MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO/WCCO) – Multiple law enforcement agencies at both the federal and local level announced a crackdown on gang activity in the Twins Cities.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger made the announcement Wednesday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Luger was joined by Steven Dettelbach, the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
The goal is a takedown of violent street gangs as part of a federal violent crime strategy. There have been indictments issued against 45 members of two separate gangs. There were also seizures of both drugs and weapons.
28 members of the Highs and Lows gang, which mostly operates in North Minneapolis, have been charged. 17 members of the Bloods, operating in South Minneapolis, were also charged.
Luger said more charges against other gang members will be coming.
“To be clear, there will be more cases after this,” Luger said. “The indictments allege how long each gang existed and operated.”
According to Luger, they are using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) act to prosecute members of the gangs.
The FBI used the RICO act to pursue members of the Mafia in the 1970s.
The goal, according to Luger, is to dismantle gangs and make it more expensive to join gangs in Minneapolis.
“Rather than trying one crime at a time, all crimes that fit the RICO statute are tried together,” Luger said. “It carries its own set of penalties including life in prison for gang members that commit murder.”
There are 20 shootings and seven murders included in Wednesday’s announced indictments, stemming from crimes going back to 2016. Luger said all but two of the indicted individuals are in custody.
Luger said this is the first time the RICO Act has been used against gangs in Minnesota. When Luger was announced as U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, they formed the Federal Violent Crime Initiative in Minneapolis to focus on cutting crime in the community.
“Today, we have cut down on the street gang violence in Minneapolis,” Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite said. “I am confident through our continuing work, we can continue to build stronger, safer communities.”
Luger said the ATF took the lead in the investigation of the Highs and Lows, with the FBI investigating the Bloods.
“What you’re looking at is a kind of prosecutorial dream team for law-abiding people of Minneapolis,” Dettelbach said. “For the law breakers, they are a nightmare.”
At least 150 people have been shot in Minneapolis and St. Paul so far this year.
“Community members are sharing their concern, their stress, and level of concerns around the community. We hear those concerns,” Witt said. “We’re going to give Minneapolis what it deserves, which is peace and justice.”
Luger gave credit to Minneapolis Police for their support. He said they were essential in the investigations.
“In Minneapolis, we know that it is a small group of people responsible for the violent crime that is out here pulling triggers and causing immense grief and harm in our communities,” O’Hara said. “This violence left unchecked is a public health crisis. There is nothing normal about the outrageous levels of violence in these indictments. We will not stand by and let a small group of individuals level our community and terrify our neighbors.”
O’Hara added that they will continue to embed Minneapolis Police Officers with the FBI and ATF agents in order to pursue future cases.
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