U.S. Marshals Capture Ohio Murder Suspect in Texas

Warren, OH – Early this afternoon, the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force (GCVOFTF) in Houston, TX, arrested murder suspect Tashawn “Boo” Walker. Walker, age 26, is wanted by the Warren Police Department for the murder of Richard Rollison that occurred this past Saturday. Walker apparently traveled from Texas to Warren to attend the funeral of his brother, Taemarr Walker, who died in a police involved shooting on Oct. 19. It is alleged that Walker shot and killed Rollison early Saturday morning and then fled the area, without attending the funeral of his brother, which occurred later that day.

On Saturday, the Warren Police Department requested the assistance of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) with locating and apprehending Walker. The NOVFTF worked on the investigation over the weekend. The NOVFTF conducted surveillance at the funeral and then developed solid leads in Texas. The NOVFTF passed along all information to the GCVOFTF in Houston earlier this morning.

The GCVOFTF immediately responded and began working the investigation in the area of Baytown, TX. The GCVOFTF located Walker at a residence located on Chandler Street in Baytown, TX. Walker was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, two firearms and a box of ammunition were found and seized as potential evidence. Walker will be held in Texas and await extradition to Ohio to face the murder charge.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said, “Our team worked quickly to capture this suspect and the results were outstanding. Great job by our task force members and the U.S. Marshals task force in Houston as they worked together to safely bring this fugitive to justice.”

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tip to TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Youngstown Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Boardman Township Police Department, Campbell Police Department, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, East Liverpool Police Department, Girard Police Department, Goshen Township Police Department, Hubbard Township Police Department, Leetonia Police Department, Lordstown Village Police Department, McDonald Village Police Department, New Waterford Police Department, Niles Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Salem Police Department, Springfield Township Police Department, Trumbull County Probation, Warren Police Department, Washingtonville Police Department and the Youngstown Police Department.

I'm actually all right - but Thanks For Asking

by Air Force Tech Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
JBER Public Affairs

10/25/2013 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The young Soldier didn't show up for physical training on time, as she did every other day. She missed formation. When she did show up for work, with a bruised face, she was quiet and withdrawn. Many of her fellow Soldiers looked - even stared - at her face. Time passed, and the day went on.

People went about their duties, still staring. Still wondering. Finally, one person walked up to the battered Soldier and had the courage to ask: "What's that on your face?"

The Soldier smiled and handed out a card, saying, "Thanks for asking!"

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Army and Air Force Family Advocacy offices on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson initiated a joint-service social experiment Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 to raise awareness of domestic violence and collect data to be used to combat it.

The experiment was called 'Thanks for Asking.'

Seventy Air Force and Army volunteers signed up to receive moulage simulating various domestic violence injuries.

The 'victims' went around common areas of the base and went to work without the unit being aware the injuries were simulated.

"Typically, we have information booths about domestic violence awareness and are there, live, giving out information," said Diann Richardson, Air Force JBER Family Advocacy Outreach manager. "Well, people walk past our live event with the domestic violence information and say 'thanks' or walk the other way. So, as a team we asked if this was really effective ... just standing here at the booths. The answer was no."

The Family Advocacy offices decided on a creative, realistic approach with the domestic violence issue.

They enlisted the aid of the Pacific Air Forces Air Force Medical Modeling and Simulation Training team and base leadership.

The 'Thanks for Asking' volunteers carried numerous cards explaining the campaign and highlighting domestic violence statistics and support options.

Family Advocacy told volunteers to miss formation, be late to work, adjust their normal behaviors and give other indicators to create concern, and to show up at work with the 'injuries' given to them by the moulage team.

If anyone approached them and asked if they were OK or what happened, then the 'victim' would hand out a 'Thanks for Asking' card and share some of the statistics and options for dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault.

Pfc. Talia Pitts, an Army volunteer, said she showed up late to work with visible bruising and her sergeants immediately reacted.

"First, I didn't go to PT this morning and it was unusual," Pitts said. "They were banging on my door and they called me. When I got to work, my [noncommissioned officers] found out and told our first sergeant. Our first sergeant called the military police. They did everything right. They were all very concerned."

