Crips Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years for Racketeering Conspiracy in Nebraska

A violent member of the Crips gang was sentenced today to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release for participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving multiple acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults, witness tampering and drug distribution, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Robert C. Stuart of the District of Nebraska.

Dionte Dortch, aka “Killa Tay,” 24, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, one count of witness tampering, one count of attempted obstruction of justice and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to the plea agreement, Dortch admitted that he was a member of the Omaha-area chapter of the Crips known as the “40th Avenue Crips” and “44th Avenue Crips,” and that he personally committed acts of violence for the gang in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy. According to the plea, these acts of violence included an attempt to hire a hitman to kill a potential witness against him at trial in this case, shooting at a vehicle occupied by four individuals and using threats of violence to prevent a witness from testifying before a federal grand jury.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Omaha Police Department are investigating the case. Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Molsen of the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the case.