Member of the Violent “Murdaland Mafia Piru” Bloods Gang Sentenced To 12 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering and Drug Conspiracies

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Jacob Bowling, a/k/a “Jakey,” age 32, of Baltimore, Maryland today to 12 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for racketeering and drug conspiracies related to his participation in the gang activities of the Murdaland Mafia Piru (MMP), a subset of the Bloods gang.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Interim Commissioner Gary Tuggle of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

“Federal, state, and local law enforcement worked together to identify and dismantle this criminal organization that dealt drugs and despair in Northwest Baltimore and Baltimore County,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We are committed to removing armed, violent criminals from our neighborhoods and bringing them to justice in the federal system, which has no parole—ever.”

“Investigating, arresting, and incarcerating criminals who use guns and violence to intimidate communities and commit violent crime is ATF’s focus here in Baltimore, a mission that our state and local law enforcement partners feel equally as strongly about,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada. “Anyone carrying guns on the streets of Baltimore to expand and defend drug territory should look to Jacob Bowling’s sentence as a lesson.”

According to Bowling’s plea agreement and court documents, MMP, also known as the “Mob” or “Mobsters,” is a violent subset of the Bloods gang that operates in Maryland and elsewhere.  MMP was modeled after the Italian Mafia, and was organized hierarchically, with “the Don,” at the top and various “Bosses,” “Underbosses,” “Capos,” “Lieutenants,” and “Mobsters” underneath.  For many years, MMP has controlled the drug trade in large swaths of Northwest Baltimore City and neighboring Baltimore County, including Forest Park, Windsor Mill, Gwynn Oak, Howard Park, Woodlawn, and Walbrook Junction.  The gang’s drug shop in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road was particularly lucrative due to its close proximity to Interstate 70, and it frequently attracted drug customers driving from Western Maryland and neighboring states.  MMP’s members enriched themselves through drug trafficking and other criminal activities, and by using violence and threats of violence to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses, protect the gang’s territories, enforce debts, and eliminate rivals.

Bowling was a member of MMP and participated in the gang’s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activities, including drug distribution.

Specifically, on May 9, 2016, Bowling and other MMP members attended the funeral of a murdered MMP member and draped a red banner emblazoned with the letters “MMP” over his casket.  Between June and August 2016, Bowling distributed a total of 106 grams of crack cocaine to confidential informants who were wearing audio-visual recording devices.  In August 2016, law enforcement obtained a wiretap for Bowling’s cell phone and overheard him discussing drug and gang business with other MMP members.  During another call, an individual told Bowling that he had found Bowling’s gun in the couch and removed it to a cabinet.  Bowling told the person to be careful because the firearm was loaded “with one in the nose.”  In another call, Bowling received a call from a MMP member who was in prison, telling him that another incarcerated MMP member wanted an individual to “get sanctioned” because he had not put money on the incarcerated MMP member’s account, as promised.  Bowling replied, “Alright, say no more.  I’m gonna take care of that.”

On September 27, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Bowling’s residence and recovered a 9mm caliber magazine, small ziplock baggies, a digital scale and razor blade, and photographs of Bowling with other MMP members.

Finally, Bowling conspired with other MMP members to distribute at least one kilogram of heroin and 280 grams of crack cocaine.

In addition to Bowling, eighteen of twenty-six defendants have pleaded guilty in the case.  Trial for the remaining defendants is scheduled for March 18, 2019.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF, the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Offices for their work in the investigation and prosecution.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Christina Hoffman and Lauren E. Perry, who are prosecuting the case.