Charges Include 10 Murders, Drug Distribution, Kidnapping
And Witness Intimidation
A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment
charging 10 defendants with conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering
enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG). The superseding indictment, which was
returned on June 30, 2017 and unsealed today, charges 10 alleged TTG gang
members and TTG associates with conspiring to violate federal racketeering and
drug trafficking laws. Four defendants are also charged with committing murder
in aid of racketeering. Twelve defendants, including all 10 defendants charged
in the RICO count, are also charged with conspiracy to distribute and
possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Four
defendants are charged with distribution and possession with intent to
distribute heroin; two are charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance
of a drug trafficking crime and with possession of a firearm by a felon.
The indictment was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney
General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting
U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent
in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner
Kevin Davis of the Baltimore Police Department; and Special Agent in Charge
Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Baltimore Field Division.
According to the ten-count indictment, the defendants are
members of Trained To Go (TTG), a criminal organization whose members engaged
in drug distribution and acts of violence involving murder, kidnapping,
assault, robbery, and witness intimidation. TTG operated in the Sandtown neighborhood
of West Baltimore. Members and associates of TTG sold narcotics, including
heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to
control who sold narcotics in TTG territory. The murders, assaults, and
kidnappings included that of rival gang members, rival drug dealers, and
individuals cooperating with law enforcement, as well as engaging in
murder-for-hire schemes. As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that
a conspirator would commit at
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe
Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which included five Baltimore City Police
Officers.
The following defendants, all of Baltimore, are charged in
the indictment unsealed today:
Montana Barronette, a/k/a Tana, and Tanner, age 22;
Terrell Sivells, a/k/a Rell, age 26;
John Harrison, a/k/a Binkie, age 27;
Taurus Tillman, a/k/a Tash, age 28;
Linton Broughton, a/k/a Marty, age 24;
Dennis Pulley, a/k/a Denmo, age 30;
Roger Taylor, a/k/a Milk, age 26;
Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 23;
Brandon Bazemore, a/k/a Man Man, age 24;
Timothy Floyd, a/k/a Tim Rod, age 27
Hisaun Chatman, age 31; and
James Woodfolk, age 20.
The indictment alleges that between May 20, 2010 and May 25,
2016, the defendants committed acts of violence, including 10 murders, and one
non-fatal shooting. The violent acts were intended to further the gang’s
activities, including intimidating witnesses to prevent them from cooperating
with law enforcement, protecting the gang’s drug territory, and for the purpose
of maintaining and increasing their position within the organization.
Ten defendants have been detained, one defendant is under
supervision with pretrial services and the whereabouts of Roger Taylor are
unknown.
Anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Roger
Taylor is asked to contact the FBI- Baltimore Field office at (410) 265-8080.
FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is
responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the
Baltimore metropolitan area. The squad utilizes drug and violent crime
investigations to address gang violence and the associated homicides in
Baltimore, MD. The vision of the program is to use the Enterprise Theory of
Investigation (ETI), through criminal and civil provisions of RICO Act and in
accordance with the FBI and Department of justice national strategies, to
disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal
enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our
communities. The FBI Baltimore Violent Crimes Gangs Task Force includes FBI
special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County and
Anne Arundel County Police Departments.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual
charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at
some later criminal proceedings.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Baltimore City Police
Department, and the ATF. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S.
Attorneys Matt Sullivan, Christopher J. Romano and Daniel Gardener, and Trial
Attorney John C. Hanley of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang
Section.
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