CHARLOTTE, NC — A federal indictment charges 12 alleged gang members of United Blood Nation with racketeering conspiracy, including seven who are charged with murder, aid of racketeering and related firearms violations, according to authorities.
Those facing the murder, aid of racketeering and firearms violations are eligible for the death penalty, officials said.
“The individuals charged today have alleged ties to a ruthless street gang that uses fear, intimidation, and even murder to protect the interests of their criminal organization,” said Acting Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose. “My Office will work closely with our law enforcement partners, in North Carolina and across state lines, to identify and prosecute violent gang offenders and deliver justice to victims of gang violence.”
The indictment names the following defendants:
- Jamell Lamon Cureton a/k/a “Assassin,” a/k/a “Murda Mel,” 22, of Charlotte.
- Nana Yaw Adoma a/k/a “Ratchet,” 20, of Charlotte
- David Lee Fudge a/k/a “Flames” a/k/a “Flame,” 22, of Pineville, N.C.
- Daquan Everett a/k/a “Day Day,” 20, of Charlotte.
- Randall Avery Hankins, II a/k/a “Foe,” 20, of Charlotte.
- Malcolm Jarrel Hartley a/k/a “Silent” a/k/a “Bloody Silent,” 21, of Charlotte.
- Nehemijel Maurice Houston a/k/a “Mijel” a/k/a “Swagg Out,” 20 of Charlotte.
- Briana Shakeyah Johnson a/k/a “Breezy B” a/k/a “Breezy V” 19, of Concord, N.C.
- Ibn Rashaan Kornegay a/k/a “IB,” 35, of Greenville, N.C.
- Centrilia Shardon Leach a/k/a “CeCe,” 31, of Charlotte
- Ahkeem Tahja McDonald a/k/a “Lil Keem” a/k/a “Savage,” 21, of Charlotte
- Rahkeem Lee McDonald a/k/a “Hitman” a/k/a “Big Keem,” 22, of Charlotte
Officials said the 12 defendants were members of the “United Blood Nation,” a criminal enterprise commonly known as “UBN,” or the “Bloods.”
In addition to the racketeering conspiracy charge, Cureton, Fudge, Hankins, Hartley, Johnson and Rahkeem McDonald are charged with two counts of murder in aid of racketeering and two counts of use or carry of a firearm related to the October 2014 murders of Douglas and Deborah London.
Hartley faces two additional charges of possession of a firearm by a felon.
“The murder of a witness is more than just a violent assault calculated to shut down a prosecution,” said Solicitor Kevin Brackett, “it is an attack on the rule of law. It indicates a degree of contempt for the criminal justice system that deserves society’s harshest penalty.”
The unsealed indictment also charges Cureton and Ahkeem McDonald with one count of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of use or carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death in connection with the August 2013 murder of Kwamne Donqurius Clyburn.
Cureton, Adoma and Fudge are also charged with one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity, and one count of use or carry a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a firearm for the May 2014 armed robbery of the Pineville area mattress store owned by Douglas and Deborah London.
The gang members operated according to a common set of Bloods’ rules, also known as “The 31,” followed the gang’s ranking system, used the communication codes and language affiliated with the gang, and used distinctive markings, tattoos and colors to indicate allegiance to the gang, officials said.
The defendants also regularly participated in gang meetings, during which they collected gang dues, planned actions against individuals suspected of cooperating with law enforcement, discussed the commission of crimes to include robbery and murder, and made plans to obstruct justice and to prevent the prosecution of other UBN gang members, among others, according to officials.
These are the facts and circumstances surrounding this case, officials stated.
- On May 25, 2014, Cureton, Adoma and Fudge robbed “The Mattress Warehouse,” located in Pineville, N.C.
- Cureton committed the robbery at gun point, while Adoma served as the lookout man and Fudge the getaway driver.
- During the robbery, Cureton and Douglas London exchanged gunfire, Cureton was injured and the three conspirators fled the scene.
- Cureton sought medical treatment at an area hospital and was arrested on state charges related to the robbery.
- A criminal indictment bringing federal armed robbery and related charges against Cureton and Adoma was filed in Charlotte on November 18, 2014.
- On January 21, 2015, Fudge was added as a third defendant for his role the robbery.
- Over the next five months, the defendants exchanged correspondence and conducted numerous in-person and telephonic gang meetings, during which they discussed and planned the murder of Douglas London, the only eyewitness to the robbery.
- On October 23, 2014, Johnson drove Hartley to South Carolina, where Hartley shot and killed Douglas and Deborah London at their home.
- Shortly after, Cureton ordered the gang to remain silent about the Londons’ murders.
- Kornegay also conducted a telephone gang meeting with other UBN gang members, during which he directed them to lay low to avoid contact with law enforcement.
The indictment further charges Cureton and Ahkeem McDonald with the murder of Kwamne Donqurius Clyburn.
According to the indictment, on or about August 22, 2013, the two gang members shot and killed Kwamne Clyburn for “false claiming,” that is, claiming to be a United Blood Nation member when he was not.
Nine defendants are currently in federal custody and had their initial appearances in Charlotte today. Law enforcement arrested Kornegay in Greenville and he appeared in federal court in Raleigh. Hartley and Johnson will be extradited from South Carolina in the coming days.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.