JBER Military Police dispatch and hospital was aware of the campaign and likelihood of calls reacting to the volunteer's injuries.

Despite her unit's obvious concerns, Pitts found it to be a different story when she ventured outside her unit.

"It's amazing how everybody would look at me," Pitts said. "They were very concerned, but didn't say anything. They would just look at me. Some people asked my sergeants, but they didn't ask me."

Airman 1st Class Nicholas Key, an Air Force volunteer, had a personal reaction to participating and also experienced a contrast in reactions from those who saw him.
"Most of the people said something, mostly in a joking manner," Key said. "For a little while, it almost felt like I had this nasty transfiguration on my face, and I almost wanted to keep people from seeing it and bringing it up. It was almost embarrassing. However, it was nice when people saw it and recognized it as a problem. But when people saw it and didn't say anything, it was a bit hurtful."

Key said one person who approached him to see if he was OK, expressed, after learning of the experiment, that he was very hesitant to ask because he wasn't sure if Key would get angry about it and they would end up in a fight.

Richardson said the biggest apparent trend with this effort was that a greater number of people seemed more uncomfortable approaching women with an injury than with a male.

Key was waiting at the dining facility with his obvious 'injury' when he witnessed this pattern for himself.

"There was another Airman in line who was also in the experiment and had what I thought was a more obvious wound which had a bit of a cut in it," Key said.

"I thought for sure she was going to be asked if she was OK or if everything was all right."
Key said the female Airman waited in line among a bunch of Airmen. Since her food was served first, she cut in front of a portion of the line - yet no one said anything.

"It was kind of hard to deal with," Key said. "I almost took it personally to see that nobody said anything."

Officers and enlisted volunteers took part in the effort.

Air Force Col. Reba Harris, an Air Force volunteer and squadron commander, was moulaged with a very noticeable black eye and was intentionally late to a meeting. A variety of people stopped her on the way to ask if she was OK.

"Upon arriving to my meeting, everyone stood up for me ... rendering proper respects," Harris said. "Every jaw in the room dropped. I gave no eye contact, which is not my usual behavior. I put them at ease and asked them to sit down."

Harris said one NCO asked to talk to her in private in the ladies' room and asked if she was OK. She wanted to know if the commander needed any help.

Although not everyone who saw the various simulated volunteers' injuries asked a question, lots of people were prepared to assist or refer the 'victims' to medical help.
At the end of the day, the volunteers spoke about their experiences and gave
feedback on how people reacted to them.

Richardson said the realistic scenario was a pretty consistent test for men and women alike.

She said people had some pretty strong feelings when people let them down. Others told stories of extreme concern and immediate reaction.

The Family Advocacy offices conducted the campaign to answer a single question.
"Where are we?" Richardson asked. "Having experiments such as this, you want to gain information about where we are.

"We have assumptions and predictions, but to actually have someone walk into a shop with 50 people, with 50 cards in your hand and come back with 25 cards ... well, its basic math. Half the people asked, and half, not so much."

She said the experiment does not reveal why people didn't ask questions or intervene, so this was just for a baseline.

Richardson said the next step is to find out why people didn't ask.

"If you suspect it, you need to report it," Richardson said. "If someone walks into your shop with a black eye, or a mark on the back of their neck, or scrape marks ... it is important you say, 'Hey, what's wrong? What happened?'"

Harris agreed with the need to step in and ask questions, no matter who it is.

"I would tell them that it doesn't matter the rank of the person, or the position of the person," Harris said. "Especially if you know them and had seen them in the last few days and the bruises did not exist.

"Please walk up to anyone in that situation, male or female, and ask the question. 'Hi, how are you doing? What happened?' That is what I would say to anyone from a junior member to a four-star general."

Roll Call

Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.) and Michael Kannengieser, NYPD (ret.) conduct roll call:  A discussion on current issues in law enforcement, world-wide.

Program Date:  November 10, 2013

Program Time: 1600 hours, PACIFIC

Topic: Roll Call

Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2013/11/11/roll-call

About the Hosts

Raymond E. Foster retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after 24 years of service.   He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton.  Raymond has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and, was a faculty advisor and chair of the Criminal Justice Program at the Union Institute and University. Raymond, the author of nine books, has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One.

Michael J. Kannengieser is a retired New York City police officer who lives on Long Island, New York with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the Managing Editor for Fiction at The View from Here Magazine; a U.K. based literary publication. Currently, he is employed at a performing arts college as an Instructional Technology Administrator. He has been published at The View from Here, and in Newsday, a Long Island newspaper. Michael’s first novel, The Daddy Rock, a gripping police drama, was published by Decent Hill in 2012. Michael's new novel, Burning Blue, a dark, paranormal police drama is set to be released by Decent Hill on November 4, 2013.

Listen from the Archive:

http://www.hitechcj.com/americanheroesradio/roll_call.html

Program Contact Information

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA

editor@police-writers.com

909.599.7530

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/599109060128103

Rhode Island Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder and Robbery of Gas Station Manager

Jason W. Pleau, 35, of Providence, R.I., was sentenced today to life in prison for the murder and robbery of Woonsocket, R.I., gas station manager David D. Main.  Pleau chased, shot at close range and robbed Main on Sep. 20, 2010, as Main approached the doorstep of a Woonsocket bank where he was to have deposited receipts belonging to the gas station that he managed.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha of the District of Rhode Island; Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey; and Special Agent in Charge Vincent B. Lisi of the FBI’s Boston Field Office made the announcement following sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.

Pleau pleaded guilty on July 31, 2013, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; Hobbs Act robbery; and carrying, using, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a federal crime of violence resulting in death.

Co-defendant Jose A. Santiago, 36, formerly of Springfield, Mass., pleaded guilty on Sep. 5, 2013, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; Hobbs Act robbery; and carrying, using, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a federal crime of violence resulting in death.  Santiago is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2014.

A third defendant, Kelly Marie Lajoie, 35, formerly of Springfield, Mass., pleaded guilty on Dec. 9, 2011, to Hobbs Act conspiracy, aiding and abetting a Hobbs Act robbery, and use of a firearm during a federal crime of violence.  A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.

The matter was investigated by the Woonsocket Police Department, Rhode Island State Police and the FBI.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adi Goldstein and William J. Ferland of the District of Rhode Island and Trial Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss of the Criminal Division's Capital Case Section.

Puerto Rico Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2009 Mass Shooting

David Oquendo-Rivas, 29, was sentenced today to life in prison for his role in the murder of eight people and an unborn child during a mass shooting at a Puerto Rico nightclub in 2009.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez made the announcement.
Oquendo-Rivas and his co-defendant, Alexis Candelario-Santana, were convicted by a federal jury on March 8, 2013.  Oquendo-Rivas was convicted of 28 counts of committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity and nine counts of using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.  These offenses occurred on Oct. 17, 2009, in what became known as the “La Tómbola Massacre.”  Candelario-Santana was sentenced to life in prison on Aug. 28, 2013. 

According to the evidence presented at trial, Oquendo-Rivas was recruited by Candelario-Santana in 2009 to assist Candelario-Santana in reinstituting control over his drug trafficking organization, which operated principally in Sabana Seca, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.  The organization purchased drugs in bulk, processed and packaged the drugs, and sold them at Sabana Seca through numerous sellers, runners and enforcers under Candelario-Santana’s control.  The organization sold crack, cocaine, heroin and marijuana, and members of the organization routinely possessed firearms to protect its drug points.
On Oct. 17, 2009, the new leader of Candelario-Santana’s drug trafficking organization, who had displaced Candelario-Santana, held the grand opening of a nightclub he had rented and refurbished called La Tómbola, located in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, complete with a popular live band and a festive Paso Fino horse parade, known as a “cabalgata.”  The event was heavily attended, with families congregating inside and outside the establishment, most of whom had nothing to do with the drug trafficking organization and merely resided in the general area.  At approximately 11:50 p.m., Oquendo-Rivas, Candelario-Santana and others – all of whom were heavily armed – drove to La Tómbola. When they arrived, they immediately opened fire indiscriminately on all the patrons located outside, many of whom were women, children and elderly people.  Oquendo-Rivas and Candelario-Santana stormed into the La Tómbola, and Candelario-Santana was heard to yell “no one gets out alive” as they opened fire on the people inside. 

In all, eight people and an 8-month unborn child were killed as a result of the gunfire at La Tómbola, and 19 other victims were shot and injured.  The evidence introduced at trial demonstrated that 335 expended shell-casings were recovered from the La Tómbola crime scene.  The ballistics evidence established that three AK-47-type assault rifles, one AR-15-type assault rifle, eight 9mm semi-automatic pistols, three 40-caliber semi-automatic pistols, and two 45-caliber semi-automatic pistols were used in the attack.

 Oquendo-Rivas and another individual were discovered several days following the massacre with three pistols, one of which was scientifically matched to the La Tómbola massacre.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department, with the collaboration of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Instituto de Ciencias Forenses; and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice.  The case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney María Dominguez-Victoriano and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcela C. Mateo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Bruce R. Hegyi of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section.

Seeing is not always believing: The Black Eye Campaign

by Airman 1st Class Andrea Posey
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

10/16/2013 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- What would you do if you saw someone you knew with a large black eye? What if it was a stranger? Would you ask them if they were alright, where the bruise came from, or not ask them anything at all?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Family Advocacy team planned a secret event to raise awareness. They called it the Black Eye Campaign.

The campaign painted black eyes on volunteers. Then, they went about their day as normal as a test to see who would ask about the bruises. If prompted about the bruise, the volunteers gave out a fact card which read, "Thanks for asking..."

Capt. Reed Reichwald, 1st Special Operations Medical Group Family Advocacy chief led the even event which was planned to bring attention to Family Advocacy's mission -- to prevent or reduce the incidents of maltreatment on base.

"Unfortunately not all signs of domestic violence are as glaring as a black eye," Reichwald said. "It is on us to be vigilant when we see lesser signs or other indicators of domestic violence."

Reichwald said he was concerned with the reasons why Airmen do not react.

"We don't go out of our way to say something," he said. "Perhaps we're embarrassed and we're concerned we might embarrass someone else or that it's not our business."

Two volunteers were chosen to play battered women for the campaign.

First Lt. Erika Washington, 1st Special Operations Medical Group Mental Health social worker, is new to the medical group, so people do not know her relationship status, history or background. She traveled to various locations all day while in-processing with a black-eye.

Senior Airman Skye Escalera, 1st Special Operations Medical Group health benefits advisor, worked in the medical center with co-workers and clients all day with a black-eye.

Throughout the day, Washington and Escalera ran into many people.

"The only people who actually came up to me were the people I worked closely with," Escalera said. "But a lot of people in the clinic would walk by me and just keep going, trying not to make eye contact. For some people, it was like I had this infectious disease, it was really weird."

However, some people did ask.

"A lot of people came in my office wanting to beat my husband up," she said. "Some of my close co-workers were really concerned and got generally upset about my face. I also went to the child development center and everybody there was automatically like, 'Are you ok?'"

Washington said her experience was completely different.

"It was very interesting because yes they knew something was wrong," she said. "I could tell that they were very uncomfortable."

Washington said she walked outside and looked people straight in the eye.

"They would clearly see me, pause but say nothing and I could tell they were looking back after," she said. "The guy at the finance counter kept asking me about finance issues. He didn't want me to go. He was very nervous, dropping pens and looking at my eye. I wanted him to ask but he never did. I was disappointed."

Washington said two people asked about her black eye.

"One was early in the morning when I was walking down the stairs," she said. "A captain saw me and quickly touched my arm and asked if I was ok. It made me feel good. It was very nourishing just to hear it."

The second one happened later in the day, Washington said.

"When I went to readiness, I got a response from someone I had talked with last week who asked me right away if everything was ok," she said.

After the event, people said why they did or did not ask about the bruises.

Garren Medeiros, 1st Special Operations Medical Group medical records clerk, was one who asked about the black eye.

"Escalera works in my duty section and as I was walking passed her office I noticed she had a black eye," he said. "I immediately felt compelled to ask her what happened and if she was okay. We are co-workers and I was just simply concerned about her wellbeing. I did not jump to any conclusion as to what had happened to her; I simply wanted to know if she was alright."

