Jan 30, 2008 8:57 am US/Eastern
15 Local "Bloods" Gang Members Indicted
BROWARD (CBS4) ―
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Defendant Earnest Copeland
Broward Sheriff's Office
More than a dozen South Florida gang members, with ties to one of the nation's most notorious street gangs, have been indicted including one of the group's leaders.
According to the U.S. Attorney for Southern Florida, Alex Acosta, the alleged gang members are part of the national "Bloods" gang.
Fourteen members of the South Florida-based Bloods have been charged under the federal RICO statute. RICO stands for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations. Another member has been charged separately with robbery.
The indictment, unsealed Tuesday, states the local chapter is based in Miramar and its leader, Earnest Copeland is alleged to be an "OG," which stands for "Original Gangsta," and means, 'a boss' in the local Bloods criminal organization.
Defendants Raymond Edward Desinor and Daquan Thomas were identified in the indictment as 'gang leaders' and reported directly to Copeland. The remaining defendants were members and associates of the gang, and conducted the gang's business through violence, intimidation, and threats of force.
The local street gang, connected to the National Bloods criminal organization, is known as "Neighborhood Piru", and "NHP", said Acosta.
The word "Piru" refers to the original Blood gang that originated in Southern California, according to the Florida Department of Corrections Web site.
The alleged crimes outlined in the indictment include attempted murder, kidnapping, extortion, armed home invasions, armed robberies of businesses and individuals, auto theft, drug trafficking, illegal possession and use of firearms, witness tampering and retaliation against witnesses.
U.S. Attorney Acosta stated, "Almost every day in South Florida, we witness the deadly consequences of gang and gang-related violence. Gang violence is not self-contained. It is not limited to one gang member killing another or killing a rival. Gang violence spills onto our neighborhoods, killing innocent victims, destroying entire families, and poisoning the future and the welfare of our children. Together with our federal and local partners, we are committed to stopping this deadly cycle of violence, and to making our communities safer."
Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti added, "When good, honest, hardworking people can't feel safe in their own neighborhoods, it's our job to do something about it. These defendants were responsible for a reign of terror across Broward County and their arrests send a strong message that this level of violence will not be tolerated."
Chief Melvin Standley, of the Miramar Police Department, stated, "Miramar will continue to aggressively pursue this fight through active street enforcement, investigative partnerships with law enforcement agencies, community education, and gang resistance training in our schools."
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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