the rank of Chief of Security of Tennessee
• Santiago Megale Shaw, aka “Mac-T,” 23. Shaw allegedly was a member of the Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson
• Tommy Earl Champion Jr., aka “Duct Tape,” 27. Champion reportedly held the rank of Chief of Security of Jackson
• Cory DeWayne Bowers, aka “Bear Wayne,” 32. Bowers was associated with the Gangster Disciples and acted as a member of the Security Team in Jackson, according to authorities.
• Gerald Eugene Hampton, aka “G30,” 30. Hampton was allegedly a member of the Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson
• Daniel Lee Cole, aka “D-Money,” 37. Officials say Cole acted as Assistant Governor and Assistant Education Coordinator for the Gangster Disciples in Jackson
• Taruis Montez Taylor, aka “T,” 26. Taylor is reportedly a member of the Gangster Disciples’ Security Team or Blackout Squad in Jackson.
Indictments involving dozens of other alleged Gangster Disciples members were also handed down Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia.