However, Senior Airman Naomi Griego, 1st Special Operations Wing photojournalist, did not ask.

"I guess I was reluctant to ask about what had happened just given the environment where we were at," she said. "We were in a public place and there were other people around, other women. If it was something of a domestic dispute, I didn't want to put her in an uncomfortable position or bring something up that wasn't for public information."

As the Black Eye Campaign came to an end, Reichwald said the medical group learned from the experience.

"We got a lot of the result we anticipated," he said. "We fully expected that lots of folks would not say anything."

Because of the cultural differences between the volunteers, there were different insights as to why people did not report, according to Reichwald.

"Seeing is not always believing," he said. "I think when something like a black eye is in your face and you don't know what to do with that information, you almost un-see it. It doesn't fit with what you want to believe so you un-see it or you rationalize it. [You think] it's not your responsibility or someone else is going to deal with it."

Reichwald said he urges everyone to report incidents like this.

"Report it to a supervisor or a first sergeant within your unit," he said. "If you can talk to the person and learn there is violence going on, you can refer them to family advocacy."

For more information about domestic violence, call family advocacy at (850) 881-5061.

Louisiana Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Assault of Detainee

The Justice Department announced that former Jefferson Parish, La. Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Gary J. Shine pleaded guilty today before Federal District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle  to assaulting a detainee at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna, La., thereby depriving the detainee of his civil rights.  

                                      

During the plea hearing, Shine admitted that on Oct. 21, 2012, while he was working as a sergeant, he struck an inmate with his knee, while the inmate’s hands were cuffed behind his back.  Shine admitted that he also punched the inmate in the head.  Shine’s actions caused bruising.  Shine acknowledged that the inmate did not pose a threat to Shine or any other person, and that there was no legal justification for Shine to strike the inmate.  

 

“It is a federal crime for law enforcement officers to willfully use excessive force,” said Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that official misconduct is addressed fully and fairly.”

 

“The vast majority of our law enforcement officials serve with honor and integrity,” said Kenneth Polite, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “However, when someone abuses the power and privileges of his office, as Gary Shine did here, he will be held accountable.”

 

At sentencing, which is set for Jan. 22, 2014, Shine faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years of incarceration. 

 

This case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen C. Parker for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Home Invaders Arrested And Now Home Behind Bars

Fugitives Captured After Robbing A Man In His Home

San Antonio, TX – Pedro Silva, 46, and Samantha Cunningham, 24, were arrested last Friday by the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force (GCVOTF) in Galveston, TX. Arrest warrants were issued for Silva and Cunningham pursuant to an investigation by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), on charges involving aggravated robbery.

On October 9, 2013, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) was contacted by the WCSO for assistance in the search for Silva and Cunningham. Task force officers initiated an investigation and determined that Silva and Cunningham had previously fled from San Antonio, TX to Galveston, TX. Task force officers then contacted the GCVOTF for assistance in locating and apprehending Silva and Cunningham. Last Friday, members of the GCVOTF, through investigative efforts, determined that Silva and Cunningham were hiding out at an apartment in the 5600 block of Avenue R in Galveston, TX. Task force officers conducted a brief surveillance and observed Silva and Cunningham exiting the apartment. Task force officers made contact with Silva and Cunningham and took them into custody without incident. Incident to arrest, task force officers seized a .22 caliber handgun and multiple boxes of ammunition from Silva.

On October 2, 2013, Silva and Cunningham allegedly committed a home invasion in Stockdale, TX when they entered a residence, tied up the victim, and stole multiple items to include handguns and the victim’s car. On October 7, 2013, arrest warrants were issued for both Silva and Cunningham on charges involving aggravated robbery. Silva and Cunningham are currently being held in custody at the Galveston County Jail.

Silva has a violent criminal history to include homicide, assault, and evading arrest. Cunningham also has a violent criminal history to include assault. Silva is a confirmed member of the Texas Mexican Mafia and was also wanted on charges involving failure to register as a sex offender.

Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, stated, “To enter someone’s home, tie them up, and violate their space is a true disregard to not only personal property, but also human life. I’m thankful that the victim was not harmed in this potentially tragic crime and both fugitives were taken into custody without anyone being injured.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:

    New Braunfels Police Department

    San Antonio Police Department

    San Antonio Independent School District Police Department

    Bexar County Sheriff’s Office

    Comal County Sheriff’s Office

    Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office

    Bexar County District Attorney’s Office

    Texas Office of The Attorney General

    Texas Department of Public Safety

    Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Office of the Inspector General

    U.S. Marshals Service

Las Vegas Street Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison_for Racketeering, Murder, Firearm, and Drug Charges

A member of the Playboy Bloods street gang was sentenced today to life in prison for the retaliation murder of a man in November 2004 and the armed robbery of a Henderson, Nev., casino in 2002, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of the District of Nevada.

Jacorey Taylor, aka “Mo-B,” 30, who was convicted by a jury in May 2013, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones. Taylor was convicted of engaging in a racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity, using a firearm during a crime of violence, participating in a drug conspiracy, and possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.  He is the ninth gang member to be convicted out of 10 charged in a RICO indictment filed in 2008.  The remaining defendant, Markette Tillman, 31, is awaiting trial.

Taylor and co-defendants Reginald Dunlap, aka “Bowlie,” and Steven Booth, aka “Stevie-P,” were convicted of participating in the murder of Billy Ray Thomas, who was shot multiple times in the back on the morning of Nov. 1, 2004, as he worked on a car in the parking lot of the Pecos Terrace Apartments while waiting to take his girlfriend to work.  The defendants murdered Thomas due to their mistaken belief that Thomas was a member of a rival street gang.  According to evidence presented at trial, two car loads of Playboy Bloods members and associates, including Taylor, Dunlap, Booth and others, drove through known Crip neighborhoods searching for rivals to retaliate against for the murder of Quaza Burns, a leader of the Playboy Bloods.  The victim, Billy Ray Thomas, had no gang affiliation.

Evidence produced at trial also showed that on March 21, 2002, Taylor, armed with an AR-15 style assault rifle, and another man armed with an handgun entered the Klondike Casino in Henderson, forced their way behind the casino cage, and robbed the casino of over $7,000 in currency.
Dunlap and Booth pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges during Taylor’s trial and were each sentenced in April 2013 to 20 years in prison.  There is no parole in the federal criminal justice system.

According to court documents and evidence produced at trial, the Bloods are a nationally known criminal street gang whose members engage in drug trafficking and acts of violence.  The Playboy Bloods is a local “set” or affiliate of the Bloods, with local control and operation within the Las Vegas metropolitan area.  Other Bloods sets within the Las Vegas metropolitan area include the Piru Bloods and the West Coast Bloods.  A subset of the Playboy Bloods is the Full Throttle Clique, a group made up of Playboy Bloods members who engage in acts of violence, including murder.  According to evidence presented at trial, Taylor, Dunlap, and Booth were all members of the “Full Throttle Clique” of the Playboy Bloods.  Taylor, along with other Playboy Bloods enterprise members, operated drug houses in the Sherman Gardens Annex (also known as “The Jets”) and the surrounding areas. 
Eight other defendants who have been convicted and sentenced, as follows:
• Steven Booth, aka “Stevie-P,” 27, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and was sentenced to 20 years in prison on April 10, 2013
• Reginald Dunlap, aka “Bowlie,” 30, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and was sentenced to 20 years in prison on April 9, 2013
• Demichael Burks, aka “Mikey P,” 29, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and was sentenced to 6½ years in prison on Dec. 3, 2010
• Anthony Mabry, aka “Akim Slim,” 43, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Oct. 20, 2010
• Delvin Ward, aka “D-Luv,” 37, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Sept. 17, 2010
• Terrence Thomas, aka “Seven,” 40, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on June 16, 2010
• Sebastian Wigg, aka “Rock,” 36, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and was sentenced to five years in prison on March 29, 2010
• Fred Nix, aka “June P,” 36, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and was sentenced to five years in prison on March 29, 2010

 The cases were investigated by the FBI’s Las Vegas Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes officers from the North Las Vegas Police Department and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas D. Dickinson, and Phillip N. Smith, Jr., and Kevin L. Rosenberg, Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime and Gang Section